It’s hard to believe it’s March already – seems like only yesterday we were making our New Year’s resolutions!
Of course, the official end of summer doesn’t mean we’ll have already seen the last of the warm weather – this is Brisbane, after all!
That means air conditioners in Brisbane are likely to see a lot more use yet.
Of course, summer isn’t the only thing that comes to an end during March – so too does the first quarter of the year.
And with the end of Q1 comes 2019’s first power bills.
Experiencing bill shock? Tips to make the most of your air conditioning
Sick of opening up emails and being shocked by your electricity bills?
If so, you aren’t alone.
When March comes to an end, many in Brisbane experience the same surprise with their power bills.
And in many cases, a large contributor is air conditioning.
Brisbane air conditioners had to work overtime this summer – according the BOM, this particular summer was the hottest on record (not like we needed to be told that!)
So if you’re looking for ways to reign in your power bill, your air conditioner is a great place to start.
What can you do in future summers to keep your power bill at a reasonable level?
1) Turn your air conditioning off at night
As we’ve discussed before, temperature tells your body when it’s time to hit the hay – in short, lower temperatures = sleepiness.
Naturally, air conditioning can be a powerful tool for a good night’s sleep.
However, there’s a more affordable way to cool your house down – should the overnight forecast permit it!
When the sun goes down, the outside temperature often drops, too.
Our suggestion? Take advantage of this fact!
Instead of turning on your air conditioner, consider opening your windows instead. This releases the hot indoor air, and allows cool outdoor air to replace it throughout the night.
Only once you reach the point where open windows won’t lower the temperature any further (read: when indoor temperature = outdoor temperature) should you hand the job over to your trusty air conditioner.
2) Set your air conditioner to the fan setting
Most air conditioners also come with a fan mode. This setting is great for ventilation.
And if you ask us, it’s also a great way of cooling down your home without breaking the bank.
Just like opening a window, fan mode cycles out hot indoor air and replaces it with cooler outside air – the only difference is that fans can do it much faster than an open window can.
Not to mention, setting your air conditioner to fan mode uses up considerably less energy than cooling mode!
For maximum effectiveness, we recommend waiting until it cools down outside before switching your fan on – think of it like taking the open window technique and taking it to the next level!
3) Use the timer on your air conditioning system
If you ask us, your thermostat is your secret weapon in your quest to cool down your home without incurring a huge energy bill.
That’s because most air conditioners can be configured to only turn on once the mercury passes a specific temperature, or only during set times.
If you’re worried about your energy usage, it might be a good idea to fiddle with the settings on your thermostat.
Some of our suggestions include setting your air conditioner to:
- Shut off once your home reaches a temperature you’re comfortable with
- Only turn on during times when you’re at home
- Turn itself off after sundown so you can switch it over to fan mode or use the window technique of cooling
4) Invest in an air conditioning upgrade
Sometimes, the only way to make money (or in this case, save it) is to spend money.
And that often holds true for air conditioning!
In many cases, older air conditioning systems reach a point where it’s simply not much you can do short of replacing them altogether.
Think of your old “window rattlers” – these systems aren’t just loud, but they take forever to cool down even a single room.
Worst of all, they’re absolutely terrible with energy usage!
These air conditioning hacks will only get you so far. Sometimes, air conditioning upgrades might be the only way to continue enjoying a comfortable house without racking up a huge power bill.
How MyAir installation can help you save energy
One particular air conditioning upgrade that‘s in high demand right about now is MyAir.
Developed by Perth-based company Advantage Air, MyAir offers the ultimate in temperature control, including:
- Allowances for up to 10 different zones
- Precise control over airflow (down to 5% increments)
- Advanced motion and temperature sensors
All of this works together to help you save money with your air conditioner.
By giving such granular control over your temperature, you can be a lot more discriminate with which rooms receive cooling and which ones don’t.
You can set it so that rooms that don’t see much use receive less cooling, thereby saving power.
And with its advanced sensors, your system will be able to automatically reduce the amount of cooling if it detects a room isn’t being used.
Best of all, it can be integrated into most modern air conditioning systems!
Need air conditioning in Brisbane?
Tri-Tech is the team to call!
Our mobile tech team perform all manner of air conditioning services, including upgrades. We provide high-quality air conditioning upgrades in Brisbane and south-east Queensland, ensuring enjoy year-round comfort for you, your family, and your clients.
We draw from a wide selection of quality brands and systems to help you stay comfortable – all without breaking the budget.
Whether you’re looking at getting MyAir installed at your home or simply want to bring your air conditioner out of the dark ages, we can help!
Tri the best today! Call Tri-Tech on (07) 3394 0222, or click here to get a FREE quote.
