There are plenty of myths surrounding the cost of running an air conditioner. Most people have probably heard more fictional stories than fact. With the advances in technology and renewable energy, plus the improvements in home designs – the cost of running your air conditioning system is quite affordable.
Recently, Canstar Blue researched the costs associated with air conditioning and heating, and the breakdown was quite surprising. Quite often, it’s the heating and cooling that gets blamed for high home power bills but the results show that there are many other household appliances that use more power per hour.
So, what are the figures you need to know, and which myths do we need to set straight? Keep reading to find out.
Star Rating and the Cost of Air Conditioning
Today, just about every major appliance has an energy star rating. So, what does it all mean? Well, more stars mean better energy efficiency and in the long run more savings. You may have to pay a little bit extra up front but, in the long run, it’ll be worth it.
If you were to buy a seven-star rated ducted air conditioner instead of a five-star rated model, you could be saving almost 20% in air conditioning energy costs per year. Remember to take this into account when you’re making your initial purchase. Instead of only looking at the ticket price, ask your supplier how much you could be saving each year.
You may also want to weigh up the costs and efficiency of evaporative air conditioners or fans versus ducted air conditioning. Of course, each has their pros and cons – it’s well worth discussing all the options with your supplier.
What can you do to Reduce Air Conditioning Costs?
If you have a property that feels the cool in winter or swelters in summer, there are many things you can do to reduce the temperature fluctuating in your home.
Insulation
Good insulation can provide a lifetime of benefits. While it won’t eliminate the need for heating or cooling completely, it will reduce your usage dramatically.
Draught Proof
It’s estimated that 25% of heat loss from homes is caused by air leaking out of the house or cool air entering the home. Invest some time replacing door and window seals and if you have downlights, consider installing approved downlight covers.
Energy Efficient Windows
Energy-efficient windows can help keep your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter. A single pane glass window can lose up to 10 times more heat in winter.
For new homeowners, the National Construction Code has set a minimum 6-star standard which guarantees new homes will have much lower energy costs. From the position of your home to the interior structure, everything is considered to minimise your energy usage.
Air Conditioning Costs Vs Household Appliances
If you have an energy bill blowout, the heater or air-con usually gets the blame. According to the Canstar Blue report, the average reverse cycle air conditioner in a medium sized room of 36sqm would cost $0.36 – $0.70 per hour to cool and between $0.13 – $0.36 to heat. If you compare the costs of running your air conditioning against other appliances, you’ll see air conditioning isn’t always the bad guy. Take a look below at the list of appliances that could be consuming more energy than you think.
Costs more than air conditioning Costs less than air conditioning
Iron Television
Oven Computer
Vacuum Cleaner Printer
Microwave Dishwasher
There’s one other household device that ends up costing more than air conditioning, and that’s lighting. In winter, shorter days and more time spent at home means you’re likely using more lighting. If you break it down to per globe, the cost of lighting your home is quite low when using LED globes. The reality is, we rarely have only one light on in the home at any given time and we use our lights rain, hail or shine.
If you want to find out more facts about saving energy and how you can create a comfortable home, talk to the air conditioning and heating experts at Perth City Air. Call now to arrange a meeting or to get a quote, fill in your details on our contact page and we’ll get back to you soon.
