5 ways to cut your air conditioning bill this summer
Keeping cool this summer is going to be on the top of our lists, especially with Australia being known for long, hot summer days. Even though we already spend more than 90% of our time indoors, we might be spending more time inside than usual to keep cool and comfortable in the expected hot conditions. While there is lots you can do to keep your home cool without impacting your power bill, like pulling the shades down, inevitably, on those very hot summer days, you are going to have to rely on your air conditioner if you want to stay comfortably cool.
Of course, the downside is that your air conditioning unit at home will be heavily relied upon in this peak season. But before you get too worried about the impact this might have on your energy bill, here are some very simple and effective tips to reduce the strain on your air conditioner over the summer period and keep a comfortable indoor environment;
1. Turn off your air conditioner at night while you sleep
During the evening the natural temperature falls. By switching your air conditioner off at night you will split your energy bill in half if you otherwise would be keeping it on. If you have solar panels, it makes even more sense to cool your home down during the day (even if you set the timer when you are out) rather than coming home to a boiling hot house that you have to cool down, putting excess strain on your air conditioner. Even worse, this may be during a time when the sun is going down, not allowing you to take advantage of solar power if your home is fitted with a solar array. At night, keep cool in other ways, open a window, ensure bedding is lightweight and consider using a ceiling fan in bedrooms which, when switched on, can make the room temperature feel cooler as it circulates the air.
2. Seal gaps and close doors
A well-sealed home ensures that when your air conditioner is on, the nice cool indoor air doesn’t simply escape outdoors and likewise the hot outdoor air can’t seep in. Having a well-sealed home means your air conditioner doesn’t need to work so hard to keep the air at your ideal temperature. Close any doors to rooms you aren’t using (like laundries and bathrooms) to keep cool air where you need it most. Sealing gaps around doors and windows and using draught excluders will help you to ensure the cool air can’t escape and the hot summer air can’t get in.
3. Throw some shade your way
On really hot days, depending on your home and how much natural sun and light comes streaming in, it could be useful to keep blinds, curtains, drapes and awnings drawn and closed. For sun-facing windows, light-coloured backings for blinds and curtains will help deflect the heat too. Keeping the excess heat out of your home will mean your air conditioner won’t have to work quite so hard to keep you cool, keeping your energy bills down.
Want some more ways to throw shade and reduce air conditioning bills? Consider Mother Nature’s original shade maker – trees. Plant trees, vines or shrubs that can add a defensive line of shade to the house, and help the environment too.
4. Thermostats and timers - set and save
For those times where a fan doesn’t quite cut it, it may be time to switch on that air conditioner. While it may be tempting to crank your air conditioner down to 18 degrees to quickly cool down the house, it may not be the most energy efficient way to maintain a comfortable temperature. The Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water1 recommends to set your air conditioner between 25 -27 degrees Celsius to help shave that energy bill. In fact, just 1 degree variation can equate to a 10% increase in your energy bill. As a rule of thumb, try not to set the thermostat less than 8 degrees below the outdoor temperature (so if it’s 30 degrees outside, aim for 22 or 23 degrees Celsius inside).
To really help reduce your energy bill, consider a thermostat with a built-in timer, so you’re not only setting the temperature, but setting the hours of operation for maximum energy efficiency. It makes sense to have a system that does it for you automatically, so you can ‘set and forget’. Daikin’s Alira X features scheduling settings so you can operate your unit automatically throughout the day to keep your home cool. It’s also got an energy efficient Econo mode that limits the power consumption of the unit to prevent it tripping your circuit breaker, a useful feature when you have multiple appliances running at the same time. But the energy efficiency of this industry-leading model doesn’t stop there, it also has invertor technology and the amazing Intelligent Eye feature which detects human movement. When it senses that you aren’t in the room, it automatically switches to an energy saving operation, saving you on energy usage in the long run.
5. Keeping your air conditioner clean
While it is best to prepare your air conditioner before the heat really hits, it’s never too late to start doing some preventative maintenance and help your unit maintain its optimum performance. Making sure your air conditioning unit is up to scratch with regular maintenance can also help extend its service life.
Energy Australia1 recommends filters on your unit should either be replaced or cleaned regularly to maintain optimum efficiency. A dirty filter makes any air conditioning unit work harder, meaning more electricity usage and higher energy bills.
If you simply want to replace your current air conditioner, you can’t go past Daikin’s industry-leading five-and-a-half-star energy rated, whisper quiet Alira X air conditioner, the perfect companion for optimal comfort in a bedroom or living room or if you are looking for whole home cooling, check out Daikin’s Premium Inverter Ducted systems for a whole home of comfort. Here’s to a long hot summer, and keeping cool when the bills come in.
1Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources. (n.d.). Summer guide. Retrieved from https://www.energy.gov.au/households/household-guides/seasonal-advice/summer-guide
2Energy Australia. (n.d.). Top tips to save energy while keeping cool this summer. Retrieved from https://www.energyaustralia.com.au/about-us/media/news/top-tips-save-energy-while-keeping-cool-summer
