BEAT THE HEAT AND SAVE ON POWER BILLS
Staying cool and comfortable this summer doesn’t have to cost the earth, according to EnergyAustralia.
EnergyAustralia’s Energy Efficiency Expert Paul Myors said homeowners could keep the temperature and their post-summer power bills at bay with just a few simple steps.
“We know that almost 90 per cent of homeowners over-cool their homes during summer,” Mr Myors said.
“For the days you do want to use your air conditioner set it between 23 and 26 degrees for the most efficient results.
EnergyAustralia’s Energy Efficiency Expert Paul Myors said homeowners could keep the temperature and their post-summer power bills at bay with just a few simple steps.
“We know that almost 90 per cent of homeowners over-cool their homes during summer,” Mr Myors said.
“For the days you do want to use your air conditioner set it between 23 and 26 degrees for the most efficient results.
But,
remember that fans should always be your first port of call for cooling efficiently.
“Fans cost about $4 a year to run, while air conditioners can cost more than $200 a year. Ceiling fans cost about the same as a light bulb to run and if you can keep the heat out of the house in the first place, that’s even better.”
“A lot of heat is gained from direct sun on windows, especially those facing west, so shading them with external blinds or trees can be an effective way to keep your house cooler and more comfortable,” Mr Myors said.
“External shades are more effective at keeping the heat out than internal blinds or curtains. Each square metre of direct sun on or through windows can be like running a one bar radiator in your home.
“Staying cool over summer does not have to be expensive. In fact, a four person household can cut up to 10 percent off their electricity bill and up to one tonne of CO2 from its household emissions, just by being more efficient with heating and cooling.”
“By planning ahead and looking at a range of cooling options you can make sure the temperature inside your home remains
comfortable, while reducing your greenhouse emissions and avoiding the post-summer power bill spike,” Mr Myors said.
For more energy efficiency advice visit www.energy.com.au/efficiency
EnergyAustralia’s top tips to stay cool this summer:
• Keep out of the heat: Shading your home with external blinds, well placed trees, vines and pergolas will help stop the sun heating your home and keep the temperature down on the inside.
• Become a fan of the fan: Pedestal and ceiling fans are cheap to run and will keep you cool.
• Catch the breeze: If the breeze is blowing leave the security grilles closed and open doors, windows and louvres on opposite sides of your home to take advantage of nature’s air conditioning.
• Insulate the ceiling: Ceiling insulation can reduce indoor temperatures by as much as 10 degrees in summer and cut your cooling costs by up to 40 per cent.
• Run air-conditioning efficiently: Set the air-conditioner between 23 and 26 degrees. Put it on the ‘recirculate’ setting and close the doors and windows in the area you are cooling.
“Fans cost about $4 a year to run, while air conditioners can cost more than $200 a year. Ceiling fans cost about the same as a light bulb to run and if you can keep the heat out of the house in the first place, that’s even better.”
“A lot of heat is gained from direct sun on windows, especially those facing west, so shading them with external blinds or trees can be an effective way to keep your house cooler and more comfortable,” Mr Myors said.
“External shades are more effective at keeping the heat out than internal blinds or curtains. Each square metre of direct sun on or through windows can be like running a one bar radiator in your home.
“Staying cool over summer does not have to be expensive. In fact, a four person household can cut up to 10 percent off their electricity bill and up to one tonne of CO2 from its household emissions, just by being more efficient with heating and cooling.”
“By planning ahead and looking at a range of cooling options you can make sure the temperature inside your home remains
comfortable, while reducing your greenhouse emissions and avoiding the post-summer power bill spike,” Mr Myors said.
For more energy efficiency advice visit www.energy.com.au/efficiency
EnergyAustralia’s top tips to stay cool this summer:
• Keep out of the heat: Shading your home with external blinds, well placed trees, vines and pergolas will help stop the sun heating your home and keep the temperature down on the inside.
• Become a fan of the fan: Pedestal and ceiling fans are cheap to run and will keep you cool.
• Catch the breeze: If the breeze is blowing leave the security grilles closed and open doors, windows and louvres on opposite sides of your home to take advantage of nature’s air conditioning.
• Insulate the ceiling: Ceiling insulation can reduce indoor temperatures by as much as 10 degrees in summer and cut your cooling costs by up to 40 per cent.
• Run air-conditioning efficiently: Set the air-conditioner between 23 and 26 degrees. Put it on the ‘recirculate’ setting and close the doors and windows in the area you are cooling.
