HOW TO USE YOUR AIR CONDITIONER DURING A HEATWAVE

When temperatures climb into the high 30s, your air conditioner is going to be working harder than usual. But there are some simple things you can do to help your cooling system keep your home comfortable and run as efficiently as possible.

The key is to get ahead of the heat rather than waiting until your home is already roasting.

1. Turn your air conditioner on early

One of the biggest mistakes you can make during a heatwave is waiting until the afternoon to turn your air conditioner on.

By then, your walls, floors, furniture and other surfaces have had hours to absorb heat, making your system work much harder to bring the temperature back down.

Instead, turn your cooling on in the morning, before the outside temperature reaches its peak.

Starting with a cooler home allows your air conditioner to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the day rather than constantly playing catch-up.

If you have smart control, you can make this even easier by scheduling your system to turn on automatically or switching it on remotely before you arrive home.

2. Keep the sun out

Your air conditioner isn't the only thing keeping your home cool. Your blinds and curtains can do a lot of the work too.

During a heatwave, keep blinds, curtains and shutters closed on windows that receive direct sunlight, particularly during the hottest parts of the day.

If you have external blinds or awnings, use them too. Preventing the sun from hitting your windows in the first place can help reduce the amount of heat entering your home.

It's a simple step, but the less heat entering your home, the less work your air conditioner needs to do.

3. Set a comfortable temperature and let your system maintain it

When it's extremely hot outside, it can be tempting to turn your air conditioner all the way down in an attempt to cool the house faster.

Setting the temperature extremely low doesn't necessarily mean your home will cool faster. Instead, choose a comfortable temperature and allow your system to maintain it.

Running your air conditioner consistently can be more effective than repeatedly switching it on and off or waiting until the house becomes very hot before turning it on.

During a heatwave, it's also normal for your air conditioner to run for longer periods. It's responding to the greater difference between the temperature inside your home and the temperature outside.

4. Keep the cool air where you want it

If you're using a refrigerated air conditioner, such as a split system or ducted reverse cycle system, keep your doors and windows closed as much as possible.

Every time hot outside air enters your home, your air conditioner has to work to remove that heat again.

With a single split system, this is particularly important. If you're cooling one living area or bedroom, keeping the door closed can help the system concentrate its cooling where you need it.

For ducted systems, zoning can also help. Rather than cooling the entire house when you only need certain areas, you can focus your cooling on the spaces you're actually using.

5. Reduce the heat you're creating inside

During a heatwave, think about what's generating heat inside your home too.

The oven and stovetop can add a surprising amount of heat to your kitchen, while lights, televisions and other appliances also contribute.

Where practical, try to:

• Avoid using the oven during the hottest part of the day

• Use smaller appliances instead

• Turn off lights and appliances you're not using

• Use ceiling fans to help circulate cool air

You don't need to change everything about how you use your home. Even reducing a few sources of unnecessary heat can make it easier for your air conditioner to maintain a comfortable temperature.

6. Check your air conditioner's filters

A heatwave isn't the ideal time to discover that your air conditioner's filters are clogged with dust.

Dirty filters can restrict airflow and make your system work harder than it needs to.

Before summer, and regularly throughout the cooling season, check and clean your split system filters according to the manufacturer's instructions.

If you've cleaned the filters but your air conditioner is still struggling to cool the room, there could be another issue that needs professional attention.

What about evaporative cooling during a heatwave?

If you have evaporative cooling, you may notice that it behaves quite differently during extreme weather.

Evaporative cooling works by using water to cool air before distributing it through your home. Unlike refrigerated air conditioning, it relies on fresh outside air flowing through the system, which means windows or doors need to be open to allow air to move through the house.

Evaporative cooling can be a great option in Bendigo's generally dry summer climate. However, during certain heatwave conditions, it may struggle to deliver the same level of cooling as a refrigerated split or ducted reverse cycle system.

If you're finding that your evaporative cooler isn't keeping your home comfortable during extreme heat, it may be worth considering whether a refrigerated air conditioning system would better suit your needs.

What if my air conditioner is still struggling?

If your air conditioner is running but your home isn't getting cool, there are a few possible reasons.

The system may not be appropriately sized for the space, your home could be gaining a significant amount of heat through windows or poor insulation, or the system may need a service or repair.

It's also worth remembering that extreme weather puts every cooling system under more pressure. If your system normally performs well but struggles during particularly severe heat, that doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong.

However, if you're regularly finding that your home is difficult to cool, it's worth having your system assessed.

If your current cooling system isn't keeping up, or you're considering upgrading to a more efficient split system or ducted reverse cycle system, Holloway Air & Electrical can help.

We supply, install, service and repair cooling systems across Bendigo and surrounding areas.

Need help keeping your home cool this summer? Get in touch with Holloway Air & Electrical today.