What Temperature Is Best for Air Conditioning

Summer in South East Queensland can get quite warm, but worse than that it gets sticky and humid, so installing an air conditioner in Brisbane is a must. They regulate the temperature indoors and ensure that no matter what the weather is like outside, at least in your home you can be in comfort.

So how do air conditioners work, are they good for us, and what temperature is best for air conditioning in Brisbane?

Related information: Best Temperature For Heater in Winter in Brisbane

How do these Aircons work?

When you switch your A/C on, and the machine on the wall kicks into gear, a fan sucks in the hot air in the room and runs it through a filter that blocks dust, dirt, linen, and other air particles making sure the air which comes back into the room is clean. It’s very important to remember to clean these filters regularly! Depending on what type of unit you have, you can either pull them directly out, wash them thoroughly, dry them, and then put them back, or you have to call the maintenance company to arrive and clean the filters. Clogged filters affect the performance of the air conditioner and the air quality it produces.

Once the air passes through the filter it is sucked into a liquid refrigerant placed inside an evaporator coil. The liquid refrigerant cools the warm air sucked in as it passes through the coil and then passes through a fan which spreads the cool air back into the room. 

Different types of Air Conditioners 

Split System

A split system is an air conditioner that is usually installed high up on the wall of a room with a tube that leads outside and is controlled with a TV-style remote control. 

This type of air conditioner comprises two units, i.e. an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. Both of these work to provide a consistent and controlled temperature range for the space it’s installed in. It also cleans the air while cooling it through the use of filters placed inside.

This type of air conditioner has three different versions. One is the basic single-stage system, the second is the two-stage system which works more efficiently and makes less noise and the third is a multi-stage system which saves the most amount of energy and makes the least amount of noise. Unsurprisingly it is also the most expensive. 

Packaged Unit

The main unique feature of a packaged air conditioning unit is that all its components come in one singular unit. When looking around at buildings you’ve probably seen rectangular steel boxes sticking out of buildings, that is a packaged unit air con. 

Within packaged units, you can get various types that have different components which operate in different ways. However, what they all have in common is that they give you an all-in-one unit that has the capability to heat and cool.

This option is generally quite efficient and suitable for those who don’t have much space to work with.

Ductless/Mini Split

Purchasing a ductless/mini split is a solid option when searching for an air conditioning unit because it not only provides both heating and cooling but also has an indoor unit that connects to an outdoor unit using a coated tube. 

A mini-split is a great option for older homes and buildings as it’s quite easy to install and also very energy efficient, but the cost of installation can set you back a fair bit. 

When choosing which air conditioning unit is right for you, you must take a few factors into consideration, including price, size, efficiency, and the climate of where you live.

Ducted AC

This type is the most powerful and easiest to customise! It’s also best for bigger houses with a lot of rooms which require different temperature settings. You’ll also see it in corporate and public buildings. Head over to this article for more details!

What Temperature Is Best for Air Conditioning in Brisbane

This is a difficult question to try and answer because everyone is different and preferences vary. However, a good start is to try and prioritise certain key factors, which consist of how much energy you want to save, your personal preference, what season you are in, and how much you use it! 

If you use your air conditioner quite regularly then you should try and balance that out with prioritising energy efficiency to keep your bills manageable. If, on the other hand, you barely use it, then you can prioritise your comfort and preferred temperature. 

As a rough guide, the recommended best temperature for air conditioning during the summer in Brisbane is said to be around 24 to 25 degrees celsius using the cool setting. Whereas the best temperature for air conditioning during winter in Brisbane is said to range between 18 and 20 degrees in the heating mode.

These are just guides to get you started, play around and see what works best for you and go with that!

How can your air conditioning help when it’s humid?

Summer in Brisbane might not experience extreme heat, however, it certainly gets humid, and no one likes humidity. You get all sticky, end up taking multiple showers a day and feel like you’re suffocating. This is where your air-con comes into play.

There is nothing like getting out of the humid outdoors and stepping into a nice, cool air-conditioned room. Your air conditioner acts as a sort of dehumidifier, reducing humidity levels in the room as the refrigerant mechanism soaks up heat and moisture and releases cool dry air back out.

FAQ’s

Will My Air Conditioner Affect My Health?

Air cons can be a very useful machine to have and is a great investment if you live in an area with strong seasonal weather. In spite of this, you should be aware that, like with most things, too much of anything can have an adverse effect on your health.

As air cons reduce the moisture in the air (great for humid conditions) this can lead to your body feeling dehydrated. This dehydration also contributes to dry skin and dry eyes. Even more, worryingly too much exposure to the AC can cause respiratory problems and trigger existing conditions such as asthma or allergies. This is cause for concern for those living in very hot countries. 

Be mindful of the side effects that prolonged exposure to air-conditioned air can have on you. Try and use it with a balanced approach which will be better for your health and for your wallet!

Should I Sleep With the Air Con On?

This all comes down to preferences, but given the possible health risks involved with long being in air-conditioned air for too long, you should only keep it on if it’s difficult to sleep without it. 

If that’s the case then try and keep the direction of the air con away from your face, chest, body and feet so you’re not getting direct exposure. The best air con temperature for sleeping is said to be around 25 degrees celsius, a balanced number that will also be energy efficient for the duration of your sleep. 

Can I program my Air Conditioning Unit to switch on/off when I want?

Yes! Modern air con units have a timer that allows you to select when the air con needs to be turned on and/or off. That can be quite handy at certain times of the day. For example, in winter, some people may program their air con (on heating mode) to go on just before it’s wake-up time and get their house nice and warm before they need to leave their warm bed.

But there are other options in terms of appliance automation. For example, systems such as Cbus home automation allow you to program and remotely control all sorts of devices that need electricity with one system.