Please note that the price information in this article was based on data from 20XX and may now be outdated.
This depends on the wattage of your air-con. One large 5 kW air conditioner working on the electricity of an average price adds around $300 to the electricity bill of a household per year. This number can climb up to $1000 if the air con is used during peak hours. This data is published on the South Australia Government website.
The size of the room the aircon covers is also an important factor. Here is an estimate made by the South Australian Government about how much it costs per hour to cool down rooms of different sizes to the temperature between 24 and 27 C, using different air conditioning systems.
| |
12 m2 |
20 m2 |
36 m2 |
50 m2 |
125m2 |
| Portable evaporative |
7c |
7c |
|
|
|
| Portable refrigerative |
40-60c |
40-60c |
|
|
|
| Split systems |
23–39c |
40-45c |
48–70c |
76–97c |
|
| Ducted rev. systems |
|
|
|
|
47–62c |
| Ducted ref. systems |
|
|
|
|
$2.37–3.39 |
The wattage is the amount of electrical power that your air conditioner uses. The bigger the wattage, the more power is needed for it to do its job. More power means bigger electrical bills.
Your air con power, as well as your room size, are not the only factors that determine how much the air con will cost you to run. There are many ways you can influence this cost and reduce it. The idea behind all of them is to do your best to reduce the time the air conditioning is on.
How to Make Sure Your Air Conditioner is Installed Properly?
Always use certified installers for your air conditioner installation. These professionals understand the risks and the importance of a well-positioned AC system.
The first cost you have for your air con is the air conditioner installation. This is a critical step because a wrongly installed air conditioner can cause excessive power use. What is even worse is that it can cause even more dangerous issues, like overburdening the electrical circuits.
Discuss the material your air conditioner installers use for your air-con with them and ensure them that you want high-quality materials to be used. While it may cost a bit more during this first installation, it will pay off later in maintenance.
Ask for a quote for your air conditioning installation on Service Seeking and you will be able to choose from many professional aircon installation experts. They will answer your questions about the material they use and their previous experience.
Do Air Conditioners Need Maintenance?
Just like your car, your air con needs maintenance to work efficiently. This improves the way your air conditioner works, reduces the costs of its work, and prolongs its lifespan.
Regular maintenance usually means replacing filters and cleaning the unit. Sometimes, it can mean replacing some piping or even adjusting some bolts and nuts here and there. Here are the things you should do regularly to keep it at the optimal level:
- Replace filters once a month
- Clean up the external unit
- Clean the fan coil of the internal unit
- Clean the condenser coils
- Dust everything twice
If you notice any leaks, loose parts, or anything else that you think should be checked, don’t hesitate to find professionals to maintain your air conditioner.
What Temperature Should You Set Your Air Conditioner to Save Money?
Your air conditioner is the most economical when it maintains one temperature throughout the day. In summer, this temperature is usually 24 degrees. One of the worst things you can do with your air-con is to change the temperature on it every now and then.
Don’t turn your air-con until your home temperature reaches 24 degrees. Only when it does, turn it on and let it regulate the temperature on its own. For a while, it will remain off, but as the temperature outside rises and increases the temperature in your home or office, the air con will start working to maintain your 24 degrees.
As it gets warmer outside, the air con system will reply by increasing the cooling efforts. It is pointless to try to lower your system to 20 degrees. It will not work faster, but it will cost you more money.
Of course, if you think you can function well at 26 degrees instead of 24, it means you will save even more on your electricity bills. Try it, but be consistent. Choose one temperature and stick with it.
Does Insulation Help With Air Conditioning?
Start with your floors up since every little crack in your insulation system is costing you money in electricity. Your floors need to be well insulated. You can add layers of insulation to them. The types of insulation vary depending on the type of floor.
The same goes for your ceiling and your roof. You can choose from bulk or reflective insulation, which, again, depends on your house.
When it comes to windows, it is obvious that the direct sun on the glass will increase the temperature in your home, forcing your air con to work extra hard. To try and prevent this, install external shades that will block the sun even before it manages to heat up the window glass.
How to Cool Down Your House Without Air Conditioning?
Here are some of the ideas you can use to cool down your home without using the air conditioning system all the time.
- Surround your home with plants and trees to create shade
- Paint your roof in light colours to deflect the sun's rays
- Allow for the free airflow in your home, whenever possible, to cool down walls
- Make use of that cool night breeze to reduce your home temperature, preparing it for the next day
These are all solid tips on how to save some money while still using your air conditioning system to keep you nice and cool during those hot months. However, don’t shy away from the alternatives, either.
Fans are much cheaper options, and you can use them when you feel it is enough just for the air to move around a bit for your surroundings to be pleasant.
Sometimes, it is enough to have a dehumidifier rather than a working air conditioning system. In some parts of Australia, the climate is more humid than hot and the humidity is what is causing discomfort. A good dehumidifier reduces the electricity bills.
Suppose you think that your best is still to use a good air conditioning system and you want to talk to experts for air con installation, use Seeking Services. Get quotes from your local air conditioner installation experts and pick the one that you trust the most.
