The Air Con Efficiency Rating You Should Really Care About

Air conditioner energy rating labels - Australia

Pop quiz!  What’s more important when it comes to buying an air conditioner?

  • (a) Cooling efficiency
  • (b) Heating efficiency
  • (c) Purple monkey dishwasher

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Aircon Installs: What It Really Costs To Beat The Heat

An outdoor aircon unit in the sunIt wasn’t even 11am in my neck of the woods in Adelaide on Tuesday, and the temperature had already reached 42.2C. After several days roasting in the forties, it’s fair to say that if I didn’t already have air conditioning, I’d have given up one of my kidneys to get it. Maybe even both of them.

Fortunately, air conditioning installers don’t typically expect human organs as payment – although that doesn’t mean a quality new system comes cheap. Here’s how much it typically costs to install an air conditioner in Australia in 2026.

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Portable Air Conditioners Suck (Hot Air Into Your House)


Are you thinking of a portable air conditioner? Don’t. Step back. Put your wallet away.

I can’t think of a better way to waste time, money and energy than buying a portable air conditioner – although there are a couple of exceptions that have their place.

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Don’t Waste Cold Cash On The Wrong Sized Air Conditioner

people inspecting an air conditionerSweltering through a heatwave and desperate for a new air conditioner? Don’t rush into a decision before working out what size of unit you need – otherwise you’ll be blowing all your cold cash on hot air.

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Australian Consumer Alert: Portable Air Conditioner Scams

Air conditioner scam Australia.

Ads for cheap(ish) so-called “air conditioners” that look a little like small reverse cycle split system head units have been popping up all over the web. Save your money and your time — they won’t work as advertised for a very simple reason, and may pose fire safety risks. [Read more…]

How To Integrate Air Conditioning With Solar

An air conditioner and a solar panelIf you want to control your air conditioner properly with solar, it helps to understand how the thing actually works. As an ex-control systems engineer, this is right up my alley. Let’s break it down.

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Evaporative Cooling Vs. Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning

An Australian family in their air-conditioned home.

Like many home improvements, the type of air-conditioning that may be best suited for your house will depend on a number of factors, including if you have solar panels. See the pros and cons of the two main technologies, and other points to consider. [Read more…]

Reverse Cycle Not Keeping You Warm? Here’s What To Do.

Winter is here, and nobody is more aware of that than Australians with a struggling reverse cycle air conditioner (RVAC). If your system isn’t keeping you warm, here’s what to do to get it humming.

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Surviving 43°C: A Quick Fix for Struggling Air Conditioners

heatwave air conditioning
I know it sounds like clickbait, but honestly, there is one simple trick that will help your refrigerative air conditioner cope with very hot days.

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Air Conditioning In Australia: Time To Get Smart Says IEEFA

Smart air conditioning in Australia

Air conditioners sold in Australia need to meet minimum efficiency standards, but not minimum “smarts”. This should change says a new report from IEEFA. Here’s why. [Read more…]

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