How to Save Money on Air Conditioning Bills

Practical tips to reduce your air conditioning running costs without sacrificing comfort. Energy-saving strategies for Australian homes.

Home Services Team2025-01-155 min read


How to Save Money on Air Conditioning Bills

Air conditioning can account for 20-50% of household energy use in summer. Here's how to stay cool without the bill shock.

Temperature Settings

Every degree counts
Each degree cooler than 24°C can increase running costs by 5-10%.

Recommended settings:

  • Cooling: 24-26°C

  • Heating: 18-20°C

    • Use a programmable thermostat
    Set it to reduce cooling when you're asleep or away.

    Optimise Your Home

    Prevent heat entering


  • Close blinds and curtains during the hottest part of the day

  • Install external shade (awnings, pergolas)

  • Use window film on west-facing windows

  • Seal gaps around doors and windows

    • Improve insulation


  • Ceiling insulation makes the biggest difference

  • Consider wall insulation

  • Check for gaps in existing insulation

    • Natural cooling


  • Open windows at night when it's cooler

  • Use ceiling fans with air conditioning (allows higher thermostat setting)

  • Create cross-ventilation

    • Use Your Air Conditioner Efficiently

    Zone your cooling

  • Only cool rooms you're using

  • Close doors to unused rooms

  • Use zoning on ducted systems

    • Choose the right mode

  • Use 'Auto' mode for efficiency

  • Use 'Economy' or 'Eco' mode when available

  • Avoid 'Turbo' mode unless necessary

    • Regular maintenance

  • Clean filters monthly

  • Book annual service

  • A well-maintained unit is more efficient

    • Consider Your System

    Time for an upgrade?


    Older systems (10+ years) are much less efficient. A new inverter system can halve running costs.

    Right size matters


    An oversized unit cycles on/off frequently, wasting energy. Undersized units run constantly.

    Energy-Saving Habits

  • Run the dishwasher and dryer at night

  • Use exhaust fans when cooking

  • Dress appropriately for the season

  • Don't cool rooms you're not using

  • Turn off when leaving for extended periods

    • Calculate Your Savings

    Example:

  • Current setting: 21°C

  • New setting: 24°C

  • Potential saving: 15-30%

    • If your summer cooling costs $400:

  • Potential saving: $60-$120 per summer

Quick Wins

1. Clean filters today
2. Set thermostat to 24°C
3. Close blinds on hot days
4. Use ceiling fans
5. Only cool occupied rooms

Use our cost calculators to compare new system installation costs against your current running costs.