Air Conditioning - Maintenance & Cost Saving Tips

The main maintenance you need to perform for a reverse cycle (refrigerative) ducted air conditioning system is to clean the filter located in the return air grille. The return air grille is the big grille that sucks the air back into your system and can usually be found in a hallway or wall. 
To clean the filter you must first open the return air grille. Once you have opened this grille, you can either pull the filter out or clean it whilst still in the grille. You can clean it by either a quick vacuum or by washing with warm soapy water. You should clean the filter about once every 3 months. If the system starts to work less efficiently or the return air grille becomes noisy it is also a good sign that the filter needs a clean. 
Cleaning the filter regularly will ultimately increase the performance and longevity of your air conditioning unit. How you run your air conditioning system is also important. Try setting the temperature setting to an average level. 
If you put the settings on maximum, it will not make the air conditioner cool/heat any quicker, it will just prevent the unit from cycling off which will cost you more money. When running your air conditioner you should also try to run as little zones as possible. If you run to many zones, it will be costly to run your air conditioner. 
Also running fewer zones places less stress on the air conditioning unit which will ultimately increase it's lifespan. Finally, keep the outdoor unit clean and free from obstructions. 
Try to keep the area clean and free from any household items to aid in airflow. Wash down the outdoor unit every few months to slow down rust build up. If you adhere to these hints and tips you are sure to get many years of peace and comfort from your reverse cycle air conditioning system.