Energy consultant Alan Langworthy says we can immediately run homes cooler and cheaper, if we focus on removing the humidity.
Australian National University senior lecturer in mechanical engineering Xiaolin Wang says the costs of starting up the unit might outweigh the cost of leaving it running. It depends on the efficiency of your unit and home, but in Dr Wang's home one or two hours is enough to warrant leaving the aircon running.Xiaolin Wang says it can be more efficient to leave aircon running if you leave home for a short time.While it's tempting to lock yourself away on a hot day, Dr Wang says residents should still pay attention to the weather forecast.
Monsoonal conditions see Darwin residents reaching for the "dry mode" button on their air conditioners.
I knew all that yrs ago, I'm an engineer /physicist & UNDERSTAND how refrigerative a/con in cool & heat mode thermodynamically + heat transfer ACTUALLY works. Been advising every1 I know 2 set their a/con to 25oC in winter & summer & run it on autofan mode 24/7 w/ eco mode o/n
Darwin housing design has devolved into sealed concrete boxes. There is no airflow between buildings. Literally creating a need for more AC.
Have ours set at 24 degrees and have noticed the difference in power consumption.
Best tip - don’t instal one. Ceiling fans cool you very effectively. Yes, even in Darwin. AND if you have any control at all over yr home, design for wide-opening windows, flow-through air, trees etc. Don’t build yr house 6 inches from your neighbor. Etc.
I don’t live in Darwin
1. Vote LNP.
We have been using them in winter for 4 years now (split systems over ducted gas heating) and it wayyy cheaper than gas. Even more efficient during the day if you have solar panels as well. We need cheap gas to lower inflation (home and industry) sadly that won’t ever happen.