
Get exclusive money-saving offers and guides
Straight to your inbox
26 November 2020, Sydney, Australia – Australians could save big on their aircon bill simply by adjusting the thermostat, new research by Finder, Australia's most visited comparison site reveals.
A new nationally representative Finder survey of 1,011 respondents revealed 63% use their aircon during the hotter months, at a combined cost of $1.9 billion.
The research found the average Aussie sets their thermostat to 22 degrees Celsius.
Yet if these Aussies were to increase their thermostat to the optimal temperature of 24 degrees Celsius instead, they could save a cumulative $486 million on summer cooling costs, or $76 per household.
Temperatures are set to soar in the few days leading up to summer, with some parts of the country expected to hit 50 degrees Celsius.
Graham Cooke, insights manager at Finder, said aircon costs can come as a surprise at the end of your billing period.
"Your aircon will keep you cool on a scorching day, but you may end up hot around the collar when your next energy bill arrives.
"Air conditioning units can churn through a lot of power, especially if you're using an older unit or one with a low energy star rating," Cooke said.
The research also found that of those who use air conditioning, 1 in 10 (10%) leave their unit running while they aren't at home.
This aircon wastage results in an additional loss of $22 million, across Australia.
New South Wales residents are the most prone to aircon wastage, keeping their unit running for 6.3 hours per week while they aren't at home, followed by Victorian residents at 5.6 hours per week.
Cooke said there are plenty of ways Aussies can keep cooling costs down.
"Try and keep your temperature settings at around 24 degrees on average – every degree lower can increase energy consumption by 10%.
"Getting smart is another great way to save. Infra-red controllers are available which can turn your aircon on as you approach your home, and off when you leave. This can help save hugely on running the AC when it's not required."
"You should only use aircon in the rooms you're actually occupying, like your home office. Keep doors, blinds and windows closed to trap cool air in.
"If you're still unsure as to why your power bill is so high, it might be a sign that it's time to switch to a cheaper energy provider.
"You can compare energy providers for free at Finder," Cooke said.
Methodology
How to stay cool without blowing the budget:
###
Disclaimer
The information in this release is accurate as of the date published, but rates, fees and other product features may have changed. Please see updated product information on finder.com.au's review pages for the current correct values.
About Finder
Every month 2.6 million unique visitors turn to Finder to save money and time, and to make important life choices. We compare virtually everything from credit cards, phone plans, health insurance, travel deals and much more.
Our free service is 100% independently-owned by three Australians: Fred Schebesta, Frank Restuccia and Jeremy Cabral. Since launching in 2006, Finder has helped Aussies find what they need from 1,800+ brands across 100+ categories.
We continue to expand and launch around the globe, and now have offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Poland and the Philippines. For further information visit www.finder.com.au.
12.6 million average unique monthly audience (June- September 2019), Nielsen Digital Panel