Bunnings Warehouse catalogue February 2023 - page 62 *

Wi-fi ready! Carrier ‘Allure’ 2.0kW reverse cycle split system airconditioner, $949, I/N: 0236189†. Ceiling fans IT PAYS TO INSULATE Good roof and ceiling insulation can save up to 45 per cent* on heating and cooling costs, so it’s worth having quality ceiling batts installed. If you’re handy, some products can be a DIY project. Don’t forget windows: invest in blinds, curtains or both, then try to keep them all closed during the heat of the day to limit solar heat gain. How do they work? Fans don’t chill the air, they just move it around. Your body cools itself by perspiring, and fans enhance the effect by generating a breeze over your skin. Typically, running a fan is roughly equivalent in comfort to a temperature reduction of 3°C*. On average, fans use less energy than airconditioners, making them cheaper to run. They come in a range of styles to suit all decors, and need to be hardwired and installed by a licensed electrician. Selected Bunnings stores offer an installation service (ask at the Special Orders Desk)‡. Before selecting a model, size up your room. The team at Arlec advises that, as a guide, fans up to 1000mm diameter can be installed in small rooms up to 13sqm: “For medium-sized rooms up to 20sqm, consider installing a fan with 1000-1200mm diameter, while rooms larger than 20sqm suit fans with a 1200mm blade diameter or larger.” For a large, open-plan space, you may need more than one fan. Fans must be at least 2.1m from the ground, so a room with low ceilings won’t be suitable. Tall or raked ceilings? 62 bunnings.co.nz | bunningsnz | You can use an extension rod to have a fan installed at the optimum level. Ideal for: Any single room or space that regularly needs cooling. Top tip: Pick a fan with a summer/ winter switch. In cold weather, run it clockwise to push warmth from your heat source down into the room. Airconditioners How do they work? They bring down the temperature of the actual air in a room. Window units, installed in either a window or, in some cases, through a wall, serve a single room. Split systems house the compressor outside, with the air outlet unit in the room. If you have a larger home and want to cool more than one room, consider a multi split system, which has a number of air outlets connected to a single compressor, or ducted airconditioning, which can cool the whole home – some models even allow you to operate different areas as needed. Reverse-cycle systems are year-round options – they can both cool down or warm up a room. It’s important to buy a system to suit the size of your space and check the energy rating for efficiency. Also, factor in ongoing maintenance costs, plus installation by a licensed technician. Some Bunnings stores offer an installation service (ask at the Special Orders Desk)‡. Ideal for: Single rooms to entire homes. Top tip: Use both aircon and fans for more air movement – and to keep costs down. Portable ners airconditio How do they work? Like fixed units, portable aircons draw in warm air, cool it and vent via a hose through a window (check if a venting kit is included or sold separately). The operating process also means water condensation is collected, often in a tank that will need to be emptied “Timber-bladed fans are quieter and suited to bedrooms, whereas fans with ABS blades often move more air” The team at Arlec bunnings