Key Points
- Australians are expected to spend an additional $190 million on air conditioning this summer.
- Melburnians benefit from the lowest average usage rate, while Adelaide has the highest rate.
- There are a number of tips to reduce bills and manage hot days.
Australians this summer are expected to spend an additional $190 million on air conditioning — an average of $305 per household — compared to the previous year, according to the comparison site Finder.
The hotter it is, the more energy we use.
"As the climate's changing, we're definitely using more energy in our houses," Glenn Platt, professor at the School of Electrical and Information Engineering at the University of Sydney, told SBS News.
A recent report by the financial comparison site Canstar shows that nearly one in three Australians blame air conditioning for their power bills, while one in four plan to restrict their air conditioning use.
Where is air conditioning the most expensive to run?
According to Canstar, an average reverse-cycle air conditioner can cost between $31 and $415 per year to operate for cooling.
This number can vary depending on where you live. According to Canstar, Melburnians benefit from the lowest average usage rate, and Adelaide has the highest rate.
How do you stay cool and pay less?
There are different methods that Australians can use to reduce their spending on energy and, in the meantime, manage hot summer days.
One is considering the times of day when you use the most energy, and off-peak periods.
The Department of Energy recommends:
- Use shade on your windows (especially the ones facing north and west)
- When temperatures drop outside, open windows or doors on opposite sides of the room
- Block draughts and cracks with window and door seals
- Use the dishwasher or washing machine when it's cooler, and avoid using the oven in the hottest part of the day
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) says for every degree you lower the temperature, your costs can increase by 10 per cent. It recommends setting your air conditioning temperature between 24 and 25C and to cool only the areas you're using.
Platt said that one common misconception is that if the air conditioning temperature is lower, the house will get cooler faster.
"That's not true. It just means you use a lot more energy ... The temperature on the remote control doesn't affect the speed of cooling at all," he said.
"If you have air conditioning, instead of running the air conditioning at 22 degrees, maybe run it at 25 degrees. If it's really hot outside 25, it's still very comfortable."
CSIRO reports that up to 40 per cent of the energy used to cool your home can be lost simply through windows. Double glazing, tinting, or snugly fitted window coverings such as drapes or roller blinds can reduce these energy losses.
"Open all the windows in your house up in the evening to let the house cool down, and then close them early in the morning to keep the heat out. And close blinds and things like that can make a big difference," Platt explains.
Platt also recommends using fans instead of air conditioners.
"If you do have air conditioning, make the temperature a little bit warmer, and then turn the fan up.
"One of the big things that makes us more comfortable is just having more airflow."
