Tips For Making Your Aircon More Energy Efficient

An old and worn air conditioning unit in a cluttered garage.

Making your air conditioning unit more energy efficient is a wise choice for reducing those pesky energy bills, and it’s also kind to your equipment, helping it last longer. At Alfa Aircon, we’re well aware that even the smallest step towards better efficiency can lead to significant savings and a smaller carbon footprint—a goal that’s dear to all of us.

With over twenty years under our belts in the HVAC arena, our team, led by the innovative John Wong, has been at the forefront of developing advanced diagnostic technologies to improve service efficiency.

Our deep-seated expertise means you can trust that the tips we share are practical, tested, and straightforward to implement. Keep an eye out for insights that might change how you engage with air conditioning.

Key Takeaways

  • Install your aircon away from heat and sunlight to use less energy. Make sure it’s in the shade and keep windows covered to stop rooms from getting too hot.
  • Use ceiling fans with your air conditioner. This cuts down on cooling costs because fans help spread cool air around, so you don’t have to set the AC as low.
  • Keep furniture and other items away from vents for better airflow. This means your AC won’t have to work as hard, saving energy.
  • Turn off the AC when not needed and clean filters often. Setting up timers can also help manage its use more efficiently.
  • Choose an inverter model if buying a new air conditioner. They adjust power based on need, saving more electricity than standard types.

Correct Installation of Your Aircon

Two technicians installing an air conditioner in a residential setting.

We always stress the importance of having your air conditioner installed by experts. This is because a well-placed AC prevents leaks and reduces energy use. A unit that’s not level or secure can waste up to 30% more energy.

That’s why at Alfa Aircon, our trained professionals make sure your system is perfectly positioned away from heat sources like sunlight. They also check that everything is balanced and firmly fixed in place, ensuring efficiency and cutting down on electricity bills.

Avoid Direct Sunlight Exposure

A wall-mounted air conditioner unit positioned away from direct sunlight.

Sunlight can make our rooms hotter. This means the aircon has to work harder. Keep your AC away from sunlight to save energy. Use curtains or blinds in sunny windows. This simple step can cut cooling needs by up to 10%.

It makes a big difference in how much energy we use and helps keep bills low.

Our tip: move the aircon if it’s in direct sun or make sure sunlight doesn’t hit it directly through windows.

Keep the Outdoor Unit Shaded

A shaded outdoor aircon unit with clear open space for efficient airflow.

We make sure the outdoor unit of our aircon stays shaded. This simple step can boost its efficiency by as much as 10%. But, we don’t just throw a cover over it and call it a day. It’s crucial to give the machine at least 2 feet of open space all around.

This way, air flows freely, keeping everything working smoothly.

Blocking sunlight means the unit doesn’t have to work as hard. Plus, staying clear of bits and pieces like leaves ensures nothing blocks this smooth airflow. Such care cuts down possible efficiency losses to about 15%, making sure our cooling system runs better for longer without extra energy costs.

Rearrange Furniture for Better Airflow

We often place sofas, beds, and bookshelves without thinking about airflow. Blocked vents can make our air conditioners work harder. This means they use more energy. Moving furniture away from vents improves air movement.

It’s a simple change that can reduce energy use by 10%. Keep curtains and large items like wardrobes away from these areas too.

Ensuring nothing blocks the vents cut down on cooling costs by up to 25%. So, we check around the house. Are chairs or tables blocking the airflow? We move them. It helps our aircon spread cool air better across rooms.

This step makes our system efficient and saves money on bills.

Avoid Placing AC Near Other Appliances

Properly spaced air conditioner in home to prevent energy waste.

Keep your air conditioner away from kitchen devices and laundry machines. These items get hot and make the AC work harder. It’s best to have a three-foot gap between them. This stops the AC from using 10% more energy than needed.

Trust Alfa Aircon for efficient setups that avoid such issues, ensuring lower power use and better performance in keeping homes cool.

Utilise Ceiling Fans for Better Circulation

A ceiling fan and split air conditioner provide energy-efficient cooling.

We always recommend using ceiling fans with your air conditioning unit. This simple step can make the room feel cooler by 4°C. It means you won’t need to set the aircon as low. Ceiling fans use just 60 watts of energy, much less than an aircon’s 2,000 watts.

So, this combination can cut cooling costs by up to 15%. We see it work all the time at Alfa Airconditioning. It’s a smart way to get more from your HVAC system without spending too much. Ceiling fans help move cool air around faster and more evenly. This makes every corner of your room comfortable quickly. Our team at Alfa Airconditioning often pairs them with split air conditioners for better energy efficiency.

You’ll save on bills and enjoy a fresher indoor environment. Plus, keeping those filters clean boosts both systems’ performance even further.

Additional Tips for Aircon Energy Efficiency

For better aircon efficiency, small changes make a big difference. Keep your unit clean and check settings often—simple steps toward lower bills and comfy homes.

Gradually Adjust Temperature Settings

We always set our aircon to 24°C. This saves energy. A programmable thermostat can cut cooling costs by up to 10%. Starting with a low thermostat setting uses more energy. We avoid this mistake.

Our choice helps us use less power and keep our home comfortable.

Turn Off When Not in Use

We always make sure to turn off our air conditioning units when they’re not needed. It’s a simple step, yet it saves around $30 a year. By using timers, we set our systems to shut down automatically.

