The Interiors Addict

Get the most out of your air conditioner this winter

Posted: 29 Jun 2021 06:03 PM PDT

Once installed, knowing how to use your air conditioner correctly will help maximise indoor comfort and minimise energy consumption. Fujitsu General share the top five most common questions customers should ask before buying, and using, a reverse cycle air conditioning system:

How do air conditioners compare with other heating methods?
When temperatures drop, all that's important is creating a warm environment to unwind in. Reverse cycle air conditioning is one of the most energy-efficient ways of heating a room and doubles as a cooling method during summer. While gas and electricity prices vary from state to state, ongoing innovations in technology and features make reverse cycle air conditioning a smart way to create a comfortable environment all-year-round in a single room or the whole house.

What is the ideal temperature to set an air conditioner in winter?
When the temperature outside is freezing, it can be very tempting to raise the air conditioning temperature indoors to heat the home faster. Setting the temperature high doesn't necessarily warm the room faster and can actually put pressure on the unit by making it work harder for longer to try to achieve the desired temperature.

In winter, ensure the air conditioner mode is changed to heating, and set the temperature at a recommended 19 degrees celsius, to create a comfortable environment while minimising energy consumption.

What technology do air conditioners use and can they offer smart home connectivity?
Smart technology can make it easy to control an air conditioner using a smartphone, tablet, or using voice command when available. This means indoor comfort can be managed throughout the day, even if you’re home!

How can you compare efficiency between air conditioner models?
The easiest way to compare efficiencies on wall-mounted split systems is to look at the energy star rating for both heating and cooling modes. The better the star rating, the more energy efficient the system is! 

Blue stars rate cooling efficiency and red stars assess heating.  The new labels provide a seasonal efficiency rating for three distinct climate zones across Australia: HOT, AVERAGE and COLD. The star ratings on the new label reflect how the air conditioner will perform in different climate zones and allows an estimated annual electricity figure to be calculated. They also compare the energy management features and consider which will be more useful and effective in your home.

What are the best ways to minimise energy usage when running an air conditioner?

Clean the filters or replace them regularly: During regular use, filters within the air conditioning unit accumulate dust, which if left uncleaned, can reduce airflow and diminish the performance of the air conditioner. Clean dust from reusable filters with a vacuum cleaner or wash in mild soap and water each month. For disposable filters, replace as required according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Have the system serviced by a licensed technician
Fujitsu General recommends a professional service every one to two years, depending on usage, to ensure maximum efficiency.
Utilise in-built timers: Program the system to turn on to heat the room before waking and turn off during sleep. This avoids running the unit all night and day at times where air conditioning is not required.
Only heat the rooms being used: Keep doors and windows closed to avoid heat escaping. For homes with ducted air conditioning use zone control features if available to close vents.
Don't set the temperature too high: Setting the temperature high doesn’t warm the room faster and puts unnecessary pressure on the system, contributing to an increase in energy use.

For more information

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Winter bed linen: The latest looks for layering

Posted: 29 Jun 2021 01:01 PM PDT

There’s no denying that winter is with us with plummeting temperatures seen across Australia in the last couple of weeks. So, there couldn’t be a more perfect time to bring you our edit of the latest winter bed linen including quilts and blankets that are perfect for cold weather layering.

Adairs x Mark Tuckey: “I never set out to have a luxury brand, it just went that way because I wanted to make quality product. It's always been a dream that one day we could diversify and make it available to more people,” says Mark Tuckey of collaborations with Adairs. And while the latest drop is filled with lots of gorgeous furniture and homewares items, it’s the bedding that caught our eye. Designed with sustainability in mind, using hemp and organic cotton chambray, the range is classic without being boring, and features gorgeous earthy colours paired with light neutral tones and navy.

As for hemp, it’s one of the most environmentally friendly plants available. Its natural insulating and wicking properties keeps you cool in summer and warm in winter. Grown without pesticides, it requires little water and prevents soil erosion with its strong network of roots. From $79.99.

Adairs x Mark Tuckey — Mark Tuckey Australian lambswool grey and navy blanket

Freedom: The latest Freedom bed linen features natural fabrics and lush textures ideal for layering and cocooning throughout winter. There's jacquard, linen, bamboo, cotton, Turkish flannelette and Lyocel – a luxe blended linen and Tencel. "Our bed linen is effortlessly timeless; it's all about unique fabrications instead of prints that swiftly become dated," says Freedom head of homewares Christie Maartensz.

The brand has identified the coverlet as a key winter bedding trend, due to its flexibility and layering properties. "The coverlet is a great layering option on top of a quilt cover but it can also be double-folded as a runner on the bed. Then in the summer months, coverlets can be simply layered with a flat sheet," says Christie. From $150.

Hemp Gallery Australia: Once having existed more on the edges, hemp products have been in the spotlight of late and are becoming more and more mainstream. And you an understand why when you look at its environmentally sound properties, as outlined above. Created by a mother daughter duo, Hemp Gallery Australia produces a range of beautiful bed linen crafted from hemp including sheets, quilt covers and pillow cases.

L&M Home: A go-to brand for classic, stylish bedding, the latest range of blankets and throws from L&M Home are rather gorgeous and ideal for layering too. A standout from the collection, the Empire throw is hand loomed from wool and silk and features a beautiful scalloped design. From $194.