Don't put that aircon remote away - survive autumn’s erratic weather with Daikin’s top tips

Beat the heat, prevent mould and tackle bill shock with these simple steps from the air conditioning experts. 

As summer fades, many Australians will be hoping for a well-deserved break from the soaring temperatures and rising bills. However, the BOM’s long-range forecast for March to May is throwing a curveball with above average temperatures and rainfall.  

Daikin has been making a difference in Australian homes for more than 50 years. According to the company’s air conditioning experts, when unseasonal weather hits, knowing your unit’s features can really benefit your home’s comfort, health and running costs. 

“In the current economic climate many Australians feel they need to trade comfort for cost savings. Our dealer network has been on a mission to empower residents to maximise their air conditioning unit’s performance while keeping their electricity bills in check,” says Daikin Australia, National Technical Manager, Pravneel Singh.

With autumn set to deliver continued warm and wet conditions, Daikin dealers from across the country agree there are two crucial air conditioning ‘musts’ for homeowners to get right.  

Know your mode

A common cause of family friction is often around the ideal temperature to set your air conditioning unit. 

"Setting your system to between 20 and 24 degrees is ideal for home comfort. Running your unit at lower temperatures uses a lot more energy than necessary and may actually be less comfortable,” says Mr Singh.

However, where homeowners will really see a difference in comfort during the fringe seasons like autumn is in selecting the right mode. 

Dry mode, for example, is perfect for days when it isn’t too hot, but the humidity is stifling. It can also help you stay on top of mould that can form during periods of prolonged rain to keep your home healthy.

Spring isn’t the only season for cleaning and maintenance

Indoor air quality should be a year-round priority, and that means undertaking regular maintenance to clean the filter in your air conditioning unit. A clean filter is not only important for maintaining a healthy home, it’s also critical for ensuring the units performance and efficiency. In fact, a dirty filter can see your air conditioning unit use up to 20 per cent more energy than a clean one. 

Following the high-use summer period, 83 per cent of Daikin’s expert dealers agree that organising a maintenance check is vital.

“One of the common misconceptions among homeowners is that undertaking maintenance on their air conditioning unit is expensive and unnecessary. However, following a peak use period preventative strategies such as cleaning and maintenance will not only prevent future problems but improve their air quality and overall performance,” concludes Mr Singh.

Daikin Dealer’s top tips for Autumn  

• Maximise comfort and efficiency: Get familiar with the functions and settings including the different modes or buttons on your unit.

• Use Fan Only mode: This setting circulates air without changing the temperature or humidity. It's energy-efficient and helps to improve overall air quality. You can also switch to dry mode to help save on electricity instead of using cooling mode.

• Night set mode: Using the off timer, the preset room temperature gently rises in cooling or falls in heating before the unit stops, allowing you to sleep comfortably without feeling a sudden change in the room temperature.