7 air conditioner hacks to stay affordably warm this winter

Keep the chill at bay this winter with these wallet-friendly AC tips and tricks.

We are about to hit the peak of winter. If you own a split-system air conditioner, it's possible to keep the whole family warm without paying too much extra by following a few simple tips and tricks.

Learn more about the Daikin Alira X range

1. Switch from panel heating to a heat pump air conditioner

If you're buying a new air conditioner this winter, energy efficiency should be near the top of your shopping criteria.

The higher the star rating of an air conditioner, the more efficient the product is, saving you money in the long run. The Daikin Alira X saves up to 78% on running costs when compared to an equivalent radiant heater.

2. Don't max out the settings!

Overworking your AC can lead to significant energy waste. Most people don't realise that a 1-degree change can impact your energy bill by as much as 10%.

Cranking the temperature up doesn't heat the room quicker. You should aim to stick to a fairly consistent temperature of around 18-22C during colder months.

Most modern AC units now come with power-saver settings. Take Daikin's 2-Area Intelligent Eye mode, for example, featured in the Daikin Alira X. When it senses that you aren't in the room, it automatically switches to an energy-saving mode.

It also allows you to direct airflow towards you or away from you for draught-free comfort.

3. Seal gaps and close doors

Sometimes, the simplest hacks are best. While it might seem obvious, many homes fail to insulate themselves from the cold.

Avoid chilly draughts by sealing the gaps around doors and windows. You can achieve this with adhesive weather strips and a trusty snake door stopper, which only cost a few dollars each.

You should also close doors to rooms you aren't using. This will improve the warmth, especially when using an air conditioner.

4. Turn off your air conditioner or set to a lower temperature while you sleep

Avoid the temptation of leaving your air conditioner on throughout the night.

Instead, insulate your body with thicker pyjamas or an extra blanket. This will result in a much lower power bill compared to running your AC continuously.

Or you could even enable Night Setback Mode which automatically adjusts the temperature setpoint while you sleep in order to save power.

The recommended temperature setting while sleeping is 16-18 degrees Celsius.

5. Clean your filter regularly

It's important to regularly maintain your air conditioner to ensure you're getting the best bang for your buck.

AC filters can become clogged with dust, pollen or even mould. This lowers their energy efficiency, resulting in increased power usage.

Most manufacturers recommend cleaning your filter every 6 months.

For added peace of mind, the Daikin Alira X features mould-proof operation. This mode specifically targets and fights mould formation for clean and odour-free ventilation.

6. Use automation

You can program most air conditioners to switch themselves off after you've already fallen asleep. The Daikin Alira X comes with 7-Day Scheduling, allowing you to set different times to match your sleeping patterns throughout the week.

It also comes with a convenient home leave function that automatically maintains a comfortable temperature while you're away without using too much energy. This also allows your home to warm up faster and more efficiently when you return.

7. Combine 2 appliances in 1

If you care about air quality and want to save a few bucks, you might want to consider an air conditioner with air purification technology.

This is one of the Daikin Alira X's chief selling points.

The system is fitted with three layers of filtration - a prefilter for large particulates, an enzyme blue deodorising filter for odour control and Daikin's Streamer technology for powerful oxidative decomposition of pollutants.

This allows it to eliminate up to 99.9% of pollen, mould and allergens during operation.