Australia’s Air Conditioning usage statistics 2020

Updated Mar 18, 2021

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Do you leave the aircon on for your pet? Or do you keep it running to come back to a cool house? Poor aircon habits are not only hurting your hip-pocket but the environment too. By changing your thermostat to 25 degrees you could save on your summer bill.

Australia's Air Conditioning usage statistics
Paying energy bills is no walk in the park for the average Australian. But despite concerns about the rising cost of energy, millions of Australians are still indulging in bad aircon habits, and this can leave them with a hefty bill at the end of summer.
The aircon is on, but nobody's home
- Australians spend $3.6 billion per summer on air conditioning
- 1.7 million Aussies leave the air conditioner on when they're not home
How much are Aussies using?
- 63% of Aussies rely on their air conditioner throughout the summer months
- These Aussies keep their unit running for 6.3 hours per day on average
- Collectively, $97 million is spent on aircon wastage across Australia throughout summer
Which state is the most reliant on their aircon?
State Percentage of those who use air conditioning
SA 77%
VIC 62%
WA 73%
QLD 61%
NSW 60%
Which state is the most reliant on their aircon?
- South Australians are the most reliant on their aircon unit, with 77% switching it on over summer
- Just 60% of New South Wales residents use their aircon throughout the warmer months
At what temperature are Aussies running their aircon?
- 22.2 degrees
- This is 2.8 degrees less than the optimal temperature of 25
How to save on cooling costs
Run your aircon economically
25 degrees is the optimal setting for cooling. You can save on your summer bill by adjusting your aircon to this temperature.
Keep the sun out
Your windows don't block out the sun's UV rays. If you want to stay cool make sure to keep your blinds and curtains closed to keep the sunlight out. As soon as the sun sets and the temperatures start to drop, open up your house to let the cooler air in.
Use a fan instead
Fans do an excellent job at cooling down a room if used strategically. Place your fan in front of an open window during the evening to suck the cool air in and if you can, try to create a cross-breeze by opening another window or door on the opposite side of the room.
Take a cold shower
Jumping in the shower is a great way to cool down instantly. Try and wet your hair, that way you'll stay cooler for longer.

State	Percentage of those who use air conditioning
SA	77%
VIC	62%
WA	73%
QLD	61%
NSW	60%

Picture: GettyImages

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Anneka Diaz

Anneka Diaz is the PR specialist at Finder. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Communications) from The University of Technology Sydney. She has written about personal finance for the last three years and has her roots in the tech and telco space. More recently she has written about a broader range of topics including energy, credit cards and travel insurance. When Anneka isn't busy trying to help Aussies save money you'll find her scouring the Internet for cheap flights and daydreaming about her next holiday adventure.

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