Published in the Sunshine Coast Daily 8 October 2016
” Air conditioner on the blink and you’ve been putting off replacing it until the sun starts to bite?
How do you determine which system is better? Do you go for a classic split-system or do you look to upgrade to ducted?
Can ceiling fans and windows get you through another Coast summer?
Since August 25 – the magic date when air conditioning and refrigeration requirements suddenly spike – Buderim Air Refrigeration and Air Conditioning’s Craig Krog and his team have been out helping to cool the Coast.
Mr Krog took some time out to explain there’s a lot more to air conditioning and refrigeration than many of us would realise.
For example, homes near rocky, coastal outcrops, like Pt Cartwright or Alexandra Headland, will need more attention paid to air conditioning systems with corrosion happening faster than it does to systems in homes near flat, sandy-bed beaches in the region.
As for the best options, Mr Krog said the choice between ducted or split-system was essentially eliminated for high-rise unit dwellers, the concrete ceilings ensuring no space available to run ducted systems.
So what works best for what home?
“Each home is different,” Mr Krog said.
Factors like elevation, position, design and direction facing all factored into what sort of natural cooling and heating would be achieved by a home and what system would serve it best.
He said split systems were the most popular in the region, with many landlords putting split systems in as a cheaper option compared to ducted air conditioning.
Mr Krog said ducted systems had their advantages though, with an ability to pinpoint areas to cool as well as quieter operation.
He said it was hard to differ between the best split systems given retailers were so competitive, but advised looking into post-warranty service and part availability when weighing up which option to take.
Ceiling fans were also more prone to corrosion with stainless steel models, while they also got dirty and rotated dirty air, as opposed to providing cool, filtered air through a system.
He said their peak business period would continue from August 25 until the last weekend of Easter, as Coast residents look to beat the heat.
OTHER WAYS TO BEAT THE COAST HEAT:
Ice cream: Spend a day on the beach, be it Kings, Mooloolaba or Coolum, then treat yourself to an ice-cold one on the sand. It doesn’t get any better than that.
River chills: There’s not many better ways to spend a day than in a blow-up pool on a river, with some music and a few friends. Chambers Island off Maroochy River is always good fun for this and a great way to stop sweltering.
Chase the breeze: Why not head north to Double Island Pt, pitch a tent and chase some ocean winds? Beats being stuck in suburbia staring at a ceiling fan.
Head for the hills: A cool Maleny night may be just the tonic to end a steamy day in the sun.”