Staying cool in the heat is a challenge that most of us are familiar with, but blasting the air conditioning all day can lead to high electricity bills and a nasty surprise when that bill arrives.
Running the air conditioner at full tilt is not the only way that you can keep the heat at bay in summer. Here are three hot tips that can help you keep your cool, without sending your electricity costs into the red.
1. Set your air-conditioner one degree warmer.
Setting an air conditioning unit just one degree warmer can cut your cooling costs by up to 10 per cent, and chances are you won’t notice the difference. You can also reduce your costs by turning off the air conditioning in rooms you don’t use all the time, and keeping your unit clean and well maintained.
2. Keep blinds down during the day and open at night.
Reducing the amount of sunlight that enters your home can help keep it much cooler and reduce the amount of time you need to spend running your air conditioner. The most effective blinds are ones that cover the entire window and fit snugly around the outside. Light coloured backings on the window side also help to deflect the sun’s heat. You can also try planting trees, shrubs and vines around the outside of your home to provide shade for walls and roofs.
3. Make sure your home is well insulated.
A well insulated, draught-free home is going to keep refrigerated air inside more efficiently, meaning less of a need to generate more cool air. When it comes to saving on cooling costs, efficiency is the key, and making sure the cool air stays where it is, and making sure the size of your air conditioner is appropriate for your home, can help you see a big difference in your quarterly bills.
If you really want to save money on your electricity, you could turn off the air conditioning, except on those exceptionally hot days, and use a fan, evaporative cooler, or open a few windows to take advantage of those old-fashioned cross breezes.
Make sure your electrical appliances are working at their maximum efficiency this summer. Call Captain Electric (REC 18185) on 1300 445 996, or visit us at www.captainelectric.com.au to find out how we can help you stay cool in the heat. Captain Electric – we go Above and Beyond.