How Can Your Air Conditioner Affect Your Energy Bill?

There are many different types of Air Conditioning systems on the market, each with benefits and drawbacks. Each type of AC system is designed for different situations and could have a stronger impact on your electricity bill.

A split-system air conditioner consists of 2 components: an indoor and outdoor unit. The outdoor unit does the heavy lifting to ensure the indoor unit has a smooth and quiet performance. 

This air conditioning system is ideal for cooling rooms that are close together, thanks to its power and efficiency. But it’s not a viable solution to cool your whole house. 

One split system unit would have to use more electricity to work harder to cool down a large space. This would be ineffective and can significantly add to your energy bill. 

So, if you want to cool the whole house, you may have to opt for multiple split systems.

A ducted air conditioning system has a central unit usually hidden in the roof. The ducts connect to the central system and provide airflow through the air outlets in each room. 

This system is perfectly designed for total home cooling and heating while giving you effective control of the household’s temperature via a central thermostat. 

A big house with several rooms may benefit from a ducted system, but it can cost a fortune to run! The more rooms you have, the more power your AC will use to cool down your home to your desired temperature. 

While they can be expensive to install and use, they can also be a worthwhile long-term investment that will keep your whole house cool over the summer.

These are single box units installed through the window or mounted onto the wall. They’re designed to cool smaller rooms and offer an affordable option for your home.

While they have a lower investment cost, a wall/window system is ineffective for total home cooling.

This system will not only cost you more for your electricity but won’t efficiently cool your entire home.

If you’re looking for a quick fix to cool your home, a portable AC system is the way to go. While a standard large-scale air conditioning unit can offer more power than a portable AC system, the downsides are that they can be pretty noisy and take up precious floor space. 

Portable air conditioners aren’t very efficient when it comes to cooling big rooms. You’d also have to start the whole cooling process if you were to move to another room, which would only cost you more.

Temperature and cooling capacity can dramatically impact your cooling costs.

Although 1 degree may not seem like much, it forces your air conditioner to use more electricity than required and can hurt your bank account. 

So, having your air conditioner temperature set to the lowest in summer and highest in winter can significantly contribute to an expensive energy bill.

Imagine using a tiny aircon to cool a massive room – it’s just not going to work! You’re probably better off staying in the shower all day!

An air conditioner’s cooling capacity and room size are two factors that must work together to cool your home effectively.

An air conditioner with a small cooling capacity in a big space may require more electricity to cool the room, which may cost you more. However, an air conditioner with a high cooling capacity in a small room may overperform, thus using more energy than required. 

So it’s wise to pick an aircon’s cooling capacity based on the size of the room you wish to use it in. The table below indicates an air conditioner’s cooling capacity that will be efficient and effective for a room’s size.

As with any appliance, the longer you use it, the more it’ll cost you. And it’s the same for running your air conditioner!

Prolonged use of your AC system would add a significant amount to your electricity bill as opposed to a household that uses it for an hour a day.

The number of people in the household can also impact your air conditioning running cost, as an individual’s body heat can affect the room temperature.

A room with more people is more likely to take a long time and use more electricity to cool than it would with a space of fewer people.

It’s always hotter in the kitchen when you’re cooking up a storm! The kitchen will almost always be hotter.

The steam from hot food can cause the temperature of your home to rise. So, your AC system has to use more electricity to combat the heat of your kitchen.

Now that we’ve seen a few factors that can affect your air conditioning running cost, let’s check out some tips that might help you save on your energy bill while keeping cool!

*The above picture is an example from the Energy Rating website; energyrating.gov.au

You’ve most certainly seen the energy efficiency rating labels on most appliances, so you know that the more stars it has, the more energy-efficient it is! 

The energy star rating labels give you the appliances’ energy efficiency star rating to compare against similar products. 

An air conditioner with a high energy efficiency rating is more efficient and uses less power, resulting in a lower expense on your energy bill.

We’ve all been guilty of cranking the air conditioner down to 18 degrees in the Summer! But in reality, it’s unnecessary and a waste of money.

Maintaining a consistent temperature of 22 to 24 degrees throughout the day ensures that your AC system is not consuming more electricity than required to keep your home cool.

A dehumidifier is a great alternative to cool your home in humid weather. Most dehumidifiers are portable and cheap, providing a fast solution to combat the heat. 

Other great options are portable or ceiling fans. It’s energy-efficient and effective at cooling your room. While you’d have to have a fan for each room, it’s still a cheaper alternative than an AC.

A poorly maintained AC system is likelier to use more electricity to compensate for its inefficiency. So it’s essential to regularly clean your air conditioner’s filter to ensure no cold air blockage.

Proper cleaning and dusting of vents and exterior components allow the air conditioning unit to cool your home efficiently.

Home insulation is a crucial aspect of every household. You need it to keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer. 

So ensuring your home is adequately insulated helps circulate the cold air around the house and prevent it from escaping.

Here is another simple yet effective tip! We all try to find some shade outside to escape the heat. 

So closing your curtains when the aircon is running helps cool down the room much quicker than if the window was uncovered. 

The faster the room cools down to the perfect temperature, the shorter you’ll use your air conditioner and the less it’ll cost you!

You might be paying too much for your electricity. If you know you’ll use your aircon for long periods, you might be better off switching to a cheaper energy deal.

Call Electricity Monster today if you think you’re paying too much. We can compare prices between our partnered retailers to get you the best deal we have available.

If you’re a heavy air conditioner user, then maybe going solar could be the perfect solution for you. It means that the energy your AC unit uses to cool your home comes from the very thing that makes the weather hot! 

While going solar can be expensive, it’s a worthwhile investment that could end up saving you money for your electricity.

There you have it! We’ve given you the lowdown on how much your aircon could potentially cost you and the factors that can significantly add to your electricity bills.

These energy-saving tips are an excellent way to still cool your home without having to compromise on how long you use it.

Chill out with the air conditioner in the sweltering summer period without stressing how much it costs you! Looking for a cheap electricity deal to accommodate your high air conditioning usage in the summer months? Call us on 1300 232 848, and we’ll help you get a sharper rate!

At Electricity Monster, we can provide you with various free solutions at no cost to you. If you’re looking for a new energy plan, our team of energy experts will find you the best we have within our network of partnered retailers.

Have questions about your energy usage? We can help. Give our team a call today and let us provide you with the solution to your energy and solar needs.