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While most Australians (almost 8 in 10 according to our latest Consumer Pulse survey) remain concerned about electricity costs and high temperatures continue in many parts of the country, there has never been a better time to make sure. Cool your home as efficiently as possible.
We asked CHOICE refrigeration expert Chris Barnes to reveal his top five air conditioning problems. If you are one of those who regularly use air conditioning, these tips will help you enjoy the cool air without worrying too much about the electricity bill.
1. Don't overdo it
When you go outside and feel like opening the oven after cooking a roast, it can be tempting to set the air conditioning to the lowest possible temperature and enjoy the contrast of the cold. But if it's so cold that you now need to add a cardigan to your outfit, you're probably doing it wrong.
"The bigger the difference between outside and inside temperatures, the more expensive it becomes," says Chris.
Every degree of cooling above 8°C increases your operating costs by 10%
Chris Barnes, CHOICE refrigeration expert
"To achieve a reasonable balance between cost and comfort, try to keep the temperature difference at around 8°C. So if it's 32°C during the day, set the air conditioning to around 24°C," he explains.
This doesn't mean you have to sweat in 37°C when the outside temperature reaches 40°C, but you should consider the impact of this additional cooling on your energy bill and therefore on the environment in your home.
"Every degree that cools by more than 8°C increases operating costs by 10%, which can accumulate throughout the summer," he warns.
And it's also important to understand that setting the temperature to 18°C doesn't actually cool the room down any faster. The sensible target of 24°C will be reached just as quickly (although it will then continue to work hard to reach 18°C and therefore use more electricity).
"If you need a quick cool down, try using the Power or Jet setting if the device has this feature. At maximum setting it blows cold air. It's loud and possibly less effective, but it's faster," advises Chris.
A clogged air conditioning filter can increase energy consumption by 5 to 15%
2. Don't neglect housework.
Cleaning is one of those things that makes life easier in the long run if done on time. Most of us only make the mistake of leaving our clothes and cleaning our socks once. However, the effects of neglecting other types of cleaning may be less obvious. Air conditioners fall into this second category.
"Many people probably don't even know that they need to clean their air conditioner, and it's not just about cleaning the outside," says Chris.
Opening the device to clean the filters and outlet will help your system run more efficiently.
A clogged filter can increase energy consumption by 5 to 15%
Chris Barnes, CHOICE refrigeration expert
"Regular cleaning and occasional maintenance go a long way in keeping your air conditioner running smoothly and keeping you cool all summer long," he says.
Staying on top of cleaning can also help you reduce your operating costs.
"It is estimated that a clogged filter can increase energy consumption by 5 to 15%. So staying on top of cleaning will also save you money," says Chris.
3. He doesn't forget the fans.
On a hot day, it may be tempting to immediately turn on the air conditioning, but you may be overlooking an easier option: the humble fan.
Fans are not only cheaper to purchase, but also cost-effective to operate. Running a fan on low speed for eight hours a day and high speed for two hours a day all summer long costs less than $10 total for many fans. And most fans could run all day in the summer and would only cost you about $40 in electricity. On the other hand, running an air conditioner costs between $160 and $1,160 per year, depending on the size of the unit.
It's true that a tower or pedestal fan doesn't work as well as an air conditioner, but it can help you feel cooler by promoting the evaporation effect, in which the movement of air removes sweat from your body, causing aggravation of the body. Temperature. Ceiling fans can also be helpful.
A fan won't cool the room, but it will make you feel more comfortable.
"Although fans don't lower the room temperature on their own, they can help the body cool down," says Chris. In other words, a fan doesn't cool the room, but it does make you feel more comfortable.
Fans can also be used to improve the efficiency of your air conditioning system.
"A ceiling fan can help direct cold air from an air conditioner (installed high up) into the living room (at floor level), which can cool the room," he says. "You may even be able to set the air conditioning to a milder temperature and save energy."
4. He doesn't try to cool down the entire neighborhood.
When my kids were little, it seemed like I spent every hot summer day reminding them to close the doors to keep the cool air in. And let's not talk about how I found my daughter's bedroom window wide open even though it was against the wall. The air conditioning fought bravely against the 40°C outside temperature.
As a child, you probably rolled your eyes when your parents asked you to close the windows and doors, but it turns out they were right.
You can even use towels to seal the gaps under the door.
"To keep cold air in and hot air out, you need to make sure the house is properly sealed," says Chris.
"Use insulation strips around windows and under doors. Keep unused cat flaps closed and seal unused parts of the house," he says.
You can even use towels to seal the gaps under the door. When will our UK sister organization Which do this? , conducted an experiment comparing door seals and found that a plain towel outperformed store-bought options. Of course, it's not the easiest solution and you'll have to reapply it every time you open the door, but as a cheap and temporary solution it's definitely effective.
Using ceiling fans can help move the cold air produced by an air conditioner around the room.
5. The air conditioner doesn't fight the furnace
Or the dishwasher or any other appliance that produces a lot of heat.
Sometimes you can't help but use them on a hot day, but there are ways to reduce the impact they have on the air conditioner's cooling efforts.
When you buy something new, you can not only look for more energy efficient appliances, but also change the way you use them.
"Leaving the dishwasher running overnight by turning it on when you go to bed or using the timer function to delay the cycle means you are not adding extra heat to the kitchen while you try to to cool things down," explains Chris.
"You can also try using a slow cooker or air fryer instead of a traditional oven, as these appliances won't heat up your kitchen as much as an oven," she says. "Microwaves can be effective for things like steaming vegetables or cooking rice so you don't have to use the stove."
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