5 Benefits of Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning

For the ultimate in year-round climate control for your home, reverse cycle air conditioning certainly ticks all the boxes.

It doesn’t seem like that long ago that most homes with an air conditioner could only cool their living spaces in summer and needed a gas or electric powered heater for the winter.

Thankfully, with significant advancements in technology over the last 30 years, reverse cycle air conditioning continues to become more prevalent in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) market, and Australian homeowners are reaping the benefits.

That means you can enjoy both heating in winter and cool air in summer when you use a reverse cycle air conditioner.

“But what are the other benefits of reverse cycle units?” I hear you ask. Let’s take a look.

How Does Reverse Cycle AC Work? 

But first, a quick refresher on how a reverse cycle air conditioner works to provide the desired temperature for your home.

A reverse cycle air conditioner works by absorbing heat energy from the outside air. It then cools that air by pumping refrigerant through a cooling coil. This coil then cools the air that flows over it, blowing the air throughout your house to condition the living space to your desired temperature.

In the cooler months of the year, it applies a reverse refrigeration cycle to heat the interior of your home. That reverse cycle effectively involves a reversal of the refrigerant flow. The reverse cycle process provides a variety of benefits during hot summers and freezing cold winters. Let’s explore them now.

How You Benefit from Reverse Cycle Air Conditioner Technology

Aside from being able to both heat AND cool your home, there are many additional advantages to installing or upgrading to a reverse cycle air conditioning unit. Here are five benefits:

1. They’re Highly Energy Efficient

Reverse cycle air conditioning systems are among the most preferred forms of home heating and cooling when it comes to being energy efficient. A single kilowatt (kW) of electricity used will produce 3kW of heating or cooling energy.

That efficiency only continues to improve, especially when it comes to energy cost and usage. Some models even feature sensors that can identify whether or not there are people in the room and will either leave the unit running or switch it off. This makes for energy efficient cooling and heating.

It’s important to bear in mind that energy efficiency can vary from unit to unit and display different energy ratings. Therefore, if it is one of the key features that you want from your reverse cycle air conditioner, be sure to look for one with a higher energy rating.

2. They’re Also Highly Cost Effective

Reverse cycle air conditioners may be more expensive upfront to purchase and install than a gas or electric heater, or an evaporative cooler. But the cost savings you’ll enjoy when you run the unit will more than make up for the initial purchase expense.

These units are usually split system air conditioners, which are relatively easy to install.

The energy efficient cost savings are not the only way that a reverse cycle air conditioner will work in your favour in terms of cost effectiveness. You’ll also benefit from simply having just one unit to take care of your heating and cooling instead of running separate systems for each function.

3. They Can Provide Cleaner, Healthier Air

Many reverse cycle air conditioners can improve the air quality in your home, with purifying capabilities that allergy sufferers in your home will truly appreciate.

If you’re someone who does suffer from hay fever or other allergies that are triggered by unwanted particles or impurities in the air, then look for a reverse cycle air conditioning system with a built in air filter.

In addition to being an allergy sufferer’s best friend, these air purifying filters can also aid in neutralising unpleasant odours and defusing airborne viruses and bacteria.

4. They are Safe for Families 

Reverse cycle air conditioners offer a level of safety for your family that is comparatively greater than other heating solutions. They reduce the potential for fire hazard that might come with a faulty gas heater or a portable heater coming into contact with a flammable product.

Additionally, they also eliminate the risk of young children burning themselves on conventional electric heaters or portable units that might be within arm’s reach. Being a split system air conditioner, the indoor unit is usually installed high on the wall (or on the ceiling).

On the cooling side of things, reverse cycle air conditioning units eliminate injury risk caused by hands coming into contact with fast moving fan blades. All in all, with no exposed flames or elements and no fan blades and by being installed up on the wall or the ceiling, they become one of the safest heating and cooling options for families.

5. They are Quiet When They Run

Air temperature is certainly a key factor when it comes to room comfort, but it’s not the only factor. The noise that comes from an air conditioner play a significant part in determining the comfort level of a room.

While an unserviced gas heater or ceiling fan will likely get noisy, a reverse cycle system is whisper quiet by comparison. When you can’t hear an air conditioner running but can feel it, you know it’s providing optimal comfort. 

How to Get the Most from Your Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning System

To really enjoy the benefits of your new reverse cycle air conditioning system, follow these tips before purchasing your unit.

1. Insulate your home – Quality insulation will help your reverse cycle air conditioning unit operate with optimal efficiency. Pay particular attention to the insulation in your ceiling.
2. Take note of star ratings – The rating system will determine the level of energy efficiency your reverse cycle air conditioner will provide. Like most household appliances, the more stars it boasts, the more energy efficient your unit will be.
3. Choose the right size unit – The size of your living space will determine the size of the reverse cycle air conditioner that you need. An air con that is too small will need to run for double or triple the amount of time to do the same job as an aircon sized correctly for the space. A unit that is too small for the room size will use far more energy, which means you’ll pay a lot more in energy costs. Meanwhile, a system that is too big for the space will not use more energy, but it will over cool or overheat the space. This can potentially shorten the lifespan of your system due to short cycling.
4. Use smart technology – If you’re aiming to have a smart home, use Wi-Fi connectivity to control your home’s temperature before you get out of bed in the morning or when you’re about to arrive home. Most top brands have this capability.

Speak to an air conditioning technician for assistance with determining the right capacity air conditioning system for your home.

Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning – The Option That Makes Sense

With so many different home heating and cooling options on the market, reverse cycle air conditioning simply makes sense. The multitude of benefits include:

• Highly energy efficient
• Superior cost effectiveness
• Delivery of clean and healthy air
• Optimal family safety and
• Quiet operation

These benefits merely scratch the surface. If you’re looking for a heating and cooling system that delivers an exceptional level of comfort and performance over the likes of electric heaters or ceiling fans, you can trust that reverse cycle systems will get the job done.

For more information contact the reverse cycle air conditioner experts at Metropolitan Air Conditioning. We deal in all major brands, including ActronAir, AquaMAX, Braemar, Fujitsu, Mitsubishi Electric, Rinnai and many others.

Please note: This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See our Terms & Conditions here.