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HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING

September 1, 2021 in Blog Post

Home Heating & Cooling Upgrades Program

Efficient Air has officially partnered with the Victorian Government for the Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades Program. We couldn’t be more excited!

Whether it is an upgrade to your gas ducted heater or reverse cycle air conditioning system Efficient Air have you covered. With this incredible program, you may be able to receive a rebate of $1000 for your new system, $500 towards a switchboard upgrade (if needed to upgrade for split system) and $200 to decommission your outdated gas heater (if replacing your existing gas ducted heater).

There are a few reasons to love this program. The primary aim is to increase the comfort, wellbeing and health of Victorians, which is the reason we love what we do! It also means that with these new and more efficient systems we are able to contribute towards tackling climate change. Something we can definitely get on board with!

We are sure that so many of our valued customers are going to love this opportunity and Efficient Air is here to guide you and support the process! In addition to speaking to Efficient Air to determine the system that best suits your needs, one of the next steps is to check whether you are eligible for this program.

Does your heating or cooling system upgrade meet the following requirements?
To be eligible for this rebate, households must:  

1. install a new or replacement reverse-cycle air conditioner from the Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades Program approved products list. Efficient Air can guide you on the most appropriate system that meets the criteria and is suitable for your needs.   
2. this system may be new or it may be to replace an existing gas, fixed electric, reverse-cycle air-conditioner that is older than 7 years, wood heating or no heating with an energy-efficient  reverse-cycle  air conditioner.  
3. be an owner-occupier household with an approved concession card, or with a combined household income of less than $90,000.  

If you want to learn more about this incredible program, here are a few links to get you started:

About Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades Program
Get Started – Apply Here!

I have been approved for the rebate, what next?

1. Call Efficient Air on 03 97567400
2. Give us your approved ‘Rebate Token’ number. This should be sent to you via email from the Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades Program. 
3. We submit your quote to the Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades Program. 
4. Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades Program sends you a quote acceptance email, which you need to formally accept as directed by the email.  
5. We will be notified of your quote acceptance and organise the approved rebate amount to be paid directly from the Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades Program.
6. We complete your installation once a deposit payment has been received. 
7. You pay your final invoice (less your deposit payment and the rebate amount). We deal with the rest.
8. You love our product, installation and service! 

If you are unsure about anything, your friendly administration staff at Efficient Air are just a call away on 03 9756 7400, alternatively email us at admin@efficientair.com.au.

We are open Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm and are always happy to help. 

Alternatively, anything specific about eligibility or personal circumstances should be directed to our amazing partner, Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades Program:

Phone: 1300 376 393 

Email: enquiries@team.heatingupgrades.vic.gov.au

More Contact Information: Solar Victoria – Contact Us

September 2, 2020 in Blog Post, Heating

Soaring Gas Bills? How efficient is your ducted system?

It is no surprise that during lockdown in Melbourne our ducted heating systems are being used more than they ever have. Whether you are working from home or just stuck inside more often due to restrictions, it can be difficult to limit use for yourself or your family. With that said, you may have had a few bills recently that knocked you off your feet. We get it, that’s why we are here to help!

When it comes to running your ducted heating it is important to consider these two factors:

Number one: Does your house heat evenly?
Number two: Does your house heat quickly?

If you have answered NO to any of the above questions – it is time to have a good look at your ducted system.

There are several issues that may cause wastage and it is important to look at your system as a whole so that you can identify what can be improved on.

• How old is your system?

  Older systems are not designed as well or sized as efficiently as newer systems. This can often lead to more gas being used than is necessary. Unsure of how old your heater is? Chat to one of our experienced team members at Efficient Air to get a better idea.

• How do your ducts look?

  Small holes can occur in older systems due to animal damage, pest damage or general long-term use. Did you know that old systems generally use R0.6 insulated duct work with uninsulated fittings? Nowadays we use R1.0 ductwork with insulated fittings – this prevents heat escaping from ducts and more going into your home, keeping you toasty!

How many vents do you have and where are they positioned?

It is important that the space you have is covered sufficiently by the position and quantity of ducts. Sometimes your space can be larger than a single duct can manage. This can cause higher bills as your heater works longer to achieve desired warmth. Efficient Air can add or relocate ducts as needed. 

Which rooms are being heated?

It might be a good time to look at which rooms are being used more frequently than others. For rooms that are used less , closing vents is a fantastic way to save money – but make sure it’s done right! If you are going to close a vent in a low-use room, make sure to close the door too! This ensures that the thermostat picks up the correct temperature in your chosen spaces, which in turn causes it to temporarily turn off, saving your gas, and hard earned money!

Have you considered zoning?

Technology has come a long way. You can incorporate zoning systems into your house, allowing you to set up multiple profiles which can switch between rooms being heated at any one time. For example:  You could set up a profile which heats only your office and the kitchen – two of the most important spaces during lockdown. 

