Shop Local

The Importance of Shopping Local and Supporting Small Businesses

Often the reason business owners decide to branch out on their own is because they feel as though they can offer a better service or product than what is currently available, because of this there are so many benefits to shopping local and supporting small businesses.

We’ll delve deeper into a couple of those benefits and also talk about the different ways you can show your support.

 

 

A Better Shopping Experience

In today’s fast-paced world, online shopping is the preferred method of shopping. It’s quick, it’s easy and it’s cheaper however it completely eliminates human interaction. When you shop in store, you’re getting the desired product and/or service as well as an experience. The character of the business will often reflect the owner’s personality and by choosing to visit the store, you’re not only giving yourself the opportunity to get to know the person behind the service and/or product but you’re also giving them the opportunity to get to know you. Often, you’ll find employees will happily take the time to listen to your needs and find you the best solution because they care (and not just about your money) which is difficult to say about larger corporations with monthly sales targets determined by an interstate head office.

 

Strengthen the Local Economy

When you shop local, it comes back to full circle. Let’s break that down, shall we? By spending money, you’re creating demand. By creating a demand, there is an increased need for jobs. With an increased need for jobs, there are lower unemployment rates and lower unemployment rates lead to more people having a disposable income. That disposable income will (hopefully) be spent locally which then creates more demand and starts the cycle all over again.

It’s simple, when you shop local – you’re investing in your community.

 

So, how can you support local and small businesses?

Spend money, of course – particularly important during the holiday season! However, if you are unable to do so here are a couple of other ways to show your support for free.

  1. Raise Awareness
    Talk to your friends and family, share a Facebook or Instagram page or leave a positive review for others to see.
  2. Educate Yourself
    Research the local businesses in your area and make some time to go see what they have to offer.

 

 

Unfortunately, owning a business is tough these days. Online shopping and large franchises pose bigger and bigger issues to business owner’s every day.  So remember that when you support a local or small business – you’re supporting local people, local jobs and someone’s dream.

Ducted vs Split

Panasonic High Wall Split installed in a wall

What To Choose? Ducted Air Conditioners vs Split Air Conditioner 

So, you’re after an air conditioner but are stuck on which type to purchase – a ducted reverse cycle system or a high wall split system?

Both are effective at cooling a space, but the way that they do this differs dramatically. Your choice will often depend on a number of factors such as the space that you are wanting to cool, your budget, whether your home can accommodate the system, and much more.

Split-or-Ducted-Air-Coditioner-Panasonic

Ducted Air Conditioning

Ducted reverse cycle air conditioners work just as the name suggests – through a series of ducts. These are hidden within the roof space and out of sight, making it the more attractive choice. They contain a central unit, known as the fan-coil unit. Ducts then branch off of this fan-coil unit and run to different rooms/zones within your home. The air is expelled from the vents in your ceiling, which are the only visible parts of the system.

Return Air Grilles above a Kitchen
GREEN EFFICIENT LIVING CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH A NUMBER OF DUCTED REVERSE CYCLE AIR CONDITIONING OPTIONS THAT SUIT YOUR LIFESTYLE AND REDUCE ENERGY WASTAGE

There are many pros for ducted air conditioning in comparison to split systems, with one of the biggest being that you can easily and efficiently heat or cool your whole home at the touch of a button. Controlled by a thermostat, ducted systems are much better at keeping a consistent temperature throughout your whole home, but the option to have your system zoned means that you can individually control the amount of conditioned air to each room. There are two ways that you can do this; with a simple on/off switch, or a variable air volume controller which you can increase or decrease the amount of airflow to suit your requirements. The last option also allows for better air balancing throughout your system. The entire system is completely hidden within the roof cavity of your home (besides the vents in your ceilings), making it the more attractive option over split systems. Ducted systems are often a lot quieter than their counterparts, with the only noise being a quiet fan noise from the outdoor unit, and gentle passing of air through the central filtration grille.

Despite the extensive list of pros, ducted air conditioning systems also have their limitations. Ducted systems are the more expensive option to purchase and have installed. As the system is installed within your roof, technicians will need to spend a large amount of time and effort, cutting into your ceiling and this can often add to the cost. Having a ducted system installed is best done during the building or renovation of your home (but not limited to), and they can often be restricted to which homes they can be installed in. Apartments and dwellings with limited roof space often may not be able to have ducted systems installed due to this reason, and already built two-storey homes need a large amount of extra consideration and planning. They are also not the best option if you only spend an extensive amount of time in only a small area of your home.

