Beat the Heat: An Essential Guide to Cleaning Your AC and Finding the Best Settings

As the seasons change, so does the need to keep your home comfortable. Whether you’re facing a scorching summer or a chilly winter, your air conditioner is essential for maintaining a pleasant living space. However, simply having a unit isn’t enough to guarantee comfort when extreme weather arrives.

To avoid being caught off guard, it’s important to be proactive. Proper preparation involves maintaining your unit, selecting energy-efficient settings, and knowing when to upgrade to a smarter model. By prepping your AC now, you’ll extend its lifespan, lower your energy bills, and ensure your home remains a comfortable sanctuary no matter the weather.

Below, we share our comprehensive guide to:

• • The best settings and temperatures to use
  • Our top air conditioners models to help you weather any event
  • Air conditioner maintenance and cleaning tips

Best Air Conditioner Settings for Different Seasons

Using the correct settings is the secret to staying comfortable without blowing your budget. Many people set their air conditioner to the lowest possible number in summer, but this is often unnecessary and expensive.

Our Recommendations: Top 4 Air Conditioners for Extreme Weather

If your air conditioner is rattling, leaking, or simply not keeping up with the temperature, it might be time for an upgrade. Modern reverse cycle split system air conditioners offer incredible features designed specifically for extreme climates, focusing on air purification, smart connectivity and greater energy efficiency.

Below we share 4x standout models that excel in keeping Australian homes comfortable year-round.

1. Fujitsu Lifestyle Next Range (SET-ASTG09KMTC-NXT)

Best for: Bedrooms and Home Offices

The Fujitsu C2.5kW H3.2kW Reverse Cycle Split System delivers smart, efficient cooling for smaller spaces. Combining sleek design with powerful performance, it also prioritises health with its Apple-Catechin filter, which removes fine particles, dust and harmful microorganisms from the air.

Key features for extreme weather prep:

• Human Sensor: This clever feature detects movement in the room. If no one is around, it switches to energy-saving mode, ensuring you aren’t wasting electricity cooling an empty room.
• myanywAiR® Next App: You can control your climate from anywhere. If a heatwave hits while you are at work, turn the AC on remotely so you return to a cool home.
• Apple-Catechin Filter:Helps you breathe cleaner air by filtering out pollutants that often accompany extreme weather, such as dust and pollen.

2. Mitsubishi Electric Reverse Cycle Split System (MSZAP25VGD2KIT2)

Best for: Quiet Operation and Cleanliness

Perfect for smaller areas, this Mitsubishi Electric C2.5kW H3.2kW unit is incredibly efficient thanks to its Full Inverter Technology. This model is ideal for light sleepers or nurseries with its ‘Night Mode’, which dims the operation indicator, disables beeps and lowers the outdoor unit’s noise level.

Maintenance is also simplified with the Dual Barrier Coating, which prevents dust and grease from entering the air conditioner, keeping the unit cleaner inside and out.

Key features for extreme weather prep:

• • • • • Dual Barrier Coating: Reduces the build up of dust and dirt on the internal parts, maintaining efficiency and airflow over time.
        • i-save Mode: A simplified setting function that recalls your preferred (pre-set) temperature at the press of a button.
        • Wi-Fi Control: Manage the air conditioner via smartphone, tablet, or online account, giving you total control over your environment before you even step through the door.

3. Westinghouse Reverse Cycle Split System (WSD27HWA)

Best for: Air Quality and Purification

This Westinghouse C2.7kW H3.5kW Split System keeps you comfortable year-round, making summers breezy and winters warm. It’s an excellent choice for those who value air quality, featuring a HEPA 13 filter that eliminates up to 99.9% of harmful bacteria.

The unit features a ‘Follow Me’ mode where the remote acts as the thermostat. It measures the temperature at its location, rather than at the wall unit, to ensure your immediate surroundings are always comfortable.

Key features for extreme weather prep:

• • • HEPA 13 Filter: Essential for allergy sufferers during high-pollen seasons or dusty weather, ensuring the air you breathe is purified.
    • Self-Clean Function: This automatically removes dirt, mildew, and bacteria from the unit’s parts, reducing the manual cleaning load and keeping the air clean. 
    • Smart Compatibility: Works with the +Home app and is compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for hands-free voice control.

4. Teco Reverse Cycle Split System (TWS-TSO70H3DVK)

Best for: Large Living Spaces

For larger open-plan living areas, you need a unit with serious power. The Teco C7kW H7kW Reverse Cycle Split System delivers exactly that. It boasts a high-density filter with 40% more holes than older models, trapping and removing more contaminants.

Key features for extreme weather prep:

• • • 3D Air Flow: Combining vertical and horizontal auto-swing to circulate air to every corner of the room, eliminating hot or cold pockets. 
    • Advanced Self-Cleaning: The unit captures dust on the indoor coil and then quickly cools and defrosts it to flush away contaminants.
    • Interactive Digital Display: Easily monitor your temperature settings and modes at a glance.
    • Smart Compatibility: Works with the Teco app and is compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for hands-free voice control.

Air Conditioner Cleaning Guide

Even the best models require maintenance to run efficiently. A dirty air conditioner works harder to push air through clogged filters, which drives up your energy usage and can lead to breakdowns right when you need the unit most.

Here is a simple step-by-step guide on how to clean your air conditioner:

Step 1: Power Off

Always turn off the power to the unit at the wall before you start cleaning.

Step 2: Clean the Filters

Open the front panel of your indoor unit and remove the mesh filters. Vacuum them gently to remove loose dust. For a deeper clean, wash them in warm water with a mild detergent. Let them dry completely in the shade before reinstalling.

Step 3: Wipe Down the Air Outlet 

Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe down the inside of the air outlet and the horizontal/vertical vanes (flaps) that direct the air. If you removed the entire front cover panel of the AC, wipe that down as well.

Step 4: Vacuum the Heat Exchanger (Cooling Coils)

The heat exchanger (the metal fins behind the filters) needs gentle cleaning. To clean the heat exchanger fins, use a soft brush attached to a vacuum hose and move it vertically along the fins’ direction to prevent damage, or use a duster as an alternative.

Step 5: Run the Self-Clean Mode (Optional) 

If your air conditioner model (like the Westinghouse or Teco mentioned above) has a self-clean function, run this cycle regularly to keep the internal coils free of mould and bacteria.

Step 6: Reassemble and Power On

Once all parts are clean and dry, reinstall the filters and other components, close the front panel, restore main power, and test the unit.

Always consult your air conditioner’s instruction manual for detailed cleaning and maintenance instructions. 

Ready Your Home for Any Weather

Extreme weather doesn’t have to mean extreme discomfort. By choosing the right air conditioner model for your space, keeping up with regular air conditioner maintenance, and using smart settings, you can protect your home and your wallet.

Whether you need the powerful airflow of Teco’s 3D Air Flow for your living room or the hygienic precision of Fujitsu’s Apple-Catechin filter, upgrading your air conditioner is an investment in year-round peace of mind. Check your filters today, adjust your settings, and enjoy a perfectly climate-controlled home.

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