With electricity costs worrying nearly 8 in 10 Australians, according to our most recent Consumer Pulse survey, there's never been a better time to ensure you're cooling your home efficiently.
To help you keep your home cool this summer, without the big energy bill, CHOICE experts have put together their top five cooling no-gos.
"If you're the type of person who uses air conditioning regularly, these five tips will allow you to enjoy the cool without worrying about a hefty power bill," says CHOICE household expert, Chris Barnes.
Here are 5 things our expert would never do:
1. Don't overdo it
"When the outside temperature feels like opening a hot oven, it can be tempting to turn your air con to arctic, but this can blow your energy bill. The bigger the difference between the outdoor and indoor temperature, the more it will cost you," says Barnes.
"To get better efficiency from your air conditioner, try to keep the temperature difference to around 8°C. So, on a 32°C day, set your air con to around 24°C. We recommend doing this as every degree cooled by more than 8°C will add 10% to your running costs, which can add up across the summer," says Barnes.
2. Don't neglect the cleaning
"Many people probably aren't aware that you need to clean your air conditioner, and this involves more than just wiping down the outside. Opening up the unit to clean the filters and outlet will help your system run more efficiently. It's estimated that a clogged filter can increase energy consumption by 5-15%, so regular cleaning and an occasional service will go a long way to make sure your air con runs well," says Barnes.
3. Don't forget the fans
"Ceiling and pedestal fans are not only cheaper to buy, they're also effective to run. We found keeping your fan on all day throughout summer would only cost you $40 in electricity. An air conditioner will cost between $160 and $1160 a year to run, depending on the unit size. Plus, if you use your fan alongside your air con, it will circulate the air more effectively, allowing your air con to work less hard and saving you more," says Barnes.
4. Don't try to cool the whole neighbourhood
"To keep the cool air in and the hot air out you need to make sure the house is sealed properly. We recommend using insulation strips around windows and under doors. Make sure unused pet doors are shut and close off parts of the house you're not using," says Barnes.
5. Don't run large appliances during the day
"Appliances that generate a lot of heat, such as a dishwasher are best to run throughout the night. By putting it on before you go to bed you can avoid adding extra heat to the kitchen while you're attempting to cool things down. And for homes without solar panels, late night time can mean cheaper electricity and cheaper running costs," says Barnes.
"You can also switch to appliances that use less heat such as using an air fryer over an oven or steaming your vegetables in the microwave instead of over the cooktop. These simple switches can reduce the amount of heat in your home," says Barnes.
"But note that if you want to run your appliances cheaply, and you have solar panels on your home, then daytime is when your electricity is cheapest. So you need to weigh up running costs vs. heat load in the home."
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Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
