Posted on: November 2, 2020
In the sunny island Singapore temperatures that can easily soar to the mid-30s degrees Celsius getting back to a cool air-conditioned home after being in the heat is truly a luxury.
But this means the air conditioner will be working vigorously all year round and the air conditioning bill could increase together with the heat!
Here are some very simple and effective tips to reduce your air conditioning bill and keep a comfortable indoor environment.
1. Setting the temperature
When it comes to energy consumption and reducing your air conditioning bill every degree will play apart.
One of the most energy-efficient thing you can do is set your controllers at a comfortable temperature that won’t make your unit work too hard. As a guide, between 22 and 25 degrees Celsius is where you should set the controller at.
Every single degree of cooling you can do without, you’re saving on your energy bill. Even setting your air conditioning unit one degree warmer than you normally world can cut costs by up to 10%. Try not to set the controller-less than 10 to 8 degrees below the outdoor temperature (so if it’s 33 outside, aim for 23 to 25 degrees Celsius inside).
2. Timers – save while you sleep
This money-saving tip is really simple. To really help reduce your energy bill, consider setting the timer, so you’re not only setting the temperature, but setting the operating hours of your air-conditioner. By turning off the air-conditioner an hour or two before your alarm rings can help you save on the air-conditioning bill as well.
3. Keep cool and block out the Sun
By closing windows, blinds, or curtains you’ll be keeping the hot air and the sun’s rays out, so your air conditioning doesn’t have to run all the time to maintain the optimal temperature. Heat absorption can be drastically reduced if your windows have a strong line of defence. Even tinted windows can stop some of the sun’s heat coming into your air-conditioned room, and the air-con unit won’t have to work so hard. For sun-facing windows, white / light-coloured backings for blinds and curtains will help deflect sun heat too.
4. Turn off those heat-generating household appliances
The TV, the PC, the lamp in the corner, the kitchen oven… all of these household appliances generate heat and the air conditioner will need to work harder to keep the temperature under control. Turn them off and you’ll save money on your air conditioning energy consumption straight away!
5. Keeping it clean to keep costs down
Ensure your air conditioning unit is regularly maintained and that the filter is clean to maintain optimum efficiency. A dirty filter makes any air conditioning unit work harder, meaning more electricity and higher energy costs!