Reverse Cycle Split System Air Conditioner

Our hot, dry climate means your air conditioner will run more often in the coming months to keep you and your family comfortable. However, with the right approach and some smart thinking, you can stay cool without skyrocketing your electricity bills or causing unnecessary wear on your system.

We have put together seven practical steps (with tips) to help you operate your reverse cycle split system air conditioner more effectively and efficiently during summer.

1. Setting the Right Temperature

Choosing a sensible thermostat setting is one of the easiest ways to balance comfort with efficiency for your reverse cycle split system air conditioner.

• Aim for around 22–26°C in summer: This range is comfortable for most people and helps avoid overworking your unit. Going much lower forces your air conditioner to work harder and use more energy.
• Avoid constantly changing the temperature/thermostat:  A consistent setting is more energy-efficient than frequent adjustments.

Tip: If you often feel too warm or too cold at the same temperature, check the location of your indoor unit’s thermostat sensor. Heat from nearby appliances, direct sunlight, or rising warm air from lamps can trick the sensor and cause uneven cooling. Keeping the area around the unit clear can help it measure the room accurately and maintain a more stable temperature.

2. Keep Your Home Sealed and Shaded

Preventing warm air from entering and cool air from escaping reduces the work your reverse cycle split system air conditioner must do:

• Close doors and seal gaps around windows and doors to stop draughts.
• Close curtains, blinds or shades during the hottest part of the day to block direct sunlight. External shading (awnings or shutters) offers even more protection.
• Keeping unused areas closed off also focuses cooling where it’s needed most.

Tip: Open windows overnight or early in the morning when the outside air is noticeably cooler than the indoor air. This releases any trapped heat, so your split system has far less work to do once temperatures rise.

3. Use Fans to Help Circulate Air

Ceiling fans or portable fans are a great complement to your reverse-cycle split system air conditioner:

• Fans don’t cool the air, but they improve air circulation, which lets you raise the thermostat a few degrees to save energy without losing comfort.
• Running fans can make rooms feel cooler by boosting airflow, therefore helping your air conditioner work less.

Tip: Set your ceiling fan to anticlockwise rotation for summer. This pushes air downward to create a noticeable cooling breeze, allowing your Reverse Cycle Split System Air Conditioner to maintain comfort on a milder setting. Many people leave fans on the winter rotation by accident and miss out on a free boost in cooling efficiency.

4. Don’t Constantly Turn It On and Off

It’s a common myth that switching your unit on only when you feel hot saves energy, but in reality:

• Repeated start-ups use more energy because the compressor works hardest at startup. Maintaining a steady, moderate temperature during occupied times is usually more efficient.
• This is especially true for modern inverter systems, which maintain temperature efficiently once up and running.

Tip: Instead of turning your unit off completely during short outings, use the “setback” method. Increase the temperature by 2–3 degrees before leaving. This prevents indoor heat from building up too much and keeps the air conditioner from working overtime when you return.

5. Keep Filters and Units Clean

Maintaining your reverse cycle split system air conditioner is the best way to ensure maximum efficiency and economy, especially during extended periods of use:

• Clean or replace the reverse cycle split system air conditioner filters regularly (every 1–3 months is a good rule of thumb). Dirty filters restrict airflow, forcing the system to work harder.

• Get your reverse cycle split system air conditioner professionally serviced before summer. Our technicians at Glow HCE can clean coils, check refrigerant levels, and inspect components for optimal performance.

• Also keep the outdoor unit clear of debris, leaves, and vegetation to ensure proper airflow and cooling efficiency.

Tip: Make it a habit to gently vacuum the air intake grilles and the surrounding wall area when you clean your filters. Dust sitting on the outside of the unit gets pulled inward and can quickly re-dirty your filters, restricting airflow sooner than expected.

6. Use Smart Controls and Timer Functions

Modern controllers for reverse cycle split system air conditioners make efficient use easy by:

• Programmable timers and smart thermostat settings let you schedule when your air conditioner operates so it’s not cooling an empty house all day.
• Intelligent systems can even learn your routine or be adjusted remotely via smartphone apps.
• Economy or “Eco” modes on many units reduce power consumption while still keeping you cool.

Tip: If your unit supports Wi-Fi or app control, enable geo-fencing if the function is available. This smart feature detects when your phone leaves or returns home and automatically adjusts your air conditioner. It prevents accidental all-day run times while still ensuring you walk into a cool home.

7. Consider Upgrading Older Systems

If your Reverse Cycle Split System Air Conditioner is over a decade old:

• Newer models are significantly more efficient, thanks to dynamic cooling adjustments and smarter compressors.
• Upgrading can significantly reduce running costs over time, even with an upfront investment.

Tip: When comparing replacement systems, look beyond the star rating—ask about airflow output (L/s) and fan noise levels (dBA). Stronger airflow cools a room faster and more evenly, while lower noise levels make your home more comfortable. Modern high-efficiency units often deliver major improvements in both areas.

By following these practical steps and tips, you can help your reverse cycle split system air conditioner work more efficiently, maximise performance, and enjoy reliable, effective cooling when and where you need it most, without placing unnecessary strain on your system or drastically increasing your energy bills.