The rising cost of living means it’s important to save money wherever you can. One of the easiest ways to save is to make sure you’re using your gas ducted heater correctly!
Heating and cooling your home takes a lot of energy. It accounts for about 40% of household energy use, so it can be a big chunk of your energy bills.
Gas ducted heating is a great way to cut your bills down to size, but it can be inefficient when used incorrectly. To help out, we’re going to share some of our favourite tips on how to save money on your gas ducted heater!
How to Save Money on Your Gas Ducted Heater
1. Opt for a 6-star or 7-star gas ducted heater
Manufacturers like Braemar and Brivis now offer gas ducted heaters with 6 and 7-star energy ratings. These systems are incredibly efficient and come with smart features like heat modulation that can decrease your gas consumption dramatically.
When compared to a 3-star heater, it’s estimated that a 7-star gas ducted heater can save you about $570 per year in running costs.
2. Choose the right size heater for your home
The size of your gas ducted heater has a major impact on its efficiency. A unit that’s too small will run at maximum capacity constantly and increase your running costs. A unit that’s too large will cycle on and off frequently, and it may provide poor heating.
Gas ducted heaters should always be installed by a professional. Before you settle on a system, make sure you get a quote from your installer. They’ll measure your property and figure out the right size system for your home.
You can use this formula as a guide to choosing the correct size for your gas ducted heater:
Living Area (Square Metres) x 130 Watts = Ideal Heater Size
The “living area” of your home includes all the rooms and spaces you want to heat. It generally excludes areas like the garage that don’t require heating.
3. Seal air leaks around windows and doors
Air leaks around external windows and doors cause up to 25% of heat loss during winter. While these gaps look small, they can create large draughts that suck the heated air out of your home.
Sealing these gaps is easy. Window caulk is DIY-friendly and an effective way of sealing gaps between the windows, frames and walls of your homes. Doors can be made airtight using stick-on weather strips.
Make this trick even more effective by keeping your curtains closed while the gas ducted heater is running. Curtains provide insulation against heat loss through your windows, which can lower your gas bill even further.
4. Keep the thermostat set to 18-20C
You add 10% to your energy consumption for every extra degree you increase the heating in your home. While it can be tempting to crank the heat on cold mornings, you’re better off keeping the thermostat set between 18C-20C.
We recommend turning your thermostat down to 18C overnight while you’re under the covers, and then increasing it to 20C during the day. If you’re still feeling chilly, try adding another layer before you increase the thermostat!
5. Use the heater’s energy-saving features
Modern gas ducted heaters come with energy-saving technology that can substantially reduce your running costs. Smart features like night mode can automatically adjust the thermostat to keep your power consumption under control.
You can also use zoning controls to close heating outlets in parts of the home that aren’t in use. For example, you typically don’t need to heat bedrooms during the day, or the living room during the night.
6. Invest in regular maintenance for your gas ducted heater
Gas ducted heaters require yearly maintenance to ensure they’re running perfectly.
This is because dust and debris build up within the system and decrease its efficiency. When it’s running inefficiently, your gas ducted heater will consume more energy than it needs to, increasing your gas bills.
During your regular maintenance appointment, a technician will inspect, clean and test the system. Simple cleaning tasks increase efficiency, and the inspection will reveal minor issues before they turn into major repairs.
Save $500 With the AGN Rebate
Australian Gas Networks (AGN) is currently offering a rebate in South Australia!
You can save $500 when you replace a gas ducted heater with a new unit that’s rated 5-stars or higher. There’s also a rebate of $750 for installing a new, energy efficient gas ducted heater.
That’s a saving of 10% on the cost of replacing your existing gas ducted heater. See our current promotions for more information.
Save Money on Your Gas Ducted Heater With Servicing From the Air Con Doctor!
Gas ducted heating is the best way to keep your home warm in winter. Modern systems are quiet, efficient and they can save you hundreds of dollars compared to electric heating. Read our ultimate guide to gas ducted heating for more information.
But gas ducted heaters require regular maintenance. They filter dust and debris out of the air, which can clog filters and cause the system to work overtime. The only way to avoid this is to book a maintenance appointment with the Air Conditioning Doctor!
The Air Conditioning Doctor specialises in maintaining gas ducted heaters across Adelaide. How often you need to have your gas ducted system serviced will depend on a few factors.
Contact us online to book an appointment, or give us a call if you’re interested in saving money on your energy bills!
Stephen Maitland is the Director of Air Conditioning Doctor and has over 20 years of experience in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. He founded the company in 2007 to be Adelaide’s leading air conditioning repair, replacement and installation specialist.
As a certified Refrigeration Mechanic with a full unrestricted ARC license, his technical knowledge and years of experience allow him to diagnose problems quickly and offer practical and efficient solutions for his customers.
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