Top HVAC Industry Trends to Watch in 2025
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Air conditioning is essential for staying cool during the sweltering Australian summer, but it can also be a significant contributor to household energy bills. In fact, air conditioning can account for up to 50% of a typical Australian home’s summer energy costs. With energy prices rising, it’s more important than ever to find ways to keep your home cool without skyrocketing your bills. Fortunately, there are simple yet effective strategies that can help you maximise your air conditioner’s efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and save money.
In this article, we’ll explore the top five energy-saving tips that can help you stay comfortable during summer while keeping your energy use under control.
Keeping your air conditioning system in top working order is crucial for both performance and efficiency. Regular maintenance can reduce your system’s energy consumption by up to 15%. A well-maintained air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard to cool your home, which means it uses less power. This means that you should invest on a professional air conditioning servicing to maintain your AC in good condition.
Over time, dust and dirt accumulate on the filters and coils inside your air conditioner. This buildup restricts airflow, forcing the system to use more energy to circulate cool air. By simply cleaning or replacing the air filters every 1–3 months, you can keep your system running efficiently. Clean filters allow for better airflow, resulting in quicker cooling and lower energy usage.
Beyond cleaning the filters, it’s important to schedule professional servicing at least once a year. An experienced technician can check refrigerant levels, inspect and clean coils, and ensure that the system is running at optimal efficiency. They will also look for potential issues, such as leaks or failing parts, which can cause the unit to overwork and waste energy.
Actionable Tip: Schedule a professional service before the summer season to ensure your air conditioner is in peak condition for the hottest months of the year.
Another effective way to reduce air conditioning energy usage is by installing a programmable or smart thermostat. These devices allow you to automatically adjust the temperature based on your schedule, preventing unnecessary energy use when no one is home.
A programmable thermostat can be set to raise the temperature when you’re out of the house and lower it before you return, ensuring you come home to a cool environment without wasting energy all day. In comparison, leaving the air conditioner running at a low temperature all day can result in significant energy waste.
Smart thermostats go one step further by learning your habits and adjusting the temperature automatically based on your lifestyle. Many smart models also offer remote control via smartphone apps, so you can make temperature changes even when you’re not at home.
Actionable Tip: To save energy, set your thermostat to 24–26°C when you’re at home and increase it by a few degrees when you’re away. Every degree you raise the thermostat can save around 10% on cooling costs.
One of the easiest ways to improve your air conditioner’s efficiency is to ensure that your home is properly sealed and insulated. When cool air escapes through gaps and cracks, your air conditioner has to work much harder to maintain the desired temperature.
Common areas for air leaks include windows, doors, and ductwork. Even small gaps around window frames and doorways can allow a surprising amount of cool air to escape. Sealing these gaps with weatherstripping or caulk can greatly reduce the load on your air conditioner.
Insulation is another critical factor in maintaining indoor temperature. Proper roof and wall insulation can prevent heat from entering your home, keeping it cooler and reducing the need for constant air conditioning. In the harsh Australian climate, especially in warmer regions, proper insulation can be the difference between a comfortable, energy-efficient home and one that struggles to stay cool.
Actionable Tip: Check your home for drafts, and install weatherstripping around doors and windows. Also, consider upgrading your insulation, especially if your home is older or poorly insulated.
While air conditioners cool the air, fans can help circulate it more effectively. Using fans in conjunction with your air conditioner allows you to set your thermostat higher without sacrificing comfort, which in turn saves energy.
Fans create a cooling effect by improving airflow, helping you feel cooler even when the temperature is a few degrees higher. Ceiling fans, in particular, can enhance the overall cooling effect of your air conditioner. When running your air conditioner, set ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise in summer, which will push cool air downwards.
Remember that fans cool people, not rooms. Turn them off when you leave the room to avoid wasting electricity. By using fans to circulate cool air, you can comfortably set your thermostat a few degrees higher, saving on energy costs.
Actionable Tip: Use ceiling fans along with your air conditioner, setting the thermostat a few degrees higher than normal. You’ll save on energy while still feeling comfortable.
If your air conditioner is more than 10 years old, it may be time for an upgrade. Older units are often less efficient, consuming more power to provide the same level of cooling as newer, energy-efficient models.
Newer air conditioning units have higher Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) ratings, meaning they use less energy to cool the same amount of space. In Australia, air conditioners with a 4-star energy rating or above are considered highly efficient and can reduce your energy consumption by up to 40% compared to older models.
Inverter air conditioners are particularly energy-efficient because they adjust the speed of the compressor based on the cooling needs of the room. This prevents the unit from constantly turning on and off, which is typical in non-inverter systems and consumes more energy.
Actionable Tip: If your system is outdated or inefficient, consider upgrading to an ENERGY STAR-rated unit or an inverter system to lower long-term energy consumption and reduce your energy bills.
By implementing these five energy-saving tips, you can significantly reduce your air conditioning energy consumption while staying comfortable during the hot Australian summer. Regular maintenance, smart thermostat usage, proper insulation, optimising fan use, and upgrading to an energy-efficient system are all practical steps that can lead to considerable savings.
At Pacific Air & Electrical, we specialise in providing energy-efficient solutions that help our customers stay cool while cutting down on energy costs. If you need help with air conditioning installation, maintenance, upgrading your system, or advice on how to make your home more energy-efficient, feel free to reach out to our expert team.
By following these strategies, not only will you reduce your household energy costs, but you’ll also contribute to a more sustainable environment. Start with one or two of these changes today, and you’ll notice the difference when your next energy bill arrives!
0410 309 040
support@pacificairandelectrical.com.au
833 The Entrance Rd, Wamberal NSW 2260 Australia