Air conditioners can be a wonderful appliance in the summer months, saving you from those moments of extreme heat. However, the cost of running one can easily stack up if you don’t have an energy-efficient air conditioner. To boost your air conditioner’s energy efficiency and save on costs, we’re here to share some quick tips to help you out.

Actions you can take immediately to boost efficiency include:

• Fix gap seals where outdoor air could be getting in
• Consider double glazing
• Close blinds and windows
• Reduce using the oven on hot days
• Optimise thermostat temperature
• Avoid peak electricity times
• Upgrade to an energy-efficient model

Ways to Save Energy in Your Home

Almost everything we use in our homes uses energy and electricity. Of course, we can’t expect you to stop using these altogether. These tips will help you preserve energy in your home, focusing on stopping that hot outdoor air from getting inside.

The main way that outdoor air finds its way inside is through any gaps in places around doors and windows. A quick fix to this issue is to install weather stripping around those gaps in your windows. For doors that are letting in air, you can pick up draft stoppers from home stores like Bunnings or Spotlight. Better yet, they don’t have to be boring – you can get some fun ones to add a bit of decor.

Most heat tends to come through your north and west-facing windows. To keep that heat at bay, you could invest in some exterior shading. If you’ve got a green thumb, planting deciduous trees that shade these windows is also a huge help.

If you are a homeowner; roof, wall, and floor insulation can do wonders. In addition, switching to double-glazed windows would be a big help if this were an option. If you are renting, you can get temporary ones to place over your windows.

Rooftop solar panels are a great way to save energy while doing your bit for the planet. In addition to helping you save on energy costs, rooftop solar panels also provide shade to the roof and prevent as much heat from getting inside.

Some hours of the day, usually between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m., energy costs are higher because of peak demand. To save on costs, try to avoid using as much electricity during these peak times.

Habits For Hot Days to Promote Energy Efficiency

These strategies will help you keep costs down during those hot days. They are all super simple and something that we can all implement. 

The biggest tip is to close blinds and windows before it gets hot. Early in the morning, before the heat really starts hitting, make sure your windows are closed and your blinds/curtains are closed. This will prevent the heat from getting in, and you avoid letting your house get too hot. 

Using appliances such as an oven, cooktop, or dryer will naturally make your home feel hotter. During those hot days, you’ll want to reduce how much you are using these appliances. Better yet, avoiding the use of these appliances will also save you money on energy costs.

If you live in a double-story home, it’s better to hang out downstairs on hot days. Heat rises, so the top floors of your home are bound to be warmer. During those peak times when the heat is really thriving, stay on the bottom floor, and you’ll feel much cooler. In addition, you can set your AC as high as you can while still being comfortable.

Set Optimal Temperatures

For every degree lower, you are increasing your energy use by roughly 6-8%. To save on costs, it’s recommended that you set the thermostat as high as you can, as long as you are still comfortable. For example, even if it’s 23C inside your home, that will still be much cooler than the temperature outside.

In addition, using your AC thermostat will help to maintain your home at a cool temperature. This is much more efficient than blasting cool air intermittently throughout the day as and when you need it.

Use Fans With Air Conditioning

Ceiling fans, in addition to your AC, let you raise your thermostat a little higher without sacrificing your comfort. A huge upside to this is that ceiling fans use minimal power compared to your AC system. Ceiling fans will also help circulate air throughout the whole room, making sure that everyone is comfortable.

Limit AC Usage During Peak Electricity Times

As we briefly touched on earlier, most electricity providers have peak and off-peak times. Peak times tend to be between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m., but they are particularly high in the afternoon and early evening. This means that you are likely to be charged a higher day rate depending on which electricity provider you are with.

By reducing the use of AC during this time, you can make some significant savings on your energy costs. In fact, electricity prices can sometimes be double or more during peak times. If you want to find out the off-peak times, check your electricity bill or speak with your provider.

Limit Heat-Generating Appliances

There are all sorts of appliances in your home that will emit heat. The most common culprits are ovens, dryers, and any other heat-generating appliances you might have. You might not even realise just how much heat they are producing in your home, counteracting all your cooling-down techniques. It’s best that you try to avoid using appliances like this during the hottest hours of the day. 

By avoiding the use of these appliances or minimizing how often you use them, you’ll notice that your house feels less hot as you maintain a cooler environment. As an alternative, you can use smaller and more energy-efficient cooking appliances, such as a slow cooker or a microwave.

Use Zoning Systems

One thing that we underestimate the most is zoning. Using zoning systems in your home can significantly improve both comfort and energy efficiency on hot days. Zoning systems allow you to control the temperature in different areas of your home independently.

Instead of cooling the entire house, zoning systems let you focus on just those areas that you are using. This allows you to be comfortable in the space you are using, all while reducing energy consumption, and you avoid wasting energy in unused rooms. Some rooms may also get hotter than others, especially if they are north or west-facing. With zoning, you can adjust the temperatures for those hotter areas.

Service Regularly

One of the most important tips is to ensure that you are servicing your air conditioning systems regularly. By getting routine servicing, cleaning the filters, and inspecting key components, you’re making sure that these systems run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Having dirty filters will reduce the airflow and limit the efficiency of your systems.

It’s also important to check for leaky ducts. If a duct leaks, cool air can escape from these systems, which will then work harder than necessary and use up more energy. Kool Air can assist you by with checking for leaky ducts in our routine service.

Consider Upgrading to an Energy Efficient Model

Energy efficiency is becoming more important than ever. Not only does it save you money, but it also contributes to a better environment. Choosing an energy-efficient model for any appliance in your home, particularly your air conditioning, has many benefits.

Let’s take a look at the benefits of an energy-efficient air conditioning model:

• Lower energy costs – Energy-efficient AC units consume less electricity but cool the same amount of space as a standard AC unit. Although the upfront cost may be higher, you will be saving money in the long run. The system is likely to have a longer lifespan due to its reduced energy consumption.
• Environmental benefits – Having an AC system with lower energy consumption means that fewer fossil fuels are burned to create electricity. This reduces your carbon footprint and has less impact on global warming.
• Improved performance – Energy-efficient models have more advanced technology, which provides more precise and consistent cooling. They will moderate temperature more efficiently and have a quicker cooling time on hot days.
• Smart features – Many energy-efficient AC units will come with smart features, allowing you to control them remotely. This includes setting schedules and tracking your energy consumption.

In addition, you should consider the energy efficiency star rating. This rating system, implemented in most countries, helps people identify the energy efficiency of appliances and electronics.

The Victoria State Government has set up a rebate to help homes be more energy efficient, known as the Victoria Energy Upgrades program. The program helps locals upgrade their homes and businesses with energy-efficient products by offering discounts and rebates. Investing upfront in these products has long-term cost savings as they are now cheaper to run as opposed to gas. Learn more about how Kool Air can support you to access your government rebate here.

When buying appliances, including an energy-efficient air conditioning system, you can look out for what is most cost-effective. The more stars, the better. It’s estimated that this VEU rebate will save 28 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions for Victoria between 2022 and 2025.

Conclusion

Boosting your air conditioner’s energy efficiency can lower your bills significantly but still improve your comfort on those hot days. There are some simple steps you can put into place, as well as investing in energy-efficient models and servicing your system regularly. By trying these tips, you’ll notice your home is a lot cooler, all while doing your bit for the planet and saving money.