Split System Air Conditioning

Split system air conditioners are the most ideal solution for single room heating and cooling. They are made up of two components – an indoor unit (head unit) and an outdoor unit (compressor). The indoor unit moves the cool air around the room, while the outdoor unit dissipates the heat from the cooled area (heat exchange).

Panasonic High Wall Split installed in a wall

Split system air conditioners are the more cost-effective choice to purchase and have installed. Due to the fact that you are not purchasing an entire system of ductwork and vents, the costs can be minimal in comparison to ducted systems. A considerably less amount of time is needed for technicians to install them, and there is minimal modification required to your home. If budget is a restraining factor, more split systems can be added to your home if you require later on, or as your budget allows. Due to the fact that split systems only heat or cool one room or space of your home, they have lower energy demands and therefore are quite cost-effective to run.

However, there are also cons involved with having a split system installed within your home. The heating or cooling capacity is limited with splits, and therefore may not be a possible option for your space. While they are the cheaper option singularly, if you need multiple units within your home, the costs can add up. The bulkiness of both the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, and the inability to hide them can often become an eyesore and stand out on your wall. So if you are looking for a neat and tidy option that is easily concealed, then a split system is not your choice.

So which option is best for me?

Each of these systems essentially performs the same job, but personal preferences and limitations can restrict which one is best for you. It is important to take into account each of the pros and cons provided so that your system benefits you for years to come.

Factors to think of when deciding include:

  • What maintenance/upkeep is included – A ducted system will require yearly services by a professional, while a split system will require more regular cleaning that can be completed by the homeowner, and professional servicing less frequently.
  • How much you want to spend – A ducted system will cost more to purchase and have installed upfront but the options to zone your system means that their running costs can be reduced. While a singular split system will cost less upfront, should you need to add more in the future, the costs can add up.
  • What area you are looking to cool – Do you want to cool your entire home or just one room? Should you only need one room cooled, is important to think about whether you will be wanting to cool more in the future.
  • Aesthetics – The way the system will look is also something to think about. While split systems stand-out on both an indoor and outdoor wall, they are becoming much more visually appealing.

If you are unsure about which system is best for you, call us today on (08) 8297 3422 to speak to one of our professionals. We can provide fuss-free quotes for more than one type of system so that you can weigh up your options.

Why Should You Have Your Air Conditioner Serviced?

Why Should You Have Your Air Conditioner Serviced?

Having your air conditioner serviced before the hot weather hits is smart for two reasons. Not only does it mean that you will be prepared for when the temperature starts to rise, but it also means that you will beat the rush of people trying to get theirs serviced during summer.

What Is Done During A Service?

During a scheduled routine service, a Green Efficient Living technician will complete a number of checks on the outdoor unit and indoor unit to ensure its compliance and that it is operating as it should.

The first thing that our technicians do will ask you whether or not your system is functioning properly. Have you heard any noises lately? Has it been playing up or not running as it normally would? Etc.

The return air will be then taken out and checked over, during which time our technicians run your system to inspect the outdoor unit. They will get the pressure readings, check electrical voltages and currents and ensure that there is no debris on the rear coilers of the unit.

After the service of the outdoor unit, they will then get into your roof to inspect that all electrical terminals are still tight, that the ductwork does not have any imperfections such as rips and that the main condensate drain isn’t blocked. During this time they will also inspect all zones by turning them on and off to ensure that they are all opening and closing as they should.

An example of dirty air conditioner filters covered in dust
Our technicians attended a service call for a faulty air conditioner and upon further inspection, the issue was simply dirty filters.

Can You Service Your Own Air Conditioner?

There are basic maintenance jobs that you can do yourself as the homeowner, such as cleaning the filters and ensuring that the outdoor unit stays unrestricted (see our post on that here). But when it comes to a complete annual service of your unit before using it again, this MUST be left entirely to the professionals. The smallest of attempts at servicing your own air conditioner can lead to serious unit damage or even electrocution!

Why Should You Have Your Air Conditioner Serviced?

The easiest way to understand exactly why you need to regularly service your air conditioner is for the same reason that you regularly service your car. You do not drive your car unserviced until it breaks down beyond repair and you are forced to buy a new one. Instead, you service it regularly to AVOID any serious breakdowns – an air conditioner is much the same.