This means no energy is wasted cooling an empty room. Saving power and money becomes easy with this approach.

Timers are great tools for managing our ACs efficiently. They help us ensure that the system runs only when necessary. This way, we cut down on unnecessary energy use and keep costs low.

Our advice? Make use of these timers to control your air conditioning usage better and enjoy lower bills at the end of the month.

Clean Filters Regularly

We know that dirty filters can make our air conditioning systems work harder, using up to 15% more energy. That’s why we check our air filters every month and swap them out every three months.

This simple step keeps our units running smoothly and cuts down on energy use. It’s a quick task that makes a big difference in how efficiently our systems operate.

By keeping an eye on the air filters, we prevent dust and other particles from clogging up the system. This improves the air quality in our homes and ensures that our air conditioning units don’t have to overwork themselves.

Consistent maintenance like this helps us avoid bigger problems down the road and saves money on energy bills.

Conduct Routine Aircon Servicing

We always make sure our air conditioners get a check-up every year. This step is a must to keep them working well. Our team at Alfa Aircon takes care of the entire unit, even the parts outside.

By doing this regularly, we can improve how efficiently our aircon works by up to 15%. It’s best to schedule these service visits before it gets hot, so everything is ready when we need it most.

Our experts handle everything from cleaning filters to checking refrigerant levels and ensuring the circuit breakers are in good shape. This helps avoid common problems like short cycling and keeps unusual noises and a dirty filter from slowing down your system.

Choosing the Right Aircon Size and Type

Picking the right aircon size and model matters a lot. A too-small one won’t cool properly, and a big one uses more power. Think about an inverter type for efficiency. This choice can save money and keep you cool.

Ready to learn more? Keep reading!

Consider an Inverter Air Conditioner

Choosing an inverter air conditioner is a smart choice for energy saving. These units use advanced technology to adjust their power supply based on the room’s needs. This means they consume less electricity compared to traditional models.

With an inverter unit, your home becomes more energy-efficient.

A key fact: upgrading to an inverter model with a high National Environment Agency (NEA) rating can cut down electricity bills significantly. For example, switching from a 2-tick to a 5-tick aircon can save around $303 annually. It’s not just about cooling your space; it’s also making sure we do so economically and sustainably. Always opt for these energy savers—they make a huge difference in both comfort and cost.

Insulation and Sealing for Energy Efficiency

We always stress the importance of insulating windows and doors. This step keeps cool air from slipping out. It’s quite effective — can slash cooling costs by up to 20%. We also plug any cracks and gaps, ensuring not a whisper of air escapes.

Weather stripping around doors and windows is equally crucial for us. Each seal makes your aircon work less hard, saving energy.

Sealing homes properly boosts efficiency dramatically. Think about it: no unwanted drafts and no cooling loss equals lower bills for you. Our team at Alfa Aircon checks ductwork thoroughly as well.

Poorly connected or leaky ducts are common culprits behind wasted energy. Fixing these not only improves climate control but also prevents condenser coil strain, leading to a happier, healthier air conditioning system in your home.

Smart Ventilation and Sun Shading Techniques

We install smart ventilation systems to boost air movement in your home. These clever bits of tech help slash the need for aircon by up to 30%. It means fresher air and less energy used.

Sun shading tools like awnings or films cut down cooling costs too, by as much as 15%. We place these outside windows to block heat from coming in. This combo keeps homes cooler naturally, so your aircon doesn’t work as hard.

Saving energy and money gets easier with these smart actions.

Conclusion

Making your air conditioner work better saves energy and money. We’ve shown simple ways to increase efficiency, like proper setup and maintenance. Alfa Aircon specialises in this, helping clients cut costs significantly.

With our expert tips—using the right size AC, keeping filters clean, and more—you can enjoy cool air without high bills. Want a cooler home with lower expenses? Contact us at hello@alfraairconditioning.com for help.

FAQs

1. How can we clean our aircon’s evaporator coils to save energy?

We start by turning off the power, then gently remove dust and debris using a soft brush. For tougher grime, we apply a coil cleaner. Clean coils mean your aircon won’t work as hard, reducing energy use.

2. What’s the best way to deal with a dirty air filter in our aircon?

We simply replace or clean it monthly. A clean filter improves airflow and efficiency, cutting down on energy consumption significantly.

3. Can fixing a refrigerant leak in our aircon improve its energy efficiency?

Absolutely! We ensure the system has the correct amount of refrigerant; too little or too much affects performance and increases energy costs.

4. Why is it important for us to maintain regular maintenance on our central air conditioning system?

Regular checks prevent common problems like leaks or blockages that make the system run longer and use more energy than necessary.

5. How does installing a smart thermostat help us conserve energy with our air-conditioning unit?

A smart thermostat adjusts your home’s temperature based on your habits and preferences, ensuring we don’t waste cooling when not needed – this slashes our bills!

6. Should we consider upgrading to an HVAC unit with a higher SEER rating for better energy savings?

Definitely! Units with higher Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratings (SEER) are more efficient, meaning they cool better while using less electricity.

For expert advice on making your aircon more efficient and saving on those bills, contact Alfa Aircon at hello@alfraairconditioning.com today!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *