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The unbearable heat is forcing you to keep the air conditioner on all day long, but you are also worried about the cooling bill that might give you many sleepless nights. There’s no need to turn off the AC and embrace excessive sweating when you can lower your AC bills by following some simple tips.
Air conditioning has become more than a luxury for Melbournians; it is a necessity. After all, it gives the much-needed comfort when the mercury rises and staying outdoors for too long becomes excessively difficult. Air conditioning provides the necessary relief from the unendurable summer days, which can be observed from the fact that cooling and heating accounts for 40% of Australians’ household energy consumption, and Aussies spend 90% of their time indoors.
So, if you want to keep on using air conditioning without worrying about the soaring energy bill, there are some simple and effective tips that you can apply to slash your cooling bill.
6 Ways To Lower Your AC Bill This Summer
Before you apply these tips, it is important that you monitor the running cost of your air conditioner at the start. This way, you’ll know if it is just the air conditioner consuming the most energy or any other electrical appliance in your home. In addition, you might want to read how much it costs to run an air conditioner in Melbourne.
TIP #1: Set The Right Temperature
Do you know that you can save 10% running by setting the air conditioner every 1oC higher? Setting the thermostat temperature at 16oC and 18oC can automatically increase the air conditioning bill because the air conditioner will have to work longer and harder to achieve lower temperature and maintain it.
The lower you keep your air con, the longer your system will have to operate, shooting up your energy bill. The ideal air con temperature in Melbourne is about 23-25oC.
TIP #2: Use A Ceiling Fan
We find it surprising that so many homeowners don’t fully utilise the benefits of ceiling fans when it comes to reducing energy bills. The truth is that most people don’t know that using a ceiling fan with an air conditioner can make the room feel cooler than usual because of the wind-chill effect.
Experts recommend using a ceiling fan to save energy because it helps disperse cooled air throughout the room and enables you to raise the thermostat. Without a fan, you might not be tempted to raise the thermostat. Here’s another tip when using the combo of fan + AC. Try to turn on the ceiling fan a few minutes before switching on the AC because the fan will drive away hot air already present in your room.
TIP #3: Save While You Sleep
This tip has immense potential to save you money. Most people never turn off their air conditioning units at night. It makes sense to turn on the AC to have an ideal temperature that can help you get better sleep, but having the air con run all night long is simply wasting money. After all, the overall temperature reduces at nighttime, and running your air conditioner during the daytime already makes the room cool enough to get better sleep.
You can open the windows to get a gentle breeze that can further cool down your room. If turning off an air conditioner before going to sleep doesn’t sound like something you can do, at least go for a programmable thermostat that can turn off the AC after a few hours.
TIP #4: Avoid Heat Build-Up
When the outdoor temperature exceeds, it is important to limit indoor activities that generate a lot of heat and can contribute to increasing the temperature inside your home. For instance, you can limit cooking, using a dishwasher, computer, TV, and other electrical appliances during the daytime.
If you take a bath during the daytime, try using the exhaust fan to remove heat and excessive moisture. The goal is to ensure your air conditioner doesn’t have to work overtime to reduce the indoor temperature. Limiting the use of heat-emitting gadgets and lights can not only put less stress on the AC but also lower your energy bill.
TIP #5: Cut Down Energy Costs With Shade and Passive Cooling Techniques
When sunlight streams in through windows, it increases the temperature of your home. It would be best to keep curtains and blinds closed during the daytime to avoid the greenhouse effect inside the room. You can reduce heat absorption by using tinted windows. Moreover, using trees or installing the outdoor unit under shade can also help ensure your air conditioner doesn’t have to work hard.
TIP #6: Regular Maintenance
This sure-fire energy-saving tip not only lowers your air conditioning bill but also prevents costly repairs. For instance, a clogged air filter and dirty unit can consume 5% to 15% more energy than usual. It is because a clogged air filter reduces the airflow and forces the unit to work harder and longer to provide sufficient cooling to your home. You can cut energy costs by maintaining the unit regularly and changing air filters.
Scheduling AC service improves the unit’s efficiency, indoor air, and longevity. Neglecting regular maintenance for a longer period of time prevents your system from running at total capacity and increases running costs. Therefore, it is imperative that you never ignore the regular servicing of the unit.
Read More: Tips For Hiring An Air Conditioning Technician and Factors To Consider When Choosing An HVAC Contractor.
The Bottom Line
The tips mentioned above have proven to be effective in lowering air conditioning bills during the summer months. It is also worth noticing that you need to consider installing a new air conditioner if the old one is over 10 years old. It is because newer models are much more advanced and energy-efficient.
You can always trust ComfyHome when it comes to aircon installation Melbourne, repair, service, or replacement. Please Contact Us if you want to talk to an air conditioning specialist.