The UK has been experiencing an increasing number of uncomfortably hot days over recent years, so air conditioning is becoming more and more attractive. Nevertheless, it can consume a lot of energy and increase your energy bills. Here’s a quick guide to saving money when using air conditioning.
Only turn it on when needed
An air conditioning unit will try to maintain an ideal temperature of your choice, so it might be tempting to just leave it on constantly. In more moderate conditions, however, you may not really notice if it’s a few degrees warmer. You could therefore save money by only turning it on when the weather makes your home uncomfortably warm, such as during a heat wave. You can then return to saving money by turning it off when the weather cools down again.
What’s more, any electrical device needs energy while it’s functioning. Even if a unit is not actively cooling, you can save energy by turning it off.
Manage your home’s temperature in other ways
If you’re used to living without air conditioning, you’re probably familiar with using tricks to keep your home as cool as possible. This can also be useful for taking the pressure off your air conditioning and therefore saving money. It might also enable you to delay using the air conditioning.
Windows that catch the sun can heat a room up like a greenhouse. Having light-coloured blinds or curtains and using them to block out the sun therefore reduces the rate at which rooms heat up. Doors and windows should also be closed during the day to limit the warm air entering your home.
Conversely, it tends to get cooler in the evening, so you can take advantage of free cooling through cross-ventilation. This involves opening multiple doors and windows at opposing sides of your home to allow a current of cool air to flow through it. You should turn off your air conditioning off at this point to stop it working more than it needs to.
Consider the model’s energy efficiency
If you haven’t installed air conditioning yet, or if you are replacing an old unit, it’s worth considering the efficiency of the new model. A more efficient model will consume less energy to achieve the same amount of cooling, so it will save money in the long run.
Take advantage of smart temperature controls
There’s little point in cooling an empty house, so it’s worth using the smart controls of modern units to set when the air conditioning goes on and off. For example, you could set it to only turn on late afternoon, just before everyone starts arriving home. It could then turn off automatically in the evening when it starts to cool again. You could also set it to run during the daytime at weekends when more people are home.
Optimise the performance of air conditioning
A well-installed and -maintained air conditioning unit should be working at its best, but you may be able to save money by activating an eco mode. This will use less compressor capacity to save energy and may help the unit to function longer by reducing wear and tear.
You can also help air conditioning to function efficiently by turning on any ceiling fans or strategically placing some portable fans to circulate air.
Install and maintain units appropriately
Fixed air-conditioning is only as good as its installation, so it’s important to have it professionally maintained. A professional installer will also ensure you have the right size units for your space. This can affect your running costs, because an overly large one will cost more, whereas an undersized one will need to work flat out and consume more energy.
It’s also important to maintain it, so it keeps working efficiently. Cleaning and replacing air filters when needed is an important part of this. These remove airborne particles from the air but can over time become clogged and restrict the air conditioning. Regular servicing from a qualified, certified engineer is also important to keep your air conditioning running effectively and efficiently. Skipping on this could lead to increasingly costly energy bills. Xgas is F-Gas certified to work on air conditioning, so get in touch to learn how you could enjoy a cooler home. Financing options are also available to spread the cost.