At the height of summer, air conditioning becomes invaluable for many families. It may be classed as a luxury addition but, when temperatures soar, it rarely feels that way. In fact, it can be hard to go without, even if electricity bills are costly. It’s why providers like Billy Aircon offer only the most efficient and affordable cooling technologies.
If you want to save money and stay cool, give your aircon some love this summer. Regular servicing and maintenance is the best way to ensure peak performance. You can also use simple money saving tips and tricks to increase overall efficiency. Don’t forget everyday routines have a direct impact on how easy it is to cool your home.
This article offers advice on lowering your air conditioning bills without compromising on comfort.
1. Keep the Cold Air Inside
If your home is leaky – with draughts around windows and doors – your aircon will need to work harder to cool the space. One easy way to lower cooling costs is to plug up as many of these holes as you can find. Run your hands along the frames. If you feel a draught, use caulk or insulating foam to fill it and trap the cold air indoors.
2. Relocate Your Thermostat
The efficiency of your aircon is directly impacted by the performance of its thermostat. If the control unit is in an especially hot area of the house, it will blow harder than necessary. You could, potentially, save money by relocating the thermostat to a cooler spot. That way, it’ll turn on or increase only when temperatures in most parts of the house are high.
3. Shut the Curtains
In a similar vein, it’s a good idea to keep curtains and blinds closed when you’re away. The hotter the house, the more you’ll spend on cooling it. So, don’t raise internal temperatures by letting lots of sunshine inside unnecessarily.
4. Turn Electricals Off
Electrical components are the biggest producers of household heat. Lightbulbs, games consoles, TVs and kitchen appliances all increase internal temperatures. One of the quickest, simplest ways to save money is to turn them off when not in use. When you’re away from home, all lights and appliances (except for essentials like the fridge) need to be inactive.
5. Use a Fan Upstairs
If you’re struggling to stay cool upstairs, but you’d rather not kick the aircon up a notch, put portable fans in second floor spaces. It’s cheaper than lowering the thermostat because fans ensure the chilled air gets circulated properly. Heat rises, so keep rooms comfortable by making better use of the cold air already present.
6. Get It Serviced
As already mentioned, one of the best ways to save money is to keep your air conditioning system in peak health. If you can afford it, pay for a six-monthly or yearly service. AC units work extremely hard and, over time, dirt, dust, mold and other contaminants can harm its efficiency. Get an expert to periodically review, test and refresh your system.
7. Don’t Cool an Empty House
It’s a common misconception to think cooling a home all day is the best way to save money on utility bills. It does not cost more to cool hot rooms, after many hours of being empty than it does to cool them constantly. As such, it’s best to leave the aircon on a lower setting while you’re away. You may be uncomfortable for a brief while after you get back, but your bills will be more manageable.
8. Replace the Filter Regularly
For most AC systems, a regular filter replacement is needed to ensure peak efficiency. This typically occurs every three months. However, every unit is different, so check your manual to find out how often you should do it. Replacing an air filter is fairly straightforward, in most cases, but you may wish to call a contractor. Not only will it increase performance, it’ll also keep the indoor air healthy and free of pollutants.
How to Make Caring for Your Air Conditioning a Breeze
Nothing keeps energy bills in check better than attentiveness. That old saying about prevention being cheaper than the cure is absolutely true here. If you spend a little time and money taking care of your AC system now – with regular services and filter replacements – you’ll be rewarded with a super-efficient, super cool home.