It’s no secret that the weather has taken a turn for the chilly.
Watch: Outdoor heating options
And while there are only so many layers you can comfortably wear, many of us turn to heaters to stay warm during winter.
Reverse cycle air conditioning: tips and mistakes to avoid
That said, there a few minor mistakes people make when running their reverse cycle air conditioner in winter that could cost money.
What is the best temperature for aircon in Australia in winter?
Speaking to ABC Every Day, Xiaolin Wang, a senior lecturer in engineering who specialises in heating systems at the Australian National University, explains an air conditioning unit actually sucks heat from outside your home to warm it.
“Theoretically, if you ran your aircon at 25 degrees when it was 25 degrees outside, it wouldn’t cost you anything,” she said.
“[Whereas] if you want 25 degrees [inside] but outside it’s -2, it’s running very hard, at a low efficiency.”
As a result, Dr Wang told the publication the optimum temperature to set your air conditioner to during winter is between 18 and 22 degrees.
On the other hand, consumer advocacy group CHOICE agrees that reverse cycle air conditioners are one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to heat your home. But they recommend a different strategy for setting the ideal temperature in winter.
“To give you optimal warmth for the lowest price, you should again stick to a difference of about 8°C between the temperature on your reverse cycle air conditioner and the outside temperature.”
Will turning your air con on and off save you money?
While you might feel like you’ll save money, turning your air conditioner on and off multiple times during the day is less efficient than leaving it to run at a lower temperature for longer.
Dr Wang told the ABC, when you heat your home for a while and then turn off the heater, the temperature inside the house will drop. If you turn the heater back on later to warm up the home again, your air conditioner will have to work harder to bring the temperature back up to the desired level.
She also recommends avoiding the auto setting on your air con for the same reason. Stopping and starting will cost you more money in the long run, and no one wants that.
You might also like:
9 best energy efficient portable heaters
5 unique ways to keep warm without turning the temperature up
5 heating options that will warm up your outdoor living area
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