Air conditioners are often considered a necessity in Australia, especially through the hot summer months where temperatures can easily reach the high 30s on most days.
However, there’s no denying that air conditioners are also a very expensive appliance to run in the home. They can use a lot of power and end up causing your electricity bill to skyrocket.
But an expensive energy bill in summer doesn’t have to be an inevitable outcome of using your air conditioner. If you’re wondering if it’s possible to stay cool and still keep your electricity costs down for your home in Bendigo, we can help.
Take a look at our top tips to reduce air conditioning running costs below.
1. Minimise the space you’re cooling
If your air conditioner is trying to cool your entire house, chances are that it’s going to be costing you a fortune to run regularly.
Keep your air conditioning running costs low by closing any doors to rooms you aren’t using and making sure that all of your windows are closed.
The fewer areas that your air conditioner needs to cool, the less it’s going to cost to run.
2. Make use of a timer
Utilising a timer on your air conditioner is another fantastic way to keep your home cool in a more efficient way.
Timers such as the sleep timer can be set so that your air conditioner turns off at night after you have gone to bed, or you can set it to turn on just before you get home from work so that you walk into a comfortably cool home.
3. Set a reasonable and consistent temperature
A guaranteed way to see your air conditioner running costs sky high is to set your air conditioner at extreme temperatures.
Rather than setting your unit to just above freezing, it’s recommended that you set it to around 24 or 25 degrees. This is cool enough to be comfortable without making the machine work harder than necessary.
It has been estimated that for every 1-degree cooler you have your air conditioner set on, your electricity bill will increase by 10%, so it certainly pays to have your AC unit at a moderate temperature at all times.
4. Block any cracks or spaces that air can escape through
Even with your doors and windows closed, the warm air still has a habit of getting into your home and ruining your efforts to keep it cool.
The more warm air that is entering, the harder your AC has to work. Air that is escaping is air that is costing you money. Take some time to ensure that any gaps are filled in and ensure that you have covered the bottom of your doors with a door snake to trap cool air in your space.
5. Have your unit serviced regularly
A clean and well-functioning air conditioner is an air conditioner that is going to work at peak condition.
Getting your unit serviced regularly will ensure that the filters are clean and that the parts are all in good working order.
Regular air conditioning services will help your unit run efficiently, which is another way of keeping your running costs down.
6. Utilise curtains and blinds to keep out the heat
There’s no denying that the Aussie sun has the ability to heat a room in only a few minutes, especially in the middle of a scorching hot summer.
While this is fantastic in winter, it’s not optimal in summer when we’re all trying to stay cool. Sunlight that is hitting your windows directly is transferring intense heat into your home.
Invest in some blackout curtains or blinds or simply shut your existing curtains and blinds to help prevent the sun from heating up your room.
7. Turn off heat emitting appliances
Did you know that many of your appliances are emitting a huge amount of heat as they’re being used and when sitting on standby?
The heat from these appliances such as your oven, TV, computer, lamps, and even halogen lightbulbs can end up being significant, especially in summer.
These can make your air conditioner have to work even harder to cool the space, which inevitably leads to higher costs over time.
Make a new habit of turning off your appliances when you aren’t using them. Not only will this reduce the heat and the amount of work that your air conditioner needs to do, but you will also find that you’ll save on electricity when you unplug your appliances as well.
Need More Help From Our Experts?
If you’re in need of experienced electrical technicians to help you clean and service your air conditioner in Bendigo, you’ve come to the right place.
Our team of local experts are reliable and professional and can have your air conditioning unit running like new again. Give us a call today to find out more about how we can assist you.