As the tropical heat of Singapore continues to challenge our daily comfort, air-conditioning has become more of a necessity than a luxury.
However, the soaring energy bills that accompany constant usage can be a rude awakening. And that’s why I’m here to help you strike a balance between staying cool and keeping costs down. Or at least try to offer my two cents.
Let’s discuss some practical tips and smart habits that can significantly reduce air-conditioning bills, ensuring you enjoy a cool and comfortable living space without breaking the bank.
Maintain your air-conditioner
First up on our simple hacks list is the need to maintain your air-con properly and regularly.
Even if it’s a tedious process, it’s one that you should not siam.
Clean and replace filters where necessary (depending on usage), and service the unit via a professional to make sure it’s running smoothly.
This will ensure that you use less energy and cool down your room/home faster.
Opt for energy-efficient models
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, just remember—the more ticks, the better it is.
You should be able to find better energy-efficiency products with ease thanks to the tick rating system we have in Singapore.
In other words, if an appliance uses less energy to produce the same results as an appliance that uses more, it is said to be more energy efficient.
And that will have a direct impact on how much you pay for electricity at the end of the month.
It’s almost a no-brainer, right?
So don’t just be a cheapo and go for the lowest-priced one, be a smart shopper for longer-term gains.
Set the right temperature
Image Credits: luceaircon.sg
There’s no need to make your room feel like it’s winter in Antarctica, yeah.
The sweet spot should be around 24 to 25°C. Any lower than that and your bill will skyrocket like… a rocket. Every degree lower can add up