9 ways to cut your air conditioning running costs
A modern system is already cheap to run. These simple habits shave the bill even further.
Air conditioning doesn't have to be expensive — and a few good habits keep it that way. Here are nine that genuinely make a difference.
- Set a sensible temperature. Every degree lower in cooling mode uses noticeably more energy. Around 24°C is comfortable and economical; you don't need it arctic.
- Use the timer and scheduling. Cool the bedroom for an hour before bed rather than all evening. Most systems and apps let you schedule this.
- Only condition rooms you're using. The beauty of split systems is room-by-room control — use it.
- Keep filters clean. A clogged filter forces the unit to work harder. Rinse filters every few weeks in heavy use.
- Close windows and blinds. Keep the cool air in and the sun out; south-facing rooms benefit hugely from closed blinds.
- Use "eco" or inverter modes. These ramp the compressor smoothly instead of blasting full power, saving energy.
- Service it annually. A serviced system runs at peak efficiency; a neglected one quietly wastes money.
- Heat with it in winter. Using your AC's heat-pump mode for spot heating is often cheaper than plug-in heaters — make the most of the efficiency.
- Consider your tariff. If you have solar or a time-of-use tariff, run the system when electricity is cheapest.
The single biggest saving, though, happens before you ever switch it on: correct sizing. An oversized unit short-cycles and wastes energy for its whole life. We size systems to fit the room, not to upsell.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature should I set my air conditioning to?
Around 24°C for cooling and 20°C for heating is comfortable and efficient. Pushing to extremes dramatically increases running costs for little extra comfort.
Does turning AC off and on cost more than leaving it running?
For modern inverter systems, using timers and turning it off in empty rooms saves energy. Inverters reach temperature efficiently, so there's no benefit to leaving them running when you're out.
Thinking about air conditioning?
ClimaTight gives free, no-obligation quotes across Rochdale, Bury, Oldham, Heywood and Middleton.