Considering all these factors, it may be time to fine tune your heating. This doesn’t necessarily mean a whole new system but rather looking at ways your can improve the efficiency of your current one!

Poor ducted designs can cost you thousands in the long term so don’t ignore the warning signs. 

Call Efficient Air today and we can help you diagnose and improve on your current systems or suggest the best replacement in the market. It will be the best decision you can make for the comfort of your home and saving money long-term!

August 23, 2018 in Air Conditioning

Utilise Your Air Conditioner For The Best Nights Sleep

Sleep is one of the most important aspects of health and happiness. If you’re having trouble sleeping, it can cause many issues in day to day life.

If you are having trouble sleeping or just want to improve the overall quality of your sleep, there may be some Air Conditioner solutions to help you out.

Try experimenting with these tips to find the right settings for you to keep you feeling refreshed in the morning.

Drop The Temperature

When your body is preparing for sleep, it naturally drops to help you relax. When your bedroom is cool as well, it can be even more beneficial.

Maintaining a cooler temperature during the Winter is easy and you will save money on AC costs, but during Summer, depending on your air conditioning set up, you may be looking at a rise in your bill, so fan could be a better solution.

However if you have looked into getting a zone controlled air conditioning system, you are able to individually control temperatures in different rooms, allowing you to keep the bedroom temperature low while saving money on not cooling other rooms in the house.

Humidity Doesn’t Help

High humidity in your room makes the air feel thick and harder to breathe, which in turn makes it harder for your body to relax. It can also promote mold growth and attract insects, which both affect your quality of sleep.

On the flip side, if your room is too dry, your throat and nasal passage can crack and get itchy which isn’t ideal either.

Mess around with air conditioner temperatures as well as humidifiers and dehumidifiers to find the perfect balance of temperature and humidity.

Fan of a Good Night’s Sleep

Even using the fan on your air conditioning unit can add a variety of benefits to your sleeping routine.

Fans create a draft which continuously cools your skin while keeping your closer to the ideal temperature range. It also circulates the air, keeping it fresh and easier to breathe allowing your body to relax further.

Furthermore, having your air conditioner unit running creates the steady hum of white noise which is proven to induce deeper sleep and hides other quieter sounds during the night, allowing your body to become truly rested.

All of these tips should be experimented with to find the ideal setting for your night time routine to maximise your sleep and energise you for the following day.

May 24, 2018 in Air Conditioning

6 Strange Facts You Didn’t Know About Air Conditioners

Nowadays we are lucky enough to get through the roughest days of summer without too much discomfort. We have the pleasure of being able to sit through a long summer business day without breaking a sweat, and then to come home from a hard days work to feel the welcoming and refreshing blast of cool air when we walk through the door.

Here are some weird and cool facts about the fantastic innovation that keeps us comfortable in Summer day and night.

Credit: Pressly

1.  Ice Power

When air conditioning systems were first introduced, their output settings were originally measured in “Ice Power”, which refers to how many blocks of ice in front of a fan it would take in order to produce the same amount of cooling power. We now call them AC units.

2. The First Air Conditioner

The very first air conditioner was invented by a man named Willis Carrier in 1902. Carrier worked at a publishing company and needed to find a way to keep his paper from expanding and ink from running. Thus, AC was born.

3. AC and Africa

Every year, The U.S. uses the same amount of energy just to power air conditioners as Africa would use to power the entire continent!

4. The Summer Blockbuster

Back in 1907, no residential homes had air conditioning yet. Movie theatres were the only places to consistently provide it and used it as a marketing tool to fill seats with their “state-of-the-art” ice-cold AC. They would advertise it using icicle covered letters on their signage. This is in part responsible for the Summer blockbuster as it was so effective at filling seats during hot Summer days.

5. Presidential Air Conditioner

The first president to enjoy air conditioning in the Oval Office was Herbert Hoover. He spent $30,000 USD on the system just months after the Stock Market Crash of 1929, and the beginning of the Great Depression. The perks of being the president I guess!

6. Saving Lives

Air conditioning is a literal life saver. Researches have found that chances of dying in extreme heat during Summer has declined more than 80 percent in the past 50 years. The researchers correlated this directly to the rise in air conditioning installation.

Do you know any other weird facts about air conditioners that you would like to share? Post it in the comments below!

About Efficient Air

Efficient Air is a locally owned and operated business and has been servicing Melbourne’s heating and cooling needs for over 10 years. We are a family business with over 40 years of experience. Only employing the most qualified and skilled tradesman, ensuring high quality, professional work always.

Our commitment is to provide high quality, affordable heating and cooling solutions with honest and expert advice.

Some of the services we offer include:

• Heating
• Cooling
• Air Conditioning

If you want honest, reliable and expert services, you can’t go past Efficient Air!

November 9, 2017 in Air Conditioning

4 Easy Things to Check Yourself Before Calling For Air Conditioner Service

When something goes wrong in your home, the easiest option can appear to be just calling someone to come and fix it. However, you can save yourself some dollars by just checking a few easy things and solving a problem on your own before calling for air conditioner service.

