How to keep cool while keeping your electricity bill down this summer

If you’re wondering how to lower your electric bill in the summer, you’ll be pleased to know there are plenty of easy hacks to save you the big bucks and keep your home cool.

There’s a lot to love about summer in Australia — longer days, beach time, barbeques and cricket on the telly.

But the warmer months are less endearing when you’re covered in a thin layer of sweat all day and too hot sleep at night. By mid-December, air-con becomes an essential survival tool.

But how do you stay cool without blowing out your electricity bill? With just a few tweaks and the right unit, it can be done. Here’s how.

TWEAK THE TEMPERATURE

Did you know that turning your AC up just one degree cuts your electricity use by around 10 per cent?

That’s because the harder your air conditioner has to work, the more power it uses. So if you’re trying to cut back on your power bill, resist the urge to turn your AC all the way down to 18 degrees. In fact, in Melbourne, experts advise that the optimum cooling temperature is actually between 26 and 27 degrees celsius.

Tweaking the temperature is one of the most effective ways to stay cool on the cheap. You probably won’t notice a one or two-degree difference, but your wallet will.

GO FOR LOW ENERGY AND HIGH TECH

Choosing the right air conditioner will also make a big difference to your electricity bill.

By going for a unit with a good energy rating, like a split system reverse cycle air conditioner, you’ll save yourself money. The more stars a unit has, the higher its energy efficiency and therefore the cheaper it will be to run.

High tech models are actually designed to help you lower your power bills — it comes with energy-saving an economy mode and human sensor technology, which picks up movement in the room and automatically adjusts temperature settings.

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You should also look for units with built in timers, so that your AC will automatically switch off when it’s not needed. Some units come with a sleep timer that will gradually change the temperature across the night to ensure you’re getting a comfortable night’s sleep, but not using more power than necessary. Some also have a weekly timer that allows you to pre-set on and off times for up to a week — which is great if you have a habit of forgetting to switch the AC off before you head out for the day.

PLUG UP DRAFTS

If half of your cold air is rushing out under the front door, you’re going to end up needlessly adding to your power bill. Again, that’s because the harder your air conditioner has to work to keep a space cool, the more power it chews through. A simple frugal fix is to plug up any drafts in your home to keep the cool in, while a longer-term investment would be improving the insulation in your home.

Similarly, consider keeping your curtains and blinds down during the day. By blocking out the sun’s rays, you’ll keep the temperature down inside without having to jack up the AC.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY KEEP A REGULAR SERVICING SCHEDULE

There’s one more simple thing you can do to keep your electricity bills down in summer: Get a service.

When air conditioner filters are dirty, units have to work hard to get the cool air out — which, once more, will up your power bills. So by regularly cleaning or replacing your filter, you’ll save money. Easy as!

Ready to book your system in for a service? Book a service here and Precision will help you reduce Air-Conditioning Costs

Why it is Important to Maintain a Regular Servicing Schedule for you Air Conditioner

Why is it Important to Maintain a Regular Servicing Schedule for my Air Conditioning Systems

How to keep my Air Conditioning Systems Running Longer & Cheaper

Caring for your heat pump is easily and often discounted as a ‘nice to have’ rather than a necessity. However, they are an asset worth something to the value of your home and your own personal comfort so therefore worth taking care of.

Longer lifecycle

Like anything with a motor, regular maintenance and servicing is important for your split system’s heat pump to keep it running as well as possible for as long as possible.

Enhancing efficiency

Efficiency should be a key driver to get your heat pump serviced regularly, after all, isn’t efficient heating why you had it installed? When it’s not running at its peak it’s costing you more in energy consumption.

Health benefits

Regular heat pump servicing helps the filters keep doing their job of removing bacteria and odours from the air in your home.

Improved comfort

If your heat pump isn’t at its peak and heating or cooling proficiently it’s directly impacting your comfort levels.

When to service

A good brand, serviced properly, can last anywhere up to 15 years. Never having it serviced could knock at least 5 years off that or at least ensure it’s performing poorly for a large portion of it’s lifecycle.

Your heat pump should be serviced before you really need it so pre-winter and, if you use it for cooling, before the peak of summer.

If you notice your power bills have increased without an obvious reason it could be your heat pump is not running well and needs a service.

I clean my heat pump filters, I don’t need a service

We hear this a lot and it’s important to know that cleaning and servicing are quite different. Filter cleaning is basic maintenance and good on you for doing it often. However, servicing also tends to the mechanical operation of both the indoor and outdoor units.

Things you can do yourself

Check your manual and follow any instructions it gives on maintenance and cleaning.
Clean supply and return grilles/louvers with a damp cloth (these are the fins that swing back and forth to move the air) and make sure they’re not blocked.
Filters can usually be cleaned simply by vacuuming or wiping with a damp cloth. During times of heavy use you may want to wash them in warm soapy water, leave to dry and return to the unit.
To clean the outdoor unit, gently hose it down to remove dirt and a brush to clear away cobwebs and bits of plants and leaves that have gathered and could block the coil or drain.

Troubleshooting

If your system won’t switch on, check the remote control batteries. It they’re ok, check the fuse in your fuse box.
If the temperature is right but the air flow is weak check the filters aren’t clogged with dust and in need of cleaning.
Check your manual’s troubleshooting section and follow any instructions.
If you don’t see any improvement after following these tips it’s time to call in Precision!.

Precision Service

Because we know air-conditioning so well, we know what your system needs, and when, to ensure it’s running in top condition.

At Precision, our service includes the following:

Clean and disinfect the systems’ coils
Clean and disinfect drain pipes and condensate pumps if fitted
Clean air filters
Check the electrical circuit for the system
Check for any refrigerant gas leaks
Check the systems fault diagnostics
Check temperature readings
Check the systems general operation
Check noise levels
Instruct in any operation and maintenance requirements if necessary

Looking to start a regular servicing and maintenance Schedule?

Book your system in with Precision and we will make sure you continue to have a comfortable & healthy home!