What is the cost of running aircon?
This Summer, more of us will be spending time in our houses either working or socialising, so as the temperature begins to rise, you may be thinking about the cost of running aircon. According to ABS the majority of Aussie homes have used aircon to cool their homes since 1994. Having aircon at home is a rite of passage for many of us. But have you ever wondered how it impacts your electricity bill? Read on to learn about:
- How to measure the costs of running your aircon unit
- Which type of aircon unit you have (if you don't already know)
- How you can save on your energy bill starting this summer
How do I calculate the cost of running my aircon unit?
To calculate the cost of running your aircon unit you’ll need to know the power input of the unit. Many renters and home-owners don’t get the details of the types of appliances they have in their home. If this is you, scroll down to “How can I tell which aircon model I have?” before continuing.
Once you have the power input of the unit, use this formula to find out how much it costs to run your aircon unit:
kW (power input) x price/ hour (based on electricity provider) =cost to run per hour (price/ kWh)
Price/ kWh x number of hours used in a day = daily cost
Daily price x 30 days = monthly cost
For example, running an aircon with a 1.93kW capacity at a rate of 20.57 c/kWh, the current rate of our Nectr Friends Clean plan in the Ausgrid network, will cost:
1.93 kW x 20.57 c/kWh = 39.7c/hour
39.7c /hour x 6 hours = $2.38/day
$2.38/day x 30 days/month = $71.46/month
This is a rough calculation. Many other factors will influence the cost of running your aircon unit:
- Do you have a full power or economy unit?
- Did you turn your aircon on when it's already hot outside? (Turning on the aircon when it's still cool out can run it at only around 40-70% capacity all day)
- What temperature do you set the aircon to?
Pro tip: setting your temperature a few degrees higher in summer can save you over $30/month!*
*Based on 7.1kW unit set to 21 degrees Celsius for 8hrs /day.
No matter whether you choose 100% carbon neutral or 100% GreenPower - as standard, you are choosing a cleaner energy future with Nectr.
How can I tell which aircon model I have?
Head outside and find a sticker on the outer part of your unit. It should look something like this:
Majority of renters and owners are in the dark about energy ratings in their new homes. If this is you, here's how to find out the model and power input of aircon.
This is a data sticker. At the top of every sticker, you should have a m/n number or model number. When you google the model in the above example you can see that it is a Daikin Cora FTXM71Q 7.1kW Wall Split System. Check the Specifications on Google to find the Power Input.
Do I need to upgrade my aircon unit?
A new appliance will almost always save you money on your electricity bill. If your aircon unit is experiencing these signs, it might be time for an upgrade:
- Your unit is leaking
- Your unit short cycles and turns off on its own
- Your unit has diminished airflow
- It’s inconsistent to the temperature which you have set it to
Nectr is focused on technology as the key to bringing this all together for its customers.
To calculate the cost of running your aircon unit you’ll need to know the power input of the unit. Many renters and home-owners don’t get the details of the types of appliances they have in their home. If this is you, scroll down to “How can I tell which aircon model I have?” before continuing.
