Here are some tips on how to reduce your electricity bill this winter while still using your air conditioner in Australia.  

  

It’s hard to beat a warm home in the winter. When it starts to get cold outside, it is time to think about how to keep your home warm. Heating our homes is becoming an expensive luxury that many struggle to afford. Therefore, it is important to find the most efficient way to heat our homes.  

Heating is one of the largest energy costs in a home. It can also be a waste of money if the house isn’t well insulated or draught-proof. The best way to reduce your energy bills is to tackle your heating costs. 

It is possible to save money on heating costs and not be cold during the winter. There are several things you can do to cut down on the amount of heating used by your household, improve efficiency, and save money. It’s helpful to know what your heating costs are per month to reduce your bills. 

  

Understand your Energy Use 

  

Before we move on to the tips, let’s first understand where the average Australian house consumes the most energy. 

Here’s a breakdown: 

• Heating and cooling: 40% 
• Equipment and appliances, including refrigeration and cooking: 33%
• Water heating: 21% 
• Lighting: 6% 

Why is my Heating Bill so High in Winter? 

  

Heating bills can be affected by your home’s condition, your HVAC system, furnace, or lifestyle.   

Your heating approach could be causing you to use more energy than necessary. If you set your thermostat to “set it and forget it,” your home may be heating up when nobody is there or is asleep. You might also want to keep your home warmer than average if your family prefers to wear short sleeves around the house. This could lead to higher heating bills.   

Your heating bill could also be affected by the state of your house. Heat loss can occur if your home lacks insulation. This is also true if your windows and doors are not properly sealed, or if air leaks exist around your fireplace or power outlets. 

It is important to have a plan in place to reduce heating costs. 

  

Common Heat Loss Areas in a House 

  

Knowing how to spot heat loss and prevent it from happening in your home can help you reduce your heating bills. Warm air can leak out of cracks and crevices in your home if it isn’t airtight. Sometimes, cold outside air can get in through cracks or crevices.  

These are some of the most vulnerable areas to heat loss in your home: 

• Windows 
• Fireplaces 
• Walls 
• Doors 
• Roof 
• Power Outlets 

  

Winter Energy Savings Tips 

  

It is easy to create a plan for saving energy in winter. It is possible to save even small amounts of energy by changing the way that you heat your home. Follow these helpful tips: 

  

Lower Your Thermostat 

  

The Australian Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources suggests that heating thermostats and reverse-cycle units should reach temperatures of between 18 and 20 degrees in winter. The report also stated that you can expect your energy costs to increase by up to 10% for every additional degree. 

  

Make the Most of the Sun  

 

While the sun might be less visible in winter, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t benefit from its heat. If the sun is shining, you can open your curtains to warm the room. To trap heat inside the house at night, close the blinds and curtains. To add insulation to your windows and doors, you might consider installing blackout curtains or thermal-insulated curtains. 

  

Clean your Filters  

  

Your Brisbane air conditioning system filter plays a significant role in the unit’s overall performance, as they are designed to trap dust and other microbes. To ensure maximum efficiency and performance, they should be cleaned according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Filters that are dirty can decrease airflow, which in turn reduces the unit’s effectiveness at heating the room. Your Australian air conditioner’s cleanliness will help reduce the chance of it becoming clogged with dust and mould.  

  

Look at the Energy Ratings 

  

To find out more about the energy consumption of your unit, look for the “Energy Rating Label.” You will find a heating and cooling label to help you compare energy efficiency between similar-sized models. The label will have stars to indicate how much electricity you can save. The power input indicates how much power the unit requires to run, and the capacity output shows how much cooling or heating the unit can provide. 

If you don’t have an energy label for products like ducted units, make sure to check the EER (energy efficiency ratio) and COP (coefficients of performance) on the AC system. The EER refers to cooling efficiency, while the COP is for heating. Higher numbers are better. However, it is important to compare models with similar capacities. The government website www.energyrating.gov.au has a helpful tool that estimates power usage. The IACS team can help you choose the right model for your needs. 

Tip: If two AC units have the exact same capacity output rating, it is better to choose one with a lower power input. This will make the unit more efficient. 

  

Keep Windows and Doors Closed 

  

Your Brisbane air conditioner system’s efficiency can be affected by cold temperatures entering your home. It will need to work harder to heat the lower temperatures. It is important to ensure that all windows are closed and there are no openings for cold air to enter your home. We also recommend using draught stoppers and weather strips for under doors. Blinds and curtains can be used to provide insulation and keep the heat inside the room. If the air conditioner in Australia is not heating, make sure that doors are closed. This will cause the unit to work harder and take longer to heat the space. 

  

Replace your Old Unit 

  

If you own an older, less efficient model, you may want to consider upgrading to a newer, more efficient model. Our new systems have the most up-to-date inverter technology available. This allows for precise temperature control and lower energy usage than conventional units. 

  

Save Year-Round on your Energy Bill 

  

Energy savings are not just for winter. These tips can save you money throughout the year. Although you don’t want to wear a heavy sweater when it is hot outside, smart thermostats, air stripping, and insulated curtains work well in summer. These methods are equally effective in keeping your home cool during the summer and warm during the winter. It is smart to save energy in winter for all year-round savings. 

  

Contact the Experts for Brisbane Air Conditioning Service Needs 

  

Contact IACS today to ensure your home’s heating system is energy efficient. We are Brisbane’s air conditioning service leaders and are here to help.