Whether or not you believe the climate is changing because of this global warming business, Summers in Australia are extremely hot, always have been and always will be. Most Australians on a hot summers day are not at the beach, but in the comfort of their own homes, with the air conditioning cranking, this of course causes the old power meter to GO CRAZY!.
I have lived in Sydney my whole life and I have always grown up with air conditioning and my parents have never been afraid to use it, however some of my friends growing had air conditioning – but they were NEVER allowed to use it. Their parents were so scared of the next electricity bill that they would ban anyone from using the air con system – and that was back when electricity prices were half the price they were today.
This is why when I was flicking through my Wife’s favourite magazine – That’s Life and came accross an ad for Solar Air Conditioning, I thought it was a great idea – this makes perfect sense – when do you need air conditioning the most – when the sun is at it’s hottest!!
So they claim here is (and I haven’t investigated this 100%) that solar air conditioners will cut your air conditioning running costs by 30-50%! Not only that by they are much quieter than your traditional electric split system air conditioner.
I have know of people getting solar hot water systems in the past - but this is the first time I have even heard of solar air conditioning.
On further investigation I found out that Solar air conditioners are a “hybrid” system, what does this mean? NO it doesn’t mean they are from Tasmania, that’s something else. Hybrid means that it is powered by a solar collector and backed up by a compressor which is powered by electricity. So when there is power available that has been collected by the thermal collector, the compressor is shut off until the solar power has run out, at which point the electricity clicks back on and powers the compressor.
One of the major advantages of a thermal collector is that you don’t need to get any solar panels on your roof, you just have the thermal solar collector positioned right next to the air conditioning unit (see the picture) and your good to go.
How Much Does Solar Air Conditioning Cost?
Here’s the interesting part, solar air conditioners cost between $2,300-$3,000 fully installed for a 3.5KW split system. There are also 7.2KW split systems and even ducted air conditioning options available out there.
Most companies supplying these units will give a 5 Year Manufacturer guarantee and most of them claim that the air conditioner will pay itself back within 5 years (and that’s based on today’s electricity costs).
Solar Air Conditioning Quality Assurance
As with most new technologies there will be a flurry of new products hitting the market, you need to be very weary about the units you are looking into buying and ensure they are MEPS (Minimum Energy Performance Standards) approved – this is what most people know as the Energy Star Rating, and means that the unit has undergone testing and accreditation by Australian authorities.
Also ensure that your air conditioner is installed by a certified technician – preferably one with accreditation from the Clean Energy Council Australia. Also ask them how long they have been installing solar air conditioning – you know all the usual questions.
I am still on the fence about whether or not I will upgrade my current split system to a solar air con system – I mean I think it will come to a point where major manufacturers are supplying these and it will be silly not to get one (p.s. LG have already started – but there’s is not a thermal system). But I think this is an extremely important money saving innovation for Australia in particular and I will be doing my best to promote it.