1. Check Your A/C Switch in the Fuse Box

The first thing to check if your air conditioner is faulty or needs servicing is the switch in your fuse box. The switch should always be clearly marked, so don’t worry about getting lost in there.

You need to switch it off. Wait for roughly 5 seconds before you switch it back on. If the switch does keep tripping, you will want to call for a service as this means there is a fault in your air conditioner. Otherwise, give it 5-10 minutes and see if it comes back on. If it does, great news, you’ve fixed the problem.

Sometimes all it takes is to turn it off and on again.

2. Dead Batteries in your Digital Thermostat

Credit: Consumer Reports

Most air conditioners come with a digital thermostat controller, most of which have batteries. You will want to pop the cover off the back of the unit, check in the back for the batteries. Take them out an replace them with a couple of fresh ones.

Pop the thermostat back on the wall. All thermostats have a time delay, so wait 5 minutes to see if the system comes back on.

If this hasn’t fixed the problem, move on to the next step!

3. Backed Up Drain Line

The next easy step is to check if the drain line is backed up. If it is, the problem is being caused by the flow switch turning itself off due to the back up.

You can flush it out with a vacuum, or blow it out with a water hose. Once you have done this, the flow switch on your system should automatically reset itself.

Credit: Today’s Homeowner

If this was the problem, pouring bleach in it once a month and getting a service twice a year will keep the problem from arising in the future.

4. Check Your Filter

The last easy step in troubleshooting your air conditioner is simply checking the filter.

You just slide your filter out from underneath the drain line, take a look and make sure the filter is completely clear of debris so that you can see through it. If it’s not, you should get a replacement rather than try to clean it.

While you have the filter out, look up inside the unit to check for ice. If there is ice, turn the fan on and let it sit for a while. The ice should thaw out. Turn the system back on and if you still have icing then you will want to call for a service.

If none of these options work for you, then the only option left is to contact us at Efficient Air for an air conditioner service. We will have the problem fixed in no time!

Talk to the Experts Today

Efficient Air is a locally owned and operated business and has been servicing Melbourne’s heating and cooling needs for over 10 years. We are a family business with over 40 years of experience. Only employing the most qualified and skilled tradesman, ensuring high quality, professional work always.

Our commitment is to provide high quality, affordable heating and cooling solutions with honest and expert advice.

Some of the services we offer include:

• Heating
• Cooling
• Air Conditioning

If you want honest, reliable and expert services, you can’t go past Efficient Air!

July 27, 2017 in Heating

4 Ways to Keep Warm Using Science

Looking for unique ways to keep warm?

We have all heard the usual ways to heat your home more efficiently.

“Close the curtains”, “block your chimney”, “close unused rooms”.

But what about keeping the focus on the most important factor: you.

There are many ways to keep warm using science. It’s all about that heat transfer!

Let’s start simple.

Layer Up!

Credit: Elite Agent

Understanding conduction is really important when it comes to keeping warm. Whenever your body comes into contact with something cold, conduction will transfer your body heat into whatever you touch (cold floor, leather couch etc). The most effective way to combat this is to simply wear more layers.

First think about your base layer – thermals, long wool socks. These keep you from losing heat through conduction.

Next, think about your outer layers – wind proof jackets. By creating an outer layer that can protect you from the chill in the air, you have now combined outer layers and inner layers to perfectly insulate your body. This is one of the best ways to keep warm.

Take on More Calories

Credit: The Loop

During winter, if you take in more calories than you burn, your body can handle the cold more effectively.

Keeping your blood sugar up enough will provide your body with energy to keep warm in the frost.

In saying this, do not over do it! You only need a little more calories than your body is burning.

Alongside food, water intake is also key. Your body can tolerate the cold much more effectively if your food and water balance are maintained.

Put The Drink Down

Credit: Shutterstock

When you’re sitting at home by the fire on a cold night, nothing sounds more appealing than topping it off with a glass of port or red wine.

However, if keeping warm is the goal here, having that drink may be your downfall. Consuming alcohol actually lowers your body’s core temperature, contrary to popular belief!

So, next time you settle in for Game of Thrones, with the fire burning and a full belly, consider ditching the ale for a hot chocolate.

Placebo Effect

Credit: Energy Company Obligation

Placebos can have very real effects on your body even if they don’t really do anything at all.

So how can we keep ourselves warm with a placebo? Wear a hat.

There is a common misconception that we lose a large percentage of body heat through our head. Wearing a hat will definitely keep your head warmer, but it won’t do much for your core temperature.

However if we commit to this idea and cover up our chilly noggins, the idea covering up some exposed skin can play a large role in overall comfort.

The same applies to your feet (though they do have a role to play in heat). If our feet get cold enough, we experience the sensations of pain and discomfort. By simply covering them with thick socks and slippers, even if it doesn’t directly affect our core temperature, it still gives us the placebo effect of comfort and warmth.