Air conditioners play a crucial role in keeping us cool and comfortable during summer and warm in winter. However, several questions arise when it comes to choosing, using, and maintaining an air conditioner. We have asked our Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Experts to help answer some of your most common questions about air conditioners.
What type of air conditioner is best suited to my home?
If you’re looking for an air conditioning system that suits your individual needs, you should consider various factors such as the size of the space, your budget, lifestyle, and personal preferences.
Due to their low cost and installation flexibility, wall-mounted split systems are a fantastic option for heating and cooling commonly used spaces, such as the living room or bedroom. Alternatively, a ducted air conditioning system may be more suitable if you require cooling or heating throughout the home. Ducted air conditioning has the option of dividing your home into zones with a zone controller, saving energy and money by only air conditioning the areas being used.
If you need help deciding which type of system to choose, your local Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Dealer can provide knowledgeable advice to help you make an informed decision.
What size air conditioner do I need for my space?
When considering your air conditioning needs, it’s essential to investigate the capacity (measured in kW) required to cool the intended space sufficiently. This is done by conducting a Heat Load Calculation, which factors in various aspects such as the number of rooms, orientation, size, insulation material, window size and type, occupancy profile, air tightness, etc. By performing this calculation, an air conditioning specialist can help you select the right system for your home.
Installing a system that has a capacity below the required capacity (or under capacity) will tend to result in the system running at full capacity for an extended period, which may consequently increase electrical power consumption and overall operating costs. It may also fail to cool the room adequately if the capacity is significantly lower than the space requires. If you require assistance, Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Dealers are air conditioning specialists trained to select the right air conditioning system for your home. You can easily find your nearest dealer here https://www.mitsubishielectric.com.au/find-a-stockist/
How can I choose an energy-efficient air conditioner to help reduce electricity costs?
Look for air conditioners with high energy efficiency ratings and inverter technology. Air conditioners in Australia are rated using ZERL ratings. ZERL makes it simple to select the most energy-efficient split system air conditioner for your home. The rating system divides the continent into three different climate zones (hot, average and cold), allowing you to quickly identify and compare air conditioners based on location. The more stars there are, the more efficient the air conditioner will be.
More information on reducing your cooling energy consumption can be found in the blog ‘Be Summer Prepared’.
What is the ideal temperature to set for my air conditioner?
According to research conducted by Mitsubishi Electric for the 2021 Healthy Homes Trends Report1, Australians voted the perfect room temperature for an average summer day to be 21 degrees – Mitsubishi Electric recommends setting the room temperature to 23 degrees in summer for optimal energy efficiency.
Are there any special features that I need to look for?
The beneficial features of an air conditioner can vary based on individual needs and usage. However, some more useful features include Wi-Fi Control, Dual Barrier Coating, Night Mode and Quiet Operation.
Wi-Fi Control – With Wi-Fi Control2 technology as an added option, you can connect your Mitsubishi Electric air conditioner to your smartphone, tablet, or online account, enabling you to remotely control it via an internet connection. This is particularly useful if you want your room to be at the perfect temperature when you arrive home or if you have forgotten to turn it off when you have gone out.
Dual Barrier Coating – Dirt and dust are among the biggest enemies of air conditioners as they can slow down the machine and make it difficult to heat or cool the room. Fortunately, the Mitsubishi Electric AP Series has a solution to this problem. This series uses Dual Barrier Coating on the heat exchanger and internal surfaces, which helps reduce the amount of dust and greasy dirt that adheres to the unit. This technology, designed by Mitsubishi Electric, allows the unit to stay cleaner for longer and makes cleaning the unit easier.
Night mode – is a helpful feature that can be selected through the remote control of a wall-mounted split system and is designed to improve comfort while sleeping. This mode works by decreasing the LED brightness on the indoor unit, disabling alert beeps, and reducing the operational noise levels of the outdoor unit by up to 3dB. Doing so helps ensure a more peaceful and comfortable sleeping environment.
Quiet operation – Achieving true comfort is not only about achieving the perfect temperature but also about reducing noise levels. The Quiet Mode feature helps to reduce the internal fan’s noise levels so you can read, sleep and relax in peace.
Can I use my air conditioner as a heater during winter?
Most Mitsubishi Electric air conditioner models are reverse cycle, except for a few cooling-only split system models available in the NT and Far North Queensland. Reverse cycle air conditioning is a good option for many homes. Depending on the weather, it can heat or cool a room or space, eliminating the need to own an air conditioner and separate heater.
How can I maintain and clean my air conditioner to ensure optimal performance?
Whether you have a ducted or a split system, regular maintenance of your home’s air conditioning system will help improve its performance and extend its life span. To ensure your system is operating with maximum efficiency, it is recommended that you clean your unit as instructed by the manufacturer and have it serviced regularly.
The most important thing you can do to get the most out of your air conditioner is to clean the filters regularly. Cleaning the dust and fluff out of the filters allows the air to flow freely through the air conditioner without having it labour and work harder to do its job. It also ensures the air produced is cleaner for your household. Refer to our simple guide for instructions on how to clean your filters if you need some tips.
What is the expected cost of operating an air conditioner in terms of electricity usage?
To estimate and compare the running costs of different air conditioner models, the Australian Government provides a helpful Energy Rating website. This website is a great resource that allows you to search and compare energy-efficient air conditioner models for your home. By providing estimated running costs for each product, the website helps you find the best option for your budget and energy-saving needs.
How can I reduce the energy costs associated with my air conditioner?
There are several ways to help make your air conditioner use more energy-efficient. Try to follow the tips below:
- Set it to an ideal room temperature of 22°C or 23°C. Or if you’re willing to tolerate a slightly warmer temperature, setting it to 24-25°C can help reduce power consumption.
- Close doors to unused warmer rooms, as the heat from those rooms can move to cooler, air-conditioned spaces and put more strain on your air conditioner
- Keeping windows covered by closing blinds and curtains can help keep much of the harsh summer heat out of your home, especially if you have west-facing windows.
- Regularly clean air conditioning filters
- Use Wi-Fi Control with remote access to turn it on before you get home or check if it’s off after you leave.
As a trusted manufacturer of air conditioning systems in Australia, we are dedicated to providing expert advice and innovative solutions for your cooling and heating needs. By addressing these common questions, we hope to assist you in making informed decisions and enjoying energy-efficient and reliable air conditioning that keeps you comfortable throughout the year. Feel free to reach out to our knowledgeable network of Diamond Dealers for further assistance and personalised recommendations at https://www.mitsubishielectric.com.au/find-a-stockist/
*1 Mitsubishi Electric 2021 Healthy Home Trends Report
*2 Optional Wi-Fi adapter required per unit. Requires an internet connection and the App downloaded on your smartphone or tablet with the latest operating system available.
