Air conditioning bills heating up: Aussies to spend $2bn this summer

• • • • Australians run their aircon for six hours a day on average over summer
      • Almost one third don't use air conditioning
      • Finder has created an aircon calculator to help Aussies save money on energy bills

3 February 2020, Sydney, Australia – Air conditioning costs Aussie households $2 billion over summer, according to Finder, Australia's most visited comparison site.

A survey of 1,013 Australians found 69% of Aussies – equivalent to 6.8 million households – rely on their aircon during the hotter months.

The research found the average household runs their air conditioner for six hours a day during the peak summer period, at a cost of around $8.41 a day.

Graham Cooke, energy expert at Finder, says this kind of aircon usage can be damaging to the environment and your hip pocket.

"Australia is facing its hottest summer on record with a number of heat waves hitting us early in the season. Don't let the balmy nights get the better of you. Keep your aircon usage in check if you don't want to end up with a hefty bill at the end of the summer.

"There are a number of things we can be doing to stay cool: air conditioners should only be switched on when it becomes unbearable without it," he said.

Nearly 600,000 households admit they keep their air conditioning running when they're not at home.

"If you're not at home, you don't need your aircon running. Aussies need to stop overindulging and expecting to walk into a icey cool room as soon as they get home," said Cooke.

The survey also found that the typical household runs their air conditioner at 22 degrees – three degrees below the optimum temperature of 25 degrees.

"The perfect temperature setting for your aircon is 24-25 degrees, anything cooler than that is unnecessary.

"Finder has recently launched a calculator to help households determine where they can cut their aircon spend. Whether it's cutting down your use or adjusting your temperature setting, check it out to see where you can save."

South Australians are the most reliant on aircon, with 83% switching on during the summer months compared to 68% of Queenslanders.

The survey shows almost one third of Australians (31%) don't use air conditioning.

Cooke said there are some simple tips for running the air conditioner for less.

"Every degree you increase the thermostat could shave 10% off your bill," he said.

"A fan is a much more cost friendly option, and if it's strategically placed to get a cross-flow it can be quite effective too.

How to cut down your electricity bill spend this summer

• Adjust your aircon habits. Whether it's using your aircon less frequently, or adjusting the setting to a more reasonable temperature, there are big savings to be made by taming your bad aircon habits. Check out Finder's aircon calculator to see where you can save money.
• Go easy on the appliances. That second fridge may have come in handy at Christmas but with silly season over it's time to ditch it. Likewise with your dryer, if the sun is shining you should be hanging your clothes outside.
• Consider switching. The best way to save money on your electricity bill is to switch. If you've been on the same plan for a while now it's likely that you'll find a cheaper deal, so jump online and compare your options.