Air conditioners: guidelines for use in public housing

How to use your air conditioner to keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter

Your air conditioner is designed to heat and cool your living area only. It has been selected to be energy efficient, reliable, and easy to operate and maintain.

In summer aim to keep the temperature 23°C - 26°C.

In winter aim to keep the temperature 18°C - 21°C.

Using temperatures outside of these ranges will:

• increase your energy bills
• cause unnecessary wear and tear on your air conditioner.

Your air conditioner has temperature sensors that will maintain the temperature you've chosen on your wall control panel.

Your wall control panel has been pre-set to operate your air conditioner within the following temperature ranges:

• Cool: 20°C to 32°C
• Heat: 16°C to 24°C
• Auto: 20°C to 24°C.

How can I stay cool in summer?

Stay cool in summer by:

• keeping internal doors closed to minimise the area you need to cool.
• using your fan first.
• closing curtains and blinds during the day.
• opening windows at night to let the cool breeze in.

How can I stay warm in winter?

Stay warm in winter by:

• trying a jumper and a blanket before turning on the unit.
• using a ceiling fan to move warm air around your home.
• closing curtains and doors to keep the heat inside your home.
• using door snakes to stop draughts.

Remember: Do not leave your air conditioner running overnight or when no one is home (it will drive your electricity bills up!).

Keeping you and your air conditioner healthy

Your air conditioner has a filter and pre-filters. These filters remove dust and particles to ensure that only clean air is blown into your living room.

If the filter and pre-filters are full of dust, then:

• air flow will decrease
• cooling capacity will decrease
• it may also become noisy.

Pre-filters require regular cleaning. It is your responsibility to clean the pre-filters at least once a month. It’s really easy.

Follow these 3 steps:

1. Remove the pre-filter from the indoor unit. Do this by:
   1. opening the front panel
   2. gently lifting it from the filter frame.

2. Vacuum the dust from the pre-filter using a vacuum cleaner. If dust remains, rinse the pre-filter under running water and gently brush it with a soft brush. Do not use detergents or hot water to clean the pre-filter. Let the pre-filter dry in the shade.

3. When dry, re-insert the pre-filter into the filter frame, making sure that the ‘FRONT’ mark is facing you. Close the front panel by gently pushing it at both sides and the middle.

When to use your air conditioner without driving costs up

When the sun is up

Use your air conditioner on hot sunny days when your solar panels are producing free energy for you.

When the sun is down

Electricity is generally cheaper when the sun is down. Before 7am and after 10pm it can be around 50% cheaper. Electricity charges can vary based on:

• your electricity tariff (Single Rate or Time of Use)
• discounts offered by your energy retailer.

How much will my air conditioner cost to run?

Running cost will vary depending on:

• your electricity tariff
• how often and when you use it
• how cold or warm you like your living area
• how well you maintain your air conditioner.