Air conditioners

Choosing an air conditioner

Look for:

• models with at least a 4.5 star energy rating - every extra star can reduce running costs by 10%
• models with inverters to respond to the changing cooling/heating needs of a room
• models with easily adjustable thermostats.

Get professional advice to match the size of the unit to the size of your home.

Maximising efficiency

The air-conditioner will run most efficiently if you:

• set your thermostat to around 26ºC in summer - for every 1ºC you increase your thermostat by, you can save around 10% on running costs - and around 20ºC in winter 
• draw curtains and blinds and close doors and windows to keep heat out
• insulate your home and seal gaps around doors and windows
• use a gas heater instead of reverse cycle air conditioning during winter.

More information

Visit the Energy Rating website to search and compare different air conditioners.