When the first properly hot day of the year arrives, you are going to rush to the remote, press the power button on your air-conditioner, and wait for that familiar blast of cold air. But what happens if nothing comes out? Or worse, what if it sounds like an old tractor and blows warm air?
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Australia is bracing for a warmer-than-average spring. We have already seen unusually hot days creeping into every state. Put simply: it is getting hotter earlier than usual, and we are in for a seriously warm summer.
The problem is human nature. Most of us only think about our cooling systems when we are already sweating. Unfortunately, that is exactly when millions of other people are thinking about theirs, too.
Enter National Air-Con Test Month
If you wait until the first major heatwave to discover your system is broken, you will be joining a very long queue. Technicians become booked out for weeks, and store shelves empty fast.
To help households avoid this stressful situation, Midea (the brand behind one in four residential inverter air-conditioners globally) has dubbed September “National Air-Con Test Month.”
“We always see a spike in residential air-conditioning enquiries during the first heatwave of the season,” says John Milonas from Midea ANZ. “That’s when demand for stock and installation bookings spike, which can lead to significant wait times. National Air-Con Test Month is a smart window for Australians to get air-conditioning systems tested or upgraded, while technicians aren’t booked out weeks in advance.”
MIDEA’S AIR CONDITIONING CHECKLIST FOR AUSTRALIAN HOMES THIS SPRING!
- Turn the air-conditioner on and switch it to cooling mode: The first time you turn the air-conditioner onto cooling, shouldn’t be on the day of the first heatwave. Allow your system to run for some time on cooling mode.
- Check the airflow and temperature: If you have zones within our home, switch zones on and off to test the system. For split systems, ensure the airflow adjusts when the fan speeds and flow is changed.
- Check and clean the filters: Clean the filters as per product advice. This could include using a brush to remove dust or even washing down the filters with a hose. For worn or filters with dirt and dust that just doesn’t want budge, it might be time for replacements.
- Listen for any unusual noises: Take note of whether your air-conditioning system sounds like it is ‘working too hard.’ This could be a sign or failing mechanical components which could be costing you money due to poor energy efficiency.
- Confirm rooms are actually cooling down: Monitor the temperature inside the room before and during the air-conditioning is in operation to ensure the system is cooling the environment.
- If there are concerns, book a service or consider a replacement now: Spring can be considered the best month for air conditioner installs. It’s off-peak for air-conditioning installs which means there are typically provides wider stock availability and faster installation than the run-up to summer.
What if it is time for an upgrade?
If your system fails the test, spring is a good off-peak time to shop for a replacement. Modern units are far more advanced than the beige boxes of a decade ago.
For example, Midea’s Athena Series, Edith Series and Venus Series are engineered with heavy-duty protection specifically for harsh climates. They also connect to a SmartHome app, allowing you to turn the cooling on before you even leave the office or before the kids get home from school.
If energy bills are a concern, the Athena series features smart AI technology that automatically balances climate control with running costs, cutting heating and cooling use by up to 30 percent. Need instant relief? The Cool Flash feature can drop a room’s temperature by a rapid 6°C in just 10 minutes. The Athena series even features a built-in negative ion generator that eliminates up to 99 percent of airborne viruses and bacteria, earning it recognition from the National Asthma Council Australia.
Do yourself a favour this September. Grab the remote, run a quick test, and rest easy knowing your home is ready for whatever the summer weather throws at it.
