Don't Blow Out your Air Conditioning Costs this Summer
Hot Summer days are approaching fast and we’ve scoured the world of Google to find the absolute best tips and advice for the optimal running of your air conditioning unit, you could save up to $200 on keeping chilled this summer.
“Australians spend a collective $4.6 billion on cooling costs each year. During the warmer months, the average Aussie will leave the aircon running for 4.3 hours per day, adding a whopping $623 to their summer quarterly bill.” Graham Cooke
KEEP AN EYE ON THE TEMPERATURE
· By maintaining a temperature that’s a few degrees higher than the one you’re used to for 8 hours could save you up to 10% on your cooling bills every year.
· During the night you don’t require the same level of cold. Try turning your air conditioner down (so that it runs less) during sleep time, or, utilize the “sleep mode” which lowers the output on a timer.
· Every degree of cooling can increase your energy consumption by as much as 10 per cent. By adding a couple of extra degrees to your preferred setting, you can save a significant amount on your next bill.
· A temperature setting of around 24 degrees in the summer will ensure your home maintains a comfortable temperature without ramping up your energy usage. Transporting ourselves back to winter at the touch of a button might be tempting, but as a general rule, the temperature shouldn’t be more than 8 degrees below outdoor temperature. When it is, for each degree you’re under the outside temperature, your air conditioner is using more power and consequently costing you valuable money.
SUN OUT AND THE COOL IN
· Glass transmits heat in summer. The heat that sunlight brings can make your AC unit work harder to cool your home, and an AC unit working hard means it’s consuming more power than it should.
· Keep the blinds, curtains, and drapes closed to keep the sun out.
· Turning lights off can help reduce your heat, but paying attention to how much light you let in from open windows can also play a significant role. Although it might seem neurotic to open and close your windows every day with the changing of the sun, it makes a huge difference in how much heat your air conditioner is competing with.
INSULATE
· Poor Insulation leads to massive energy consumption related to your air conditioning unit.
· Most older houses have insufficient insulation. Cracks are more common, and seals are more worn and weathered.
· Make sure the insulation in your home is up to scratch.
· Make sure the areas where your ducts run through parts of your home without air conditioning (like the attic) are properly insulated will keep the air coming in as cool as it can be.
· Have Instant Power Electrical perform a home energy assessment. We will check your house for leaks and makes recommendations to make your home more energy efficient.
CLEAN YOUR AIR FILTERS
· Air filters on our air conditioners collect dust and debris eventually restricting air flow. When air flow is interrupted, your AC unit will strain to keep your home cool, and that will make it use more energy.
· Don’t wait for your air filters to become clogged. Cleaning and changing them every 30 to 90 days should keep the air flowing smoothly through your unit.
· Dust and grime clogging your air filter will cause it to work twice as hard to produce out cool air. In some cases, it can even ice up and cease working altogether.
· Giving the filter a clean every couple of months will ensure optimal performance.
· A dirty air conditioner filter can use an additional 5-15 per cent of energy? Like many of the appliances around your home, it’s important to keep your air conditioner clean and regularly maintained. A wipe down and change of filter is all it takes to have your air conditioner running more effectively and saving money.
KEEP THE AREA AROUND YOUR AIR CON UNCLUTTERED
· Your thermostat is sensitive to heat. If it senses that the temperature around it remains higher than expected, it will keep the AC running until the whole area is cool enough. So, it makes sense to keep electronics and appliances that generate heat, like TVs, computers, and lamps, away from your thermostat.
· Furniture obstructing air conditioning vents means you could be cooling the back of a chair or the bottom side of your sofa. Rather have that chill for yourself.
TURN ON THE FAN
· Ceiling fans help circulate cool air all throughout the house, and that means your AC doesn’t have to work as hard to pump cool air into the room.
· Ceiling fans use less electricity and they help your air con unit do its job more efficiently. Fans should be your go-to cooling option on hot days. Not only are they cheap to run, but they also produce the lowest greenhouse gas emissions out of all cooling products and reduce the temperature of a room by as much as three degrees.
· Alternatively, If you aren’t into cooling your whole home, try using a portable unit to cool just the area you’ll be working in. They use up to 50% less energy than a larger central air unit would to cool off the same space.
PROFESSIONAL MAINTENANCE
· Your AC unit will always need regular maintenance, and it would be wise to have qualified professionals perform the task once a year.
· The AC maintenance technician will ensure that all its essential parts are clean, all drains are clear, and its refrigerant levels are just right, among other things.
· All these checks make your AC work more efficiently, leading to lower energy use and reduced energy bills. Some basic maintenance might be all your air conditioner needs, but most will greatly benefit from a good hosing out.
CLOSE OFF LOWER LEVEL VENTS
· The lower building levels are traditionally the coolest room in the home.
· Close all the vents in the lower portion of your home and cool air will slink down there naturally and by closing those exits, you’re forcing all the air up top first, cooling as it comes down.
TRY 25 DEGREES
· 25 degrees is a good point for an air conditioner to run at its optimal performance level.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT UNITS AND ENERGY RATING FOR YOUR HOME
· Depending on the design of your home, some cooling options may be more effective than others. The better insulated, shaded and draught-proofed a house is, the smaller and cheaper-to-run your cooling unit should be.
· Air conditioners vary significantly when it comes to energy consumption, so make sure to do your research before purchasing.
· Aircon units are included in the Energy Rating System, which rates products from one to six depending on their energy efficiency. Make sure to purchase the right size cooling unit for your home as well. Homeowners often buy units that are too large for their home, costing them unnecessary money in the process.
PRECOOL THE HOME WHEN POSSIBLE
· Pre-cool your house the night before a very hot day by leaving your windows open.
· If your house has insulation, the cooler air will be retained the following day, minimising excess strain on your aircon.
· Make sure to close the windows once it heats up – you don’t want your cold air to go to waste.
· Using blinds, drapes or window shades can also be a surprisingly effective way of keeping your home cool during the summer.
· These tips can reduce the overall temperature of your home by as much as three or four degrees.
· Shade cloths are also a good idea for outdoor areas as they reflect the sun’s glare.
SWITCH IT OFF IF YOU’RE OUT
· Don’t be one of the 2.3 million Aussies who leave the aircon running for up to an hour when they aren’t home.
· This waste is terrible for the environment and it also costs us a collective $222 million nationwide.
· By properly insulating your home, you can ensure it retains cool air after switching off your unit.
USE THE TIMER FUNCTION
· Most nights cool right down meaning you won’t always need to have your air conditioner running throughout the night.
· The ‘timer’ function lets you run your air conditioner only when you need it most, this will help keep costs down on your electricity bill.
Don’t blow out your air conditioning costs this summer: Give us a call for a professional on site inspection and analysis.
Reference Articles:
https://www.bpihomeowner.org/blog/top-ac-energy-saving-tips
https://www.daikin.com.au/articles/tips/top-5-tips-reduce-your-air-conditioning-bill-summer
https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/10-ways-to-save-energy-when-ai-120022
https://blog.repositpower.com/air-conditioner-energy-saving-tips
