Simple air conditioning trick that could save thousands

The simple trick that could save you thousands while fighting the summer heat has been revealed – as well as the perfect temperature to set your air conditioning to.

Air conditioning has proved to be vital as Australia has endured a scorching start to summer with heatwaves making their way across the country.

But bad habits are adding a whopping $1.3billion a year to energy bills, according to research from finder.com.au.

Cutting down the use of air conditioners for just 30 minutes could save up to $72 over the three months of summer, while keeping the air conditioning running while not at home adds $578 to each quarterly energy bill.

The research shows Australians waste 244 minutes of energy a day leaving their air conditioning running when they’re not at home, costing $1.3billion in total.

Angus Kidman, energy expert at finder.com.au, said a full night’s sleep with the air con running can cost about $13, according to news.com.au.

The perfect temperature to set your air conditioning to has also been revealed.

The research shows Australians waste 244 minutes of energy a day leaving their air conditioning running, costing $1.3billion in total

Head of research at real estate firm Savills Australia Tony Crabb said air conditioners should be set at 25C in summer and 19C in winter

Head of research at real estate firm Savills Australia Tony Crabb said air conditioners should be set at 25C in summer and 19C in winter.

Sticking to those temperatures could save $100million and stop 300,000 tonnes of carbon being pumped into the atmosphere, according to Mr Crabb.

‘It turns out, that’s the thermal comfort level of a 44-year-old man. It was decided by the Americans in the 1950s, and it’s been that way ever since,’ he said.