By Claire Reilly
Kelvinator has been busy promoting its latest air conditioning line-up over the summer, with the manufacturer releasing a range of units that feature a new technology designed to manage power use during peak times.
The new split-system inverter air conditioners are the first in Australia to be fitted with Peak Smart technology, according to Yann Le Roux, category manager of aircare at Electrolux Home Products (parent company of Kelvinator).
“Peak smart technology is activated by a device supplied by the energy utility and installed to the interior of the air-conditioning unit,” said Le Roux. “On peak demand days, the energy supplier sends a remote signal to the unit which caps its energy consumption without reducing its effectiveness.”
This technology is particularly effective in areas such as Queensland and South Australia that experience power outages in peak demand periods (usually between 4pm and 8pm in summer). In light of this, south-east Queensland energy utility Energex is encouraging consumers to purchase air conditioners fitted with Peak Smart, offering $250 gift cards as an incentive.
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“Already 2100 home owners in Redland are participating in Energex power efficiency trials, which are being conducted across south-east Queensland.
“The Peak Smart technology, which some of our Kelvinator air conditioners have the capacity to use, is a great initiative by energy suppliers such as Energex because it addresses the major concerns of both energy suppliers and consumers,” said Le Roux. “The authorities are concerned about meeting energy demands and consumers don't want to use any more energy and pay more than they need.”
Le Roux also emphasised that during a series of pilot programs to test the technology, there was no adverse impact on consumer comfort.
In an effort to promote the new technology in the local community, Kelvinator donated two air conditioning systems fitted with Peak Smart to the Cerebral Palsy League in Capalaba, east of Brisbane.
The units were donated to the centre as a part of the Peak Smart energy conservation and demand management program, in conjunction with the Queensland State Government, Redland City Council and Energex.
Kelvinator donates a new Peak Smart-enabled air conditioner to the Cerebral Palsy League (CPL). From left to right: QLD State Member for Capalaba, Michael Choi MP; Joe La Sala from Electrolux, Capalaba CPL centre manager, Susan Wedmaier; Energex delivery manager, Greg Flynn; and CPL centre client Steven Freemantle.