Lower your power bill: Smart tips for aircon efficiency

It’s easy to love the cool blast of aircon on a hot afternoon. What’s not so easy is opening your electricity bill and seeing the damage. If your air conditioner is running most days, there’s a good chance it’s also the reason your power costs are creeping higher than they should be.

But here’s the good news: you don’t need to give up comfort to cut back on costs. Most households can reduce their cooling expenses just by running things a little differently. No need for fancy upgrades or extreme habits—just small changes that add up.

Let’s break down the smartest ways to cool your home without burning through cash.

Setting your aircon to 18 degrees won’t cool your home any faster—it just makes the unit work harder and longer. According to Metropolitan Air Conditioning, the ideal temperature is around 24 to 26°C. Each degree below that can bump your running costs by roughly 10%.

And once you set it, leave it. Constantly fiddling with the thermostat confuses the system and wastes energy. Think steady and sensible, not icy and expensive.

This might sound obvious, but many people forget: aircon works best in sealed spaces. Shut your doors. Close the windows. Block the gaps under doorways. A rolled-up towel works fine if you don’t have a door snake.

Don’t forget the blinds and curtains either. During the hottest part of the day, keep them closed—especially on north or west-facing windows. If the sun’s heating your floors and furniture, your aircon has to cool that too.

Air movement makes all the difference. Even if the temperature stays the same, a ceiling or pedestal fan can make the room feel cooler by a couple of degrees.
Use fans with your aircon, not instead of it. That way, you can raise the thermostat a notch or two while still feeling cool. Running a fan costs peanuts compared to a split system.

If you can’t remember the last time you cleaned your filters, they’re overdue. Dirty filters restrict airflow, which means your unit has to work overtime to do the same job.

Ideally, clean them every couple of months—or monthly if you’re running the system daily or have pets. And don’t forget the outdoor unit. Clear away cobwebs, leaves, and dust so it can breathe properly.

If your unit is over 10 years old, you’re probably missing out on serious energy savings. Inverter-style aircons are far more efficient, quieter, and often feature useful extras like timers or zoning.

According to energy.gov.au, modern reverse-cycle air conditioners can transfer between three to six times more cooling energy than the electricity they consume. That level of efficiency can make a significant dent in your running costs, especially over a full summer season.

If no one’s in the room, there’s no need to keep it chilled. If your system has zoning, use it. If not, close the doors to unused rooms so you’re not cooling dead air.

Same goes for when you’re heading out. If the house is empty, turn it off. Or use a timer to kick it 20 minutes before you return. Smart controls help here, but even an old-fashioned wall timer can do the trick.

Everything from cooking to laundry can heat up your home. Avoid using the oven in the middle of the day. Try barbecuing outside, or stick to stovetop and microwave meals that don’t pump out heat.

Running the clothes dryer? Try to wait until evening. Even better, use a clothes rack or outdoor line if the weather’s right.

Every little bit helps. The less heat you generate indoors, the less you’ll need to cool it down again.

If the evening brings cooler temperatures, use that to your advantage. Open up windows and let the fresh air flow through. Then, in the morning, shut things tight to trap the cool air inside.

It sounds simple, but it can delay the need for aircon by hours the next day—especially if you pair it with shaded windows and light-coloured curtains.

Some electricity providers charge more during peak hours. If your plan works this way, shift your cooling habits to off-peak times. Pre-cool the house earlier in the day, then maintain the temperature with fans or a higher setting later on.

Smart meters or apps can help track usage patterns. Once you see where the spikes are, you can start making smarter choices.

Even the best aircon system can’t do its job if it’s running on worn-out parts or low refrigerant. A professional service once a year keeps everything running smoothly—and helps you catch issues before they turn into expensive repairs.

Think of it like servicing your car: routine maintenance now can save you a lot down the road.

There’s no need to suffer through the heat to save a few dollars. But there’s also no need to let your aircon run wild all day and night.

Efficiency isn’t about cutting corners. It’s about using what you’ve got in a smarter way. Seal off unused spaces, clean the filters, add a fan, and avoid pushing the thermostat too low. Most importantly, pay attention—small tweaks can lead to real savings over time.

And when the next bill arrives? You might finally feel a little more chill.