There are many reasons why having your air conditioner professionally serviced is important:

1. It improves energy efficiency and saves you money on your electricity bills

Without periodic maintenance, your air conditioner will find it hard to run in prime condition. When this happens, it has to work a lot harder and consume more energy which in turn costs you more on your electricity bills! Avoid paying more by having a professional complete a service on your air conditioner to ensure that it is running as efficiently as possible.

2. It improves air quality

When your air conditioner isn’t working efficiently, it cannot properly filter the air is distributed into your home. An air conditioner that is running in perfect conditioner successfully filters out pollutants, pollen, dust and allergens, meaning the air that you and your family are breathing is cleaner and safer.

3. It extends your unit’s lifespan

Regular servicing and maintenance will extend the lifespan of your unit for all of the reasons mentioned above. It faults are left undetected, they can cause serious issues for your system in the future. These issues may result in costly repairs or even a unit replacement! However, by servicing it regularly you are increasing your system’s lifespan and keeping it running in perfect working order for many more years to come.

The professionals at Green Efficient Living recommend having your unit serviced annually, even if it is not showing any signs of faults or issues. To book your annual service, call us today on (08) 8297 3422.

Note: Green Efficient Living is currently holding their annual Pre-Summer Service Sale! Take advantage of our discounted prices and have your unit serviced before the hot weather is here!

Winter Is Here

If you live in Adelaide, you would surely understand just how drastically the temperature can change between summer and winter. One moment you are sitting in a puddle of your own sweat and within a matter of weeks, you are sitting in that same spot, with four layers of clothing on, clutching your coffee close to you.

Well, in case you haven’t noticed, winter is here and we think that it is time that you understand how to best care for and use your reverse cycle air conditioner during the colder weather to maximise your energy efficiency and save on your bills (you will thank us later).

Hitachi Wall Split Reverse Cycle Air ConditionerWhat Is Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning?

The name suggests it all. A reverse cycle air conditioner is one that can both cool your home in summer and keep you warm during winter.

A refrigerant is passed through an external coil, absorbing heat from the outside air. This refrigerant is then pumped through a compressor, into a fan coil unit inside the home, which then releases warm air into your room. When in heating mode, the unit works in the opposite or reverse way to when it is cooling.

Note: It absolutely does not have to be warm outside for this process to be successful. Reverse cycle air conditioners can perform this function in even the lowest of temperatures.

Benefits Of Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners

The first and in our opinion, the greatest benefit of reverse cycle air conditioners is that they are extremely efficient when it comes to their energy use and their cost over time. Most portable heaters or gas heaters may be cheaper to buy outright, but their energy usage is much higher than that of a reverse cycle system and therefore will cost you much more over time to run.

Another benefit is when purchasing a reverse cycle air conditioner, you are purchasing two systems in one and avoiding having to purchase both a cooling system and a heating system, thereby saving you money.

Reverse cycle air conditioners also help to purify the air during operation by trapping airborne particles. Some systems may also rid the air of odours and remove bacteria and viruses, which is especially handy in the homes of allergy sufferers and people with asthma.

Wall Split Air Conditioning Unit
Wall Split unit installed by Green Efficient Living

How To Prepare Your System For Winter

If you do already have a reverse cycle system installed in your home, there are a few things that you can do before the cold weather really sets in.

Clean Your Filters 

We have already written a blog on the importance of making sure that your filters are clean (read here), but we can’t stress enough just how damaging blocked filters can be. Blocked or dirty filters are often the first issue that we look for when on a service call, due to the fact that…

Adjust Your Thermostat 

Most people think that turning their heater up to 26 degrees in winter will warm the room up faster and keep them warmer for longer. All this will do is result in your system working harder and your energy bills increasing. During winter, have your system set to 18-22 degrees. Your room will still warm up just as fast and you will still feel just as warm, you just won’t be paying the extra on your energy bills or shortening the life of your system. It has been estimated that increasing the temperature on your air conditioner by just one degree can increase your costs by a large ten per cent!

Have It Serviced 

One very important point to remember is to have your system professionally serviced before a long summer or winter of using it. When a technician services your system, they make sure that everything is working as it should be and that your system is still providing the most energy efficient service that it can for your needs.

Conclusion

Using your reverse cycle air conditioner is no different in winter than it is in summer. Just remember to keep the temperature down, you will still stay warm, and to make sure your filters are clean. If you haven’t had your system serviced yet, Green Efficient Living have a special offer for you! You can have your Ducted Reverse Cycle system serviced from a low $200 ex GST, or a High Wall Split from $170 ex GST. Our offer ends VERY soon, so give us a call today to make sure that your system isn’t costing you more than it should this winter!