Rising electricity prices in Australia have made all appliances more expensive to run. In the summer, air conditioners can add heavily to the family electricity bill if not used efficiently. Here are some top tips for greener, cheaper air conditioner use that will help put your mind at ease when the heat is on.

Insulate against heat

Insulation isn't just necessary to keep your home warm in winter; it also has the advantage of keeping it cool in summer. Double-glazed windows are a basic feature that can help keep cool air in. In order to work, of course, they need to be shut.

Harness solar power

If you're thinking about changing your existing air conditioner to a more economically-friendly model, or looking to install air con in your home for the first time, solar technology has made leaps and bounds that could make it the solution to your home's cooling needs. Installing solar panels to run the air conditioner, especially if you expect it to be running all summer long, will quickly pay off installation costs.

It's not just the cost that makes solar power the best option. Air conditioners are already far better for the environment than they were a few years back, thanks to the development of ozone-safe cooling agents. These replaced hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) in air conditioners, stopping their harmful effect on the ozone layer. However, air conditioners still need power to run, which of course comes from electricity produced by burning fossil fuels. Turning on an air conditioner minutely contributes to environmental damage that leads to climate change and more extreme temperatures. Avoid this ironic problem by installing solar panels.

Clean your filter

Window air conditioning units are especially prone to attracting dirt, which is caught in the filter. For a unit to give a peak performance, the filter should be cleaned. A monthly clean and a change of filter every 90 days will have a massive impact on how efficient, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly your air con is.

Choose the right unit for your house size

When installing an air conditioner, bigger isn't necessarily better. An air conditioner which is bigger than required for your home will eat up energy without making a difference to the temperature. A unit that is too small won't be as effective, and it is more likely to need replacing due to overuse. Consult with a professional from a company like Bell-Air Air Conditioning Pty Ltd to figure out which size unit is right for your home.

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