With summer now upon us – and it’s likely to be a hot one – many consumers are in the market for a new air conditioner.
“Their timing is perfect as air conditioners have never been more efficient and effective. They will keep you cool, while using less energy than ever before,” said Mark Padwick, President of AREMA, a national association representing the Australian air conditioning and refrigeration industry.
“Over the life of an air conditioner, the cost of running it can well exceed its purchase price. That makes energy efficiency an important consideration when making your purchase.”
Thankfully, the Federal Government has a very useful calculator that lets you compare the cost of running different air conditioners. Visit: http://www.energyrating.gov.au/calculator for more information.
However, it’s important to take care when you buy. There are some air conditioners on the market that do not deliver what they promise.
The Department of the Environment and Energy runs Australia’s energy efficiency programs. Over the past few years they have tested air conditioners that claim “amazing” performance from “revolutionary” technology. Alarmingly, some have failed to meet minimum energy performance levels and came nowhere near reaching what they promised.
How do you protect yourself?
Before you buy, ask two important questions:
- Does the manufacturer promise some radical new technology, delivering unbeatable performance?
- Is the brand familiar or one you have never heard of before?
Mr Padwick said if the ‘unbeatable performance’ claim sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
“If the brand is an unknown, then you have a right to be sceptical,” he said. “The cost of buying a poor performing product can be significant and you may not get the cooling you need.”
To confirm the performance of the system, make sure you look at the energy star label and compare the performance with other makes and models.
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