| Your
Home |
Different
homes require different cooling solutions. Consider the
size of your home, whether it's double or single storey,
and if your house is on a slab or stumps/piers |
| Personal comfort: |
can you cool
your bedrooms and living areas at the same time? |
| Size needed: |
how many rooms
do you want cooled? |
| Zoning: |
can you cool
just the rooms you want (eg. living areas in the daytime,
bedrooms at night)? |
| Whole house
cooling: |
would you like
every room in your home to be cooled, or just the living
areas? |
| If you're building: |
it's often
best to install your cooler during construction |
|
| Product
Performance the Cooling Unit |
Performance
will depend on whether you have selected the right cooler
for your type of house and whether the cooler has been
correctly sized. |
| Start up and
shut down: |
does the cooler
pre-wet the pads for maximum effect when first turned
on? |
| Appearance:
|
are there several
choices of colour to suit your roof? |
| Water Management
System: |
does the cooler
have an advanced water management system to provide effective
cooling? |
|
| Product
performance controls |
Controlling
your system should be easy. Wall controllers should be
sophisticated yet simple to use. |
| Programmable: |
do you want
to have the unit start before you get up, or shut down
after you go to bed? |
| Comfort Control:
|
can you easily
adjust the comfort level? |
| Adaptability: |
can the controls
handle a heating system if required in the future? |
| Flexibility:
|
can you switch
from automatic to manual operation at the flick of a switch?
|
|
| Ductwork
& fittings |
The
performance of a ducted cooling system is greatly affected
by the ductwork, which brings the cool air from the unit
into your home. |
| Insulation
properties: |
is the ductwork
insulated? |
| Location:
|
what size is
required to cool each area? |
| Ceiling outlets:
|
is more than
one outlet required? |
| Duct system:
|
is the ductwork
large enough to deliver all the cool air that the unit
produces? |
|
| Service |
A
good central cooler should last 15-20 years, often longer
- but only if it is regularly maintained. |
| Response time: |
if your unit
needs attention, can you get it attended to quickly? |
| Service backup: |
does the manufacturer
have their own service department and trained agents? |
| Convenience: |
do they operate
a seven-day service and can you get help over the phone? |
| Maintenance: |
do they offer
a service to maintain the unit in future years? |
| Warranty: |
do they offer
a comprehensive warranty? will they honour it? |
|
| Installation |
The performance of your cooler relies a great deal on
its installation. Ensure that your installer is a trained
specialist. The R100 difference in quotes means nothing
if you don't trust the installer to cut holes in your
ceiling. |
| Professionalism: |
does the manufacturer
recommend the installer? |
| Credibility: |
do they show
evidence of work they have completed in your area? |
| Workmanship: |
have they
explained how the unit is to be installed and where the
ducts should go? |
| Duct plan: |
have they
measured your house for the right size unit and shown
you the plan? |
| Commissioning: |
will they
go through the instructions and teach you how to get the
best out of your system? |
|
| The
Manufacturer |
Manufacturers
all claim they have quality procedures and reliable products.
Make sure you get enough proof of this to make an informed
decision. You need to trust that the manufacturer will
support you. |
| Quality goods: |
do you want
a quality made product? |
| Customer focus: |
can the manufacturer
support your needs? |
| Specialisation: |
do they specialise
in cooling, or sell other products as well? |
| Guarantee: |
do they guarantee
the whole system or just their cooling unit? |
| Quality: |
do they have
ISO Quality accreditation and EMC compliance? |
|
| Fresh,
Healthy Air |
Evaporative
cooling is based on a totally natural process of air cooled
by water. Refrigeration uses a process which may harm
the environment. |
| Doors and
windows open: |
do you have
a lifestyle which suits having your doors and windows
open in Summer? |
| Allergies:
|
do your skin
and eyes get irritated by dry air? |
| Re-circulated
air: |
do you want
the air in your house to be completely replaced, or re-circulated?
|
