Summer season and the infamous October heat means longer air conditioning usage. While this can make you feel cooler and more relaxed, it also means exorbitant electricity bills and higher carbon emissions. Reducing air conditioning bills, therefore, doesn’t only help save monthly costs but also reduces harmful greenhouse emissions. With global warming reaching its peak, it’s about time we all adopt an eco-friendlier lifestyle.
Try these clever and full proof tips to lead a more economical and greener life.
Keep Your Filter Clean
When is the last time you replaced your unit's air filter? If it's been a while, it can accumulate dust and dirt, reducing its airflow. Examine the unit's air filters once a month, and clean or replace filters when necessary. Keeping them clean can cut energy use by anywhere from five per cent to 15 per cent.
Cross Ventilate The Home
Open the windows in the mornings and evenings so as to ensure good cross-ventilation within the home. This is a great way to replace warm air from indoors and replace it with cool air from the outdoors. Make sure to close the windows when the sun is at its peak to prevent indoor heat gain.
Seal Your Windows for Air Leaks
Badly sealed windows leak air. Take a good look at the seals around these areas to see if weather seals needs to be applied. If not sealed properly, your air conditioning unit will have to work much harder to cool your room, and maintain the required temperature continuously. Sealing leaks or crevices prevents the cold air from seeping out of your windows.
Make Sure Your Air Conditioner Is the Right Size
The air conditioner’s appropriate sizing according to the area also plays an essential role in AC bills. A unit too small for a place would have to work harder, and a unit too big would use more energy than required to condition the room.
Reduce Heat Sources
While natural light is nice, in the scorching heat, the sun's rays can raise the temperature in your home. Close the blinds and drapes or invest in blackout curtains to reduce exterior heat.
Cooking, baking, or using other appliances can also raise the temperature inside, forcing your air conditioner to work harder, so limit those activities while the air conditioning is on.
Purchase Energy Efficiency Air Conditioners
Consider air conditioners with 5-star or 4-star ratings as they are energy efficient. Opt for split ACs with inverter technology, which adjusts the power consumption of the compressor when it is in use.
Switch Lights Off When Not Needed
Did you know that bulbs and electric light sources emit heat and contribute to warming up the home? This in-turn leads to longer AC hours. Remember to switch off all lights when not in use.
Paint Your Walls A Light Colour
Light colours reflect heat much better than darker colours, such as black. Lighter-coloured walls reflect the sun’s rays and heat, meaning that a house with a light-coloured wall is naturally cooler than a house with dark-coloured walls. So, less energy and money are spent on air conditioning to cool it. A roof that is a light colour or made of reflective material, under the same sunny conditions, helps the home stay more than 10 degrees Celsius cooler as compared to a darker colour, giving relief from both the heat and high energy bills.