Summer’s the best time of year for many Aussies…but not when it makes us unbearably hot and sweaty. When the mercury soars, there’s nothing better than coming into an air-conditioned interior and escaping the heat of the day. With so many warm days upon us, it’s not surprising that your air conditioner will be asked to work incredibly hard, meaning your bill could skyrocket right under your nose. To avoid these costly bills, there are things you can do to help you reduce your costs over the summer and keep your indoors cool and comfortable.
Turn Off Your Air-Con At Night
It might sound simple – but this tip can really save you money! Keep your air conditioner on during the day and turn it off at night. Why? Well, the evening is naturally cooler, so just turn off the air conditioning and open a window. Who knows, a gentle breeze might be just enough to cool the place down. And if you do catch a breeze, open windows and doors throughout your home to create a great flow.
What’s more, to sleep comfortably you don’t actually need your air conditioner to run at the same temperature it maintains during the day. Save money and have sweet dreams by turning your air con off at night.
Set And Save Your Thermostat Or Timer
Every degree really does matter when it comes to saving energy and reducing your summer bills. One of the best things you can do to save energy is to set your thermostat at a level that’s comfortable all year round. Usually, a temperature between 22 and 24 degrees is the way to go. Remember that with every single degree you can increase, you’re saving on bills. Even just setting your thermostat one degree warmer than usual can slash costs by up to 10%. Just remember to try not to set the thermostat less than 8 degrees below your outdoor temperature. You might take it to the next level by considering a thermostat with a built-in timer. This allows you to set the temperature and the hours of operation for maximum effect. Set, forget, save!
Use Shade
With extra shade, your air conditioner won’t need to work as hard and you’ll save on energy costs. Keep your blinds, awnings, curtains and drapes down or closed. If your window faces the sun, a light-coloured backing for your blinds or curtains can really help.
Covering your windows keeps hot air and sun’s rays where they belong, as your air conditioner won’t need to work so hard to keep the ideal temperature. Your windows also won’t absorb as much heat, keeping your interior perfectly comfortable around the clock. And for the ultimate shade, go green with tree planting. Trees, vines or shrubs can defend your walls, roof and windows with natural shade.
Turn Off The Heat
Many household essentials – the TV, computer, lamp and oven – generate heat and force your air conditioner to work harder to maintain the ideal temperature. Turning these off will see instant savings on your energy consumption. Turn off lights that aren’t being used, or maybe go as far as to unplug the TV or another appliance. Try cooking your dinner on the outdoor barbeque, or tuck into a lovely summer salad that doesn’t need cooking at all.
Maintain Your Air-Con
Keeping your air con in great nick really helps keep costs down. This might mean scheduling maintenance or cleaning or replacing your filter for maximum efficiency. After all, a dirty filter will make your air-con work harder, leading to higher costs for you.
Need Air Conditioning Installation Or Maintenance? Breeze Air Conditioning Got You Covered
For all things air conditioning in Newcastle, look to Breeze Air Conditioning. We supply, install, service and repair commercial and residential air conditioning units, and pride ourselves on the quality of our work and our outstanding customer service. Call us today on (02) 4948 5309 to learn more or to request a free quote.
