Despite the vast array of different air conditioning setups in homes due to the size of the house, how many air conditioning units there are, and the types of air conditioning units, according to air con experts at airandwater.com.au, there is one factor that they all have in common, and that is every one of them costs money to run. Specifically, if you have air conditioning in your home, then it is inevitable that your electricity bill will include the cost of the energy used to operate your air conditioning.

The electricity bill amounts and the proportion of them accounted for by air conditioning will be even greater if you live in a part of the country which experiences more heat than others. For example, if you live in Western Australia, you will need air conditioning running in your home for way more hours than someone who lives in Tasmania.

However, there are several ways to reduce your electricity bill or at least that part of your electric bill created by air conditioning. Read on and discover seven expert tips on reducing your air conditioning bills.

Ensure Your Air Con Units Are Maintained Properly

A poorly maintained air conditioning unit that has never cleaned its filters runs inefficiently. This increases the energy required, which ultimately leads to higher electric bills. Stop this by ensuring that your air con units are maintained regularly, including cleaning the filters.

Turn The Air Con Off When Not Needed

This might seem obvious, but you would shocked at how many homes have air conditioning running 24/7 when it is only required about 70% of the time. You can save a considerable amount on your electricity bills if you encourage everyone who lives with you to turn off the air conditioning when it is unnecessary, such as at night when temperatures drop considerably.

Install A Programmable Timer

Expanding upon the earlier suggestion, if you wish to eliminate the need for you or your family to turn off your air conditioning manually, you could install a programmable timer. This would allow you to establish designated times for your air conditioning to be on and, more importantly, be off throughout the day.

Provide Shade For Your Home

The more direct sunlight your home receives, the higher the temperatures will become inside, and thus, the greater the need for air conditioning to be on. You can lower indoor temperatures by reducing direct sunlight exposure by providing shade for the areas of your residence that receive the most sunlight.

Planting tall shrubs or trees outdoors is a choice, though a more convenient alternative would be to install window blinds or curtains for the windows in the rooms that tend to become warmer.

Turn Off Unused Appliances That Generate Heat

This tip helps you save electricity costs in two ways. Firstly, turning off any electrical appliance or device when it is not being used saves money. Second, as many of these appliances generate heat when on, increasing the need for air conditioning, switching them off reduces your air conditioning costs.

Use Passive Cooling Methods

You will have noted a common theme throughout this article about reducing temperatures in your home so that there is less need for air conditioning to be on. As such, anything you can do to cool your home while not using electricity is helpful. Options such as tinted windows or opening windows for increased ventilation can help.

Purchase Portable/Ceiling Fans

Yes, fans use electricity, but the amount required to run is far less than air conditioning, so having one or more ceiling or portable fans can lower indoor temperatures and lower your electricity bills.