Heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) have gained considerable attention in Australia due to their energy efficiency, cost saving potentials, and […]
Can you believe that close to 50% of your energy bills are due to your home heaters and coolers?
The Australian Department of Energy confirms this especially for homeowners using traditional home heaters and coolers. These are power guzzlers, which in addition to increasing your power bill, put enormous demand on most power plants that mainly rely on fossil fuels.
This leads to more greenhouse gasses emission and more harm to the environment!
Fortunately, we have the chance to purchase and install pocket-friendly and environmentally-consciousness units thus avoiding the above challenges associated with conventional heaters and coolers.
The main challenge is how to find and select the right ones in a market flooded with options. But worry not – this guide will walk you through various tips that can help you make the right decision.
Energy Efficiency
When looking for the best heating and cooling system, make sure you pay close attention to energy efficiency. Go for appliances that have been labeled with Energy Star stickers, as this reflects that such systems have been tested and found to consume less power than traditional units.
The energy star sticker is usually blue and bears a certain number of stars indicating potential savings, where more stars reflect greater likely savings.
Although such systems tend to be more expensive, you will recover the initial cost over time with continuous savings.
According to the Energy Australian, you might save approximately 10% to 30% of your heating and cooling costs if you choose to use energy star appliances. So, if you used to pay, say $1000 annually, now you would save $300, which can add up to a considerable sum over 10 years.
Know Your Climate
The second important consideration you should make before settling on a new heating and cooling system is the climate condition in your region. Varying climatic conditions in different regions in Australia dictate different heating and cooling needs.
The Australian Meteorological Bureau identifies the climatic zones across the nation, varying from tropical in the north to temperate in the south. The zones are identified below, along with the most suitable heating and cooling units accordingly.
- Tropical: Hot and humid thus requiring adequate cooling.
- Subtropical: Warm summers and mild winters; both cooling and heating are necessary here.
- Desert: Hot in the day and cool by night, hence in most cases needing evaporative cooling.
- Temperate: Four distinct seasons, which call for efficient systems of heating and cooling.
Check which climate from above matches your area’s climate, and choose the best heating or cooling system as recommended. This way you will get a unit that will never fail due to unfavorable conditions.
Environmental Impact
According to the EPA, heating in buildings alone results in 4 gigatonnes (Gt) of CO2 emissions annually – equivalent to 10% of global emissions.
To minimize environmental impact and energy expenses, explore heating and cooling systems that tap into renewable energy sources.
One great example is a heat pump. Heat pumps work by transferring heat from one place to another instead of generating heat from scratch. During cold weather, they extract heat from the outdoor air or ground and transfer it inside to warm your space.
In warmer months, they reverse this process, moving heat out of your home to provide cooling relief. The entire process puts little pressure on fossil-powered plants thus reducing carbon emissions.
According to iStore, heat pumps like their models can lower emissions by up to 2.9 tonnes of CO2 through this operating mechanism.
Warranty and After-Sale Services
While looking for a reliable heating and cooling system for your home, try to buy from manufacturers or sellers offering extended warranties and after-sale services.
The warranty is particularly important for peace of mind. It gives you assurance that your unit will work fine for at least a given time duration, so in case any issue occurs, the manufacturer has you covered.
Therefore, always look for units with more years of warranty coverage.
Besides the warranty, also ensure that you buy from manufacturers who offer after-sale services. Such services ensure that, even after buying the system, you get professional support, which could be instrumental in the durability and the efficiency of your system.
For instance, after-sale services including installation support will ensure your unit is properly configured and working correctly and efficiently.
Consider Your House and Family Size
You should also think about the size of your home and pick sizable heating and cooling units accordingly. Installing the right-sized heating and cooling system means it will operate efficiently and effectively.
An undersized unit must run continuously to heat or cool your space as needed and thus ends up using more energy and unable to keep temperature constant.
In the same way, a heating or cooling unit that is too large cycles on and off, increasing wear and reducing overall life and efficiency.
Be sure to consult with a professional to perfectly size your unit based on square footage, climate, insulation, and the number of occupants. They have experience dealing with these units and setting them up so that they are the proper size for any given family.
Consider initial Cost vs. running Costs
Another important consideration when looking to upgrade to the best heating and cooling appliances is the cost.
You should closely examine heating and cooling unit costs and then check whether there’s a possibility of recovering these initial costs based on annual running costs. In the process, you will realize that even though some units are cheaply priced, they can end up costing you even more in the long run.
Other appliances may be more costly to purchase and install, however, they will soon recoup their costs through continuous savings on utility bills.
To understand this better, consider an electric instant heater versus a heat pump. The former is cheaper to purchase and install, however, its running costs are the reason close to 28% of Australians are struggling with energy bills.
On the other hand, a heat pump is costly to install especially with no rebates and incentives, however, its savings on power usage are enough to offset the initial costs in 4 to 6 years, so always choose wisely.
Maintenance and Durability
The next consideration while choosing a heating and cooling system in Australia is maintenance and durability.
You want a system that is engineered for no-fuss performance with less maintenance intervention needed, right?
Then, opt for one that has a record of high reliability with not-so-frequent maintenance demands. In that way, you will have comfort without interruptions, and no frequent service calls to worry about.
Also, look for systems that last longer, as they will serve for long and save you money on frequent replacements. To estimate the durability of a system, you can look at its design and build, as a robust design translates into durability.
You can also ask the manufacturer or a friend who has the same cooling and heating needs as yours and has invested in such systems before.
Opt for Local Well-Marketed Australian Brands
Choose a reputable, established and trusted Australian brand for heating and cooling systems. These local brands know the unique climate challenges of the country best.
Their systems are designed to handle various climate conditions around the different regions of the country. Additionally, well-known Australian brands come with a wider presence that makes access to authorized service providers and replacement parts much easier.
Moreover, most of them have been in the market for a long time, so they understand exactly what Australian homeowners want and strive to offer exactly that.
Conclusion
So, there you have it – everything you need to know to pick the perfect heating and cooling systems for your home.
Remember, it’s all about finding that sweet spot between comfort, efficiency, and cost. If you face any challenges in the process of finding your home heating and cooling appliances, ask the pros for advice.
They will help you successfully navigate your way to a cozy winter and a cool summer in no time. Begin your search now and stay comfy, friends!
