5 Effective Home Office Cooling Tips for a Comfortable Workspace

The working from home trend in Australia, predominately driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, has been on the rise since March 2020¹, which means many people could be in their  home office environment throughout the summer months. For those used to working in air conditioned offices, the at-home work space may not meet their indoor comfort needs to remain focused and productive on hot summer days.

If your home already has air conditioning installed, or you are considering air conditioning as your preferred temperature control solution, the following tips will help to create a comfortable environment so you can keep your cool while working.

1. Don’t set the temperature too low and ensure mode is changed to cooling

When the temperature outside is unbearable, it can be very tempting to lower the air conditioning temperature indoors to cool your home faster. However, this can put unnecessary pressure on the system and can contribute to an increase in energy use, leading to a higher than normal bill at the end of the quarter. In summer, ensure the air conditioner mode is changed to cooling, and GENERAL Australia (formerly Fujitsu General Australia) recommends setting the temperature to 23 degrees Celsius, to create a comfortable environment while minimising energy consumption.

2. Use timers and start cooling earlier in the day  

Use programmable timers to start the air conditioner earlier in the day. At the beginning of the day, the air inside and outside your home is generally cooler. This can assist the air conditioning system to use less energy reaching the set temperature. Switching the air conditioner on during the hottest part of the day can make the system work much harder and take longer to cool down your home.

3. Use Wi-Fi innovations to manage air conditioning systems from smart devices  
Smart technology makes it easy to control an air conditioner from the desk using a smartphone or tablet, or using voice command when available. GENERAL Australia offers a suite of Wi-Fi controller options for those with existing General Airstage (formerly Fujitsu)  air conditioning systems up to 10 years old operating a wireless remote control with infrared technology, or those purchasing a new system. The GENERAL (formerly Fujitsu General) anywAiR^® technology range currently includes an infrared Wi-Fi device for wall mounted units, a plug-in* Wi-Fi adaptor for compatible  General Airstage Lifestyle indoor air conditioners, and the GENERAL anywAiR^® technology ducted controller for ducted systems.

4. Control the areas being cooled to avoid wasting energy

Optimise air conditioner use during the extreme temperatures of summer by cooling the spaces where your home office is set up. Ducted air conditioning systems can enable this when the optional zone controller is installed, to direct air flow to specified areas within your home. However, if  your home has one wall mounted unit installed in the living area, and your home office is set up in another room, you may want to consider relocating to the living room on those really hot days. Additionally, closing doors to rooms not being used during the day will guide the cool air to where you need it.

5. Keep the indoor and outdoor units clean

Dust and debris can build up on both the indoor and outdoor unit, restricting airflow. This can cause the system to work harder, leading to higher energy usage and increased running costs. Wipe them down, and clean the indoor unit filters regularly.

For more information on General Airstage air conditioning systems or Wi-Fi remote control options, visit our site or contact General Assist (formerly Fujitsu General Assist) on 1300 364 484  to speak to a member of our friendly customer service team.