Energy Efficient Air Con Buying Guide

Choosing the most energy efficient air conditioner

Did you know that according to Solar Victoria heating and cooling appliances can use up to 40% of your household energy1? It’s important that you do your research before buying one as choosing an energy efficient air conditioner will help you save on energy bills. For more information on purchasing the perfect air conditioner check out our Air Conditioner Buying Guide.

Energy Rating

When shopping for an air conditioner for your home, make sure you check the energy star rating before making a purchase. More stars mean higher energy efficiency which could help you save on overall running costs in the long term.

Consumption

The air conditioning star rating label normally includes the energy consumption figure, which tells you the expected energy use in kilowatt/hour per year, so you can easily compare different models and choose an air conditioner that uses the least amount of energy.

Suits the space

To avoid buying a model that’s unsuitable for the space, it is recommended that you seek professional advice and calculate the cooling load using an online calculator to work out your cooling requirements before deciding on a model.

• Buying an air conditioner that’s unsuitable for the space would mean the room won’t cool properly or energy will be wasted.

• Bigger isn’t always best – a big air conditioner in a small room uses more power turning on and off than a small unit running for longer.

• For small rooms less than 20sqm, a portable unit works well, but this air conditioning model doesn’t suit larger rooms.

• For rooms less than 50sqm, a window wall unit is sufficient, but this model is less energy efficient than a fixed split system.

• For areas larger than 50sqm, a split system air conditioner is the best option.

Controls

• A thermostat and/ or a timer gives you the ability to control the room temperature for maximum comfort and bill savings.

• The thermostat should be located in a frequently used room, away from the heating and cooling unit.

• Some air conditioning models automatically switch off when the desired temperature has been reached to save energy.

• Each extra degree of air conditioning can increase the running cost by up to 10%, so set the thermostat at the highest comfortable temperature to minimise energy use and maximise your bill savings.

Considerations when choosing an Energy Efficient Air Conditioner

Cycles & options

Fans

• Some models can heat and cool to keep you comfortable all year long.

• Portable desktop, floor, tower, or table models can easily be moved from room to room, whereas the fixed fans are installed in ceilings or walls.

• Compare the power consumption figure and air flow rate of different fans to help you select the most energy efficient unit.

Air Conditioners

• A portable air conditioning is the easiest model to install – just plug it in to a power socket, install the venting hose using the window kit and regularly empty the water condenser. Single duct portables work well in most rooms, however the portable split systems are more effective and efficient.

• A window/ wall unit is normally fitted into an external wall hole or place on a window sill.

• A split system air conditioning provides the most energy efficient cooling solution and can be floor or wall mounted. It’s very quiet as the compressor is placed outside up to 15 metres away. Multiple split systems give you the ability to run multiple units using one compressor. Reverse cycle split systems have cooling and heating modes for low cost, optimum home comfort all year long.

Cooling choices

• Ceiling, pedestal and personal fans

• Electric reverse-cycle air conditioners

• Electric evaporative cooling

• Intake of cool night air

• Purging of hot air

What is a star rating?

The star rating is about energy efficiency – that is, how much energy a product uses compared to similar products. More stars means more efficient, when compared to other models of a similar size and features. The more stars shown on the Energy Rating Label, the less energy the product will use and the more money you will save on your energy bills.Non-ducted household air conditioners must carry a Zoned Energy Rating Label. The previous Energy Rating Label is being phased out in 2025, so some appliances may still display it.Most products are given between 1 and 6 stars. Technology keeps getting better as does energy efficiency! This is why nowadays you’ll see some super-efficient models in shops and online with an extra row for stars that go up to 10. For more information on how to estimate your running costs, go to the Energy Rating Website.

How to read the zoned energy rating label

The only heating and cooling appliances in Australia to have mandatory energy efficiency requirements are air conditioners. There are four parts to the label.

1. There are three climate zones - hot, average and cold. This energy rating calculator will help find your climate zone so you can select and appliance that performs best in your location.

2. The red star rating shows the heating energy efficiency, the blue star rating shows the cooling energy efficiency. The more stars, the more energy efficient.

3. Estimated annual energy use in kilowatt hours (kWh) is displayed on the right of the label for both heating and cooling

4. Noise indicators at the bottom show the volume in decibels (dB (A)) of the air conditioner.

For more information, go to the Energy Rating Website.