They say that life, or at least adult life, is all about compromises. And one compromise that millions of people around the globe make each year is giving up their hard-earned cash just to make their home comfortable through the summer.
Aircon is an excellent solution to a common problem, but it can be expensive. Nobody wants to feel like they’re living in a sauna, but they also don’t want their energy bills to skyrocket just to maintain a climate that they enjoy at other times of the year for no extra cost. Is it possible to have the best of both worlds – air conditioning without much bigger bills?
Happily, the answer is yes. Here are some of the tips on how you can do it.
– Regular servicing: To keep your air conditioner working efficiently, make sure you get it serviced on a regular basis. At least one per year is ideal. The harder it has to work to cool the room, the more energy it will use and the more it will cost you. Sure, you have to pay to get it serviced, but this cost probably represents only a fraction of the extra money you will have to pay over the summer months if your AC is in bad condition, or if you have to suddenly replace it.
– Consider a smart thermostat: These automate the process of switching your aircon on and off to maintain a consistent temperature. They help you save money because they can step in and shut off your aircon when you forget, for example, if you go out or fall asleep.
Make sure you put your thermostat in the right place though. If it is in a place that gets warmer, such as next to a window which receives a lot of sunlight, it is likely to turn your AC on much more frequently. Ideally, it should be located on a wall near the centre of the house and not near any windows or vents.
– Seal cracks and stop leaks: Another factor that can make it hard for air con to cool a room is when the cold air it pumps in is immediately transported somewhere else. Sometimes we feel this as a draft. Doors and windows with cracks and openings should be sealed up, otherwise some of that cold air is just going straight out of the room and being wasted.
– Close the curtains: Keeping the sun from shining in through your windows during the hottest part of the day can make a big difference to how much energy your AC takes to effectively cool the room.
– Avoid using ovens and cooktops: These inevitably increase the temperature inside, requiring more energy for your AC to bring it down again. The microwave is okay, but barbeques are even better.
Buying an air conditioner might be the first time you have to pay for it, but it is not the last. If you are not careful, you can end up paying more than that for the electricity it uses over its lifetime. However, with these tips you should be able to make considerable savings in the long run.
