How To Keep Your Electric Bill Low Even With AC On

There are days that cranking up the air conditioning unit is a must. In Australia, summer days can be really hot and the only thing that can keep you comfortable is keeping the air conditioning unit on all day long. With the air conditioning unit running all day long, it would not be surprise if your electric bill will significantly increase. It is actually expected because when the temperature rises, the efficiency of the AC will reduce dramatically. However, there are some practical ways that you could do to keep your electric bill low even with air conditioner running most of the time.

• 1.       Prepare your AC unit before the weather gets too warm. Have your air conditioning unit checked by professional air conditioning repair in Perth to ensure that it works efficiently. An efficiently running air conditioning unit consume less electricity than those who are not. The basic maintenance on your AC can really goes a long way.
• 2.       Set your air conditioning unit low at night. When you are asleep, your body don’t require the same level of coolness as that when you are awake. When you are awake, you do a lot of movement and thus your body produces more heat and requires more cooling. Turning your air conditioner down during night time can significantly reduce your electric bill without sacrificing convenience.
• 3.       Go slow with heat producing chores. Cooking on oven can produce massive amount of heat. It is the same with drying dishes using dishwasher, clothes dryer, curling iron and other heat producing appliances. When the room become heated your AC will work harder and so does your electric meter. Try doing those chores in the night or early morning where the temperature is lower. For cooking try to use microwave oven or stove instead. Much better if you use the grill outside your home.
• 4.       Keep your thermostat at 78 degrees. According to study, 78 degrees is the temperature where your air conditioning unit run at its best performance. 78 degree is not too high and not too low, just a right in the middle. If you are still using the old model thermostat you should consider getting the programmable one. With programmable thermostat you save as much as $100 a year in electric bill.
• 5.       Consider installing a whole house fan. A whole house is a great help in keeping your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. A whole house fan is commonly installed in the attic and draws cool air inside while forcing the heated air outside. With house fan installed you can use it at night while maintaining the 78 degrees setting on the thermostat. This can greatly help reduce the energy usage of the airconditioning unit.

Is Your Air Conditioning Unit Can Keep Up With The Heat?

In the peak of the Australian summer heat, the common complain among homeowners is that their air conditioning unit cannot keep up with heat. This is not a surprise, because a home with a properly sized air conditioning unit is designed to run on a 92 degrees Fahrenheit and the Australian summer heat can hit more than 100 degrees. Even the homes with oversized air conditioning unit cannot keep up with the heat. That is because the higher the temperature outside your home, the harder your air conditioning has to work.

On the really hot days in Perth the temperature can spike up more than a 100 degrees and your air conditioning unit could run 24/7 without having your home properly cooled.  If you are having similar experience with A/C, you have to make sure that the heat stay outside your home and to make sure that your air conditioner is running efficiently and well.

First, we will discuss on how to keep the heat outside your home. Remember that the work of your air conditioning unit is not just to give out cool air but also to draw out the hot air. If there is too much hot air inside the room your AC will have to work harder. Installing shade screens, shading windows with trees or awnings and using dark coloured curtains, blinds or shutters can help to keep the heat out. And keep the doors and windows shut, do not try to cool the entire neighbourhood.  

You should also check for hidden leaks. According to the estimate of Energy Star average home losses about 20 to 30 percent of air through air ducts. These same ducts also let the warm air enter your home. It is important to seal the air ducts. Improving your home insulation can greatly help in keeping the hot air outside your home while keeping the cool air inside.

The second and the most important thing you should do is to keep your air conditioning running efficiently. You can help your AC running smoothly by changing its filter regularly and have an airconditioning repairs in Perth check your AC regularly, at least once a year to make sure that all parts are in good condition.

If your air conditioning unit cannot keep with the heat outside, it is your task to help it through by following the simple suggestions above. Keeping your home cool and comfortable even during the peak of summer is simple, all need is some common sense and attentiveness.