How does reverse cycle air conditioning work?

When in heating mode, the reverse cycle air con (also known as a heat pump) extracts heat from the outside air and transfers this inside. This heat is then released into the room as a result of the refrigerant being pumped through a condenser. To cool down a room, the flow of refrigerant is reversed — resulting in cool air being expelled from the unit.

What are the benefits of heat pumps / reverse cycle air con?

Heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular across Australia. Not only are they extremely economical and versatile, but they also filter and dehumidify the air in your home — and have an average lifespan of 20 years. Heat pumps also lack exposed elements of flames, and so are significantly safer than traditional open-bar heaters.

What makes this type of air con so energy efficient?

Reverse cycle air con is the most efficient form of heating available. It can give about twice the output as an electric heater for the same running costs — perfect if you’re trying to keep your family’s energy costs to a minimum. This is because up to three or more units of heat can be transferred for every unit of electricity used to run the machine. And by reversing the cycle, running costs for cooling (air conditioning) are kept as low as possible too.

To find out more about reverse cycle air conditioning and how it can help YOUR family reduce its energy costs, call the friendly team at ACER Services on 3823 3577.

If you do not have a safety switch in your house, you could be putting yourself at risk from electric shock-related injuries such as burns, heart failure — or in extreme cases, even death by electrocution.

So when thinking about safety switch installation in your home, what are the key considerations? We’ve outlined them below…

Hire a licensed Brisbane or Gold Coast electrician to carry out the job

Safety switches work by quickly switching off your electricity when they detect a fault current running to earth. They ‘trip’ (cut off the electrical current) within 0.02 of a second, which significantly reduces the risk of electrocution. However, to ensure your safety switch does its job, it’s important that it is installed by a qualified electrician.

Generally speaking, you will require two different types of safety switches — one on the power circuit and the other on the lighting circuit — and your Brisbane electrician will be able to install both of these for you. They will also choose the right size (amperage rating) for your home’s electricity load.

Be aware that your switchboard may need to be upgraded

A safety switch can usually be mounted on to your existing switchboard, which makes the installation a very straightforward job.

However, if your switchboard is an old-style version with porcelain fuses, it may have to be upgraded in order to accommodate your safety switch — making it a slightly longer and more complex task for your electrician. In some cases, a special safety switch enclosure can also be built around the old switchboard. Speak to your local electrician to find out which type is best for you.

Remember to have an electrician perform regular testing of your existing safety switches
Simply pressing the test button is not always a confirmation that your safety switch is operating as per regulatory requirements — especially in older houses.

That’s why it’s important to regularly have your safety switches tested by a professional Brisbane or Gold Coast electrician. Your electrician will test the switch using a specific safety switch tester that will trip the circuit and give them a digital readout of the time delay before isolation. This will ensure that ALL your safety switches are working as they should be — giving you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your family is protected.

To arrange for one of our expert Brisbane electricians to install a safety switch in your house, simply call us today on 3823 3577.

That’s why Queensland Fire & Rescue Service (QFRS) and Duracell have joined forces to bring us an important fire safety message this April Fool’s Day.  Remember:

Don’t be a fool this April 1st, change your smoke alarm battery.

Changing your smoke alarm battery

It’s recommended that you replace your smoke alarm battery with a long-lasting alkaline battery every 12 months — because only working smoke alarms save lives.
If you’re unsure whether your fire alarm is functioning or not, our friendly team can help! Just pick up the phone and we’ll come out and inspect it, to give you ultimate peace of mind for the year ahead.

My smoke alarm isn’t working — what should I do?

There are a number of signs that show your smoke alarm may be broken, including:

• No sound when you press the test button, or
• A continually beeping smoke alarm.

If you suspect your alarm may be broken, you need to act quickly and get it replaced as soon as you can.

Smoke alarm installation

At ACER Services, we supply and install all types of smoke alarms, including hard-wired smoke alarms.

If you suspect that your alarm may be broken, don’t take the risk! Simply contact us and we’ll install a brand new smoke alarm — so you can have complete peace of mind when it comes to protecting your family from fire.

Call our friendly team today on 3823 3577 for smoke alarm checking and installation.

There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach — so it’s best to speak to an expert about your individual circumstances BEFORE you decide. To help with this process, here are a few questions that your home air conditioning technician should ask…

Which rooms in your home require air conditioning?

If you just want to air condition a few rooms (for example your lounge room and a bedroom), the best option is to set up split system air conditioning unit in each area.

This type of system is easier to install than ducted air con, and gives you more control over individual room temperatures. But it does have some drawbacks — especially if you want to expand your home air conditioning system at a later stage.

What are your family’s long-term home air conditioning requirements?

It is very important therefore to consider not only your current needs, but to plan for future home air conditioning requirements as well.

For example, if you purchase a split system to air condition only a few rooms, and later decide that you want to cool more areas in your home — you would have to make a difficult choice. Either change the whole house over to a ducted air conditioning system, or add more individual split system airconditioner units (which would be more costly in the long run).

What is your home air conditioning budget?

Of course, your budget is important — but when it comes to choosing the best type of home air conditioning you shouldn’t base your decision entirely on price. You also have to pay close attention to the quality of the units to ensure your air con will be built to last.

More often than not, the cheap models of home air conditioning end up costing you more in the long run. They work less efficiently using much more energy — causing your running costs to soar. They also tend to break down more frequently, which means you’ll have to spend more on services and maintenance. So when it comes to your home air conditioning, be sure to select a brand that’s well established in the market and offers a five-year warranty as a minimum.

To speak to an expert about your home air conditioning needs, call the friendly team at ACER Services on (07) 3823 3577.