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Although you have no control over the harshness of the climate, you have all the control when it comes to setting the air con temperature. Before you turn on your air conditioner, you may want to reconsider changing your air con temperature setting because it goes a long way in determining your energy bill at the end of the billing cycle.
When summer arrives, most people in Melbourne turn on their air conditioning units to a chilly 18-20 degrees without realising that it makes their energy bills skyrocket. While there are ways to reduce your air conditioning bill in the summer, setting the right temperature plays a crucial role in staying cool and saving money.
What Is The Ideal Air Conditioner Temperature?
The most efficient air con temperature to reduce electricity costs depends on several factors such as the area you live in and the local climate. In Melbourne’s case, we recommend 23oC to 25oC as the optimal air conditioner temperature. We have also asked our customers about what is the ideal temperature for them to sleep at night, most of them like it at 22oC.
If you’re worried about the running cost of your air conditioner, we recommend you use this Air Conditioning Running Cost Calculator. However, it is essential to understand that the calculator provides an estimated AC running cost.
Read More: How Much Does It Cost To Run An Air Conditioner?
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How Does Temperature Setting Affect Air Con Costs?
Setting your air conditioner to 23oC-25oC could cut your AC’s daily consumption by up to 20 per cent. It reduces your electricity bill and the burden on the system to maintain lower temperature continuously. Setting air con temperatures as low as 18oC could stress the system and cause excessive wear and tear. Moreover, keeping a moderate temperature can save money on energy bills and prevent frequent repairs and shorter unit life.
Another reason to maintain a moderate air con temperature is that every one degree cooler temperature adds 10% to the system’s running cost and vice versa. Therefore, setting a temperature at 26oC or 27oC could save you more money than the ideal temperature of 23oC-25oC.
While energy-saving is important, so is comfort. Therefore, it is essential not to set a temperature that has minimal effect in making your place comfortable. For instance, there is no point in setting your air con temperature at 28oC if it is unbearably hot & humid inside your home. However, you can use the combo of fan + air conditioning for better comfort.
Tips On How To Use Air Conditioner Economically
Knowing what is the best temperature for AC is good, but it is not enough to reduce the system’s running cost. For instance, you can set your temperature at 27oC, and it might still consume too much energy because of the lack of proper insulation in your home. Therefore, it is important to implement these energy-efficient tips for using an air conditioner:
TIP #1: Set A Temperature And Stick To It
A common misconception among homeowners and even businesses is that setting a lower temperature will cool down their space faster. In reality, it’s not the case because it will take the same amount of time for the room to reach a temperature of 24oC whether you set the temperature at 20oC or 26oC. Setting a low temperature in hopes of changing the temperature in a few hours is going to make the compressor work longer, meaning more power consumption. Therefore, the best approach is to set a temperature of 23oC-25oC and stick to it.
TIP #2: Invest In Good Insulation and Sealing
If your home has poor insulation or sealing, it will lead to higher energy bills because your air con will have to work way harder and longer to provide the required temperature and maintain it. Think of it as opening one window in your room and turning on the air conditioner. No matter how long the air conditioner runs, it will never be able to maintain a temperature in the room because the hot outdoor air will continuously replace cool indoor air.
TIP #3: Regular Maintenance Is The Key To Energy-Efficiency
This is an immensely important tip and yet homeowners and businesses never seem to understand its significance. Unfortunately, many people deliberately ignore paying a small amount for regular maintenance. Consequently, they end up paying a lot more in the form of expensive repairs and even complete unit replacement.
As we all know the famous saying that “prevention is better than cure,” routine maintenance works in a similar fashion. It helps identify underlying problems that could cause malfunctioning or a breakdown in the near future. Most importantly, regular maintenance ensures the system is working in the top conditioner.
TIP #4: Get A Programmable Thermostat
Why let your air conditioner run all night long or during the day when a programmable thermostat can automatically adjust to a more economical temperature. Programmable thermostats can reduce energy bills by 10 to 30 per cent by automatically lowering and raising temperatures depending on the time of the day.
Speak To Melbourne’s Most Trusted Air Conditioning Experts
At ComfyHome, we’re here to provide answers to all your questions related to the ideal air con temperature, AC sizing, insulation, and so much more. With years of invaluable experience in the AC industry, we can provide installation, repair, service, and replacement of the best air conditioning brands in Australia.
If you want to start saving money on your Melbourne air con, Contact Us today to schedule routine maintenance of your air con unit. Please feel free to give us a call if your air conditioner is not cooling as effectively as before or your energy bills have been high despite servicing as there could be an underlying problem that might be causing the problem.