Air conditioning is great for keeping your home cool during hot summer months, but all that cooling comes at a cost. The Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources estimate that heating and cooling can account for as much as 50% of home energy use.
By reducing your air-con units power consumption you could save up to 30% from your annual energy bill. So in this blog, we are going to explore 10 ways you can reduce your air con’s power consumption without breaking into a sweat.
1. Avoid using appliances during the day
Some appliances in your home, such as the oven, microwave, dishwasher, toaster and hairdryer all generate excessive heat. Try to limit the use of these items during the day and turn them on in the evening when it’s a little cooler.
2. Turn the thermostat up
Most homes in Australia set their thermostat to around 19-20ºC in the summer. Turning this up by a single degree to 21-22ºC can reduce your energy consumption by as much as 5%.
3. Install a circulatory fan
A ceiling fan helps to circulate cool air around the room, greatly improving the performance of your air-con unit. And on cooler days you may be able to get away with just using the fan, which is much more efficient than using both.
4. Keep sun-facing windows closed
It’s always tempting to open windows on warm days to let fresh air in. But this can increase the temperature of your home. So keep sun-facing windows closed throughout the day and open non-sun facing windows instead.
5. Turn the air con off at night
You can save energy by turning the aircon off at night when it’s a little cooler. During really warm nights, you don’t need to turn it off altogether, just turn the temperature up a few degrees so the compressor doesn’t have to work so hard.
6. Plant trees or shrubs to create shade
Planting trees or shrubs in front of windows is a great way of shading rooms from the intensity of the sun’s rays. But be aware that you will also be blocking out light. You can compensate for this by planting perennial plants that die back in winter.
7. Paint the exterior of your home a bright colour
Painting light colours on exterior walls helps to reflect heat, thereby preventing it from entering your home. This reduces the workload of the compressor, greatly reducing energy costs. White is the most reflective colour but any lighter shade will do the job.
8. Install a smart thermostat
Smart thermostats can help to maintain your home’s temperature at the most efficient level. This can help to reduce energy costs without affecting comfort levels.
9. Improve your insulation
Insulation is not just there to keep your home warm in winter. It also helps to keep cool air in and warm out during the summer. So consider upgrading your insulation to the latest standard and watch both your heating and cooling bills fall.
10. Get your system serviced regularly
Air conditioning systems contain many moving parts that require regular maintenance for the system to keep working efficiently. Look to get your system serviced annually by a certified air con engineer.
Conclusion
Air conditioning is necessary to keep your home cool during the hot Australian summer. But if you are not careful, this can result in runaway energy costs that stretch your finances. Implementing some or all the above tips will reduce your cooling costs to a more manageable level.
For more information about reducing your air conditioning costs or to arrange an annual service for your air conditioning system. Get in touch with Chill-Rite today by calling 02 6885 2254 or complete our contact form.
