Energy efficient cooling devices

Efficient cooling devices are mechanical devices that use electricity, gas or solar electricity to heat or cool the home. They include air-conditioners, roof ventilation, ceiling fans and energy recovery ventilation systems. Ceiling fans are most effective when placed directly above people, not necessarily in the middle of the room

Air-conditioners will have star rating system that indicate the model’s energy efficiency through a star rating system and show an estimated annual energy consumption of the appliance. Newer models with a high star energy rating will cost less to run. However, while efficient cooling devices use less energy than other devices on the market, these devices alone cannot provide reduced running costs and increased comfort. The use of passive design principles such as shading, orientation and insulation can reduce the demand on air conditioners.

The energy demand for air conditioning can also be reduced by the following practices:

• Increase thermostat setting to warmest level that still provides for comfortable conditions.
• Use smart systems to reduce operating time of air conditioners. This could include sensors that turn off air conditioners when no one is in the room.
• Ceiling fans can be used to better circulate conditioned air and improve thermal comfort.
• Conditioned areas, such as bedrooms, should be well-insulated and sealed to stop hot air infiltration. Passively cooled zones, such as living areas, can provide a thermal buffer to reduce air conditioning demand.

Key Points

• Passive cooling approaches can help to improve thermal comfort and reduce energy bills through more efficient air conditioning.
• The effectiveness of approaches, such as cross-ventilation, will be improved when used in combination with other passive design approaches such as shading.
• Air conditioners are likely to be required in Darwin for some of the year to provide thermal comfort when the humidity is high. Energy efficiency of air conditioning can be improved through a range of practices.