The definition of a heat wave is an unusually high maximum and minimum temperature which remains for three or more days. Australian heat waves  can make life extremely uncomfortable and hazardous to our health and wellbeing if the proper precautions are not taken.

While past generations learned how to survive a heat wave without air conditioning, life in the 21st century is a different story. During a heat wave, air conditioning system use spikes as people retreat indoors to stay cool. However, there are some important tips on how to efficiently run air conditioning during heat waves  to maintain comfort while keeping electricity bills in check.

Keep the indoor and outdoor unit clean

Dust and debris can build-up on both the indoor and outdoor unit, restricting airflow. This can cause the system to work harder, leading to higher energy usage, increased running costs and ineffective output. Be sure to wipe the unit down, keep the indoor filters clean and remove anything that could cause further obstructions and build up.

Don’t set the temperature too low

Setting the temperature above 23 degrees celsius is the best way to create a comfortable environment whilst minimising energy consumption. During a heat wave, air conditioners will be working harder to keep the home cool. Setting a low air conditioner temperature during a heat wave the temperature too low can put pressure on the unit by making it work harder for longer to try to achieve the desired temperature. Doing this will also increase your electricity bills.

Use built in programs and features to reduce energy output

Fujitsu General air conditioners have a range of helpful programs to help control indoor temperature during a heat wave.

On particularly hot days, use program timers to start the air conditioner before the outside temperature gets too hot and stop it once the room is comfortableSwitching the air conditioner on during the hottest part of the day means it needs to work much harder, and takes longer to cool down the home.

Using economy mode is a good way to reduce excessive power consumption. Economy, or eco modes, use about 70 per cent of the compressor which helps ensure the maintenance and longevity of your system.

When unusually high night and daytime temperatures persist during a heat wave, air conditioners provide relief from heat stress that becomes a critical factor in human health. Hot nights make it harder to recover from the heat of the day and this puts more stress on the body.

That is why sleep mode is a useful feature. To avoid getting too hot at night, the sleep timer function automatically modifies the temperature setting in accordance with the set time. When in cooling mode, a Fujitsu General unit will automatically raise the set temperature 1°C every sixty minutes until it has increased a total of 2°C. Similar to economy mode, this allows your unit to control the temperature while you’re asleep, keeping you comfortable while maintaining an economical output.

If you have a ducted system using the new features of anywAiR® Technology Ducted Controller App may also assist.  The new SleepEconomiser feature will automatically adjust your air conditioner from COOL to FAN mode overnight from 10pm to 6am, it will then adjust itself back. This mode will save energy during hot nights and help reduce noise for sleeping neighbours.

If you have a split system using the new features of anywAiR® technology Wi-Fi adaptor may also assist. With voice assistant friendly technology, geofencing, climate react, automation, and more, the Wi-Fi adaptor II lets users implement energy efficiency strategies without sacrificing home comfort.

With climate react feature, homeowners can set rules to activate or deactivate their air conditioner based on room temperatures. Climate react can also work with geofencing, where users can set their air conditioner to turn on or off based on their proximity to their home.

To learn how to optimise the use of your air conditioner’s dry mode setting, you can find your unit’s product operating manual online, or use the physical copy provided to you upon installation.