Here in Queensland, our long, humid summers can mean that using your air conditioner is more a necessity than a luxury. Whilst air conditioners are a notorious energy sucker, there are ways to limit the impact they can have on your electricity bill.
Ergon Energy estimates that for every degree that you lower your air conditioner temperature in summer, you’ll add up to 10% to the amount of energy it uses.
The average Australian sets their air conditioner to 19 or 20 degrees and that’s that. However, this using your air conditioner to such a drastic cooling temperature increases pressure on your air conditioner and asking so much of it will not only make work harder (aka cost more) it could have an impact on its life expectancy.
Making simple adjustments to your cooling habits can help your family stay cool and save you a surprising amount of money when your energy bill comes around.
There are a few ways that you can use your air con economically without having to sacrifice your survival this summer.
So what’s the most efficient air temperature?
The most efficient temperature ultimately depends on the time of year and the outside temperature. Here in QLD and Northern NSW we have a predominantly tropical environment, so setting your air con to an ambient 22 - 25 degrees is the way to go and can cut your daily energy consumption by up to 20%.
Air conditioners have to work harder in harsher climates, this means that the cooler you run your unit, the harder it has to work to achieve its goal. Essentially, the harder your air conditioners has to work to cool or heat a room, the more electricity it will consumer. Choosing an economical cooling plan with not only help to mediate your greenhouse emissions, it will also help you to enjoy a comfortable temperature.
How choosing an AC unit can help save you on power consumption.
There are a few things to look at when choosing an air conditioning unit that will have an impact on the energy your unit consumers.
Tip #1: Choose an energy efficient system.
Typically, air conditioners will have a label that outlines their energy rating with a blue and a red star system. The blue star shows its energy efficiency when cooling… and can you guess what the red star means? That’s right, its energy efficiency when heating.
Choosing a system like the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Avanti Series is a smart strategy for energy savings. The Avanti series has an industry leading 7 star ‘super-efficiency’ rating for both cooling and heating, the highest currently available in Austral. It also has a new energy saving motion sensor which monitors movement and activity levels to automatically adjust the operation automatically if no motion is detected, boosting your saving capabilities.
Tip #2: Invest in Sealing & Insulation.
If your home or business has poor insulation or sealing attempting to heat or cool the area is going to be harder and take longer to reach the temperatures you’ve set which can lead to higher electricity bills. To make sure that you’re getting the most out of your system, we recommend making sure that the insulation and sealing are up to scratch.
Tip #3: Choose the right size unit for the space.
When you’re choosing an air conditioning unit, it’s super important to choose a system with the correct capabilities for the job. Consider factors such as the size of the room, the direction of the windows, and the height of the ceiling. All these factors are key to ensuring economical use of your air conditioner.
The best way to make sure that you’re getting a system that’s right for you is to enlist the help of an air conditioning specialist such as Able Air & Electrical Solutions. Their experience and knowledge will help choosing an air conditioning system easy.
Tip #4: Maintain your system.
Like any mechanical item, air conditioners need maintenance. Ensuring that you’re up to date will ultimately help your unit run effectively and economically.
Want to know more about how Able Air & Electrical can help you select an air conditioning unit that’s right for you or get your current system working better? Contact us today on 1300 274 005, we’re always available to answer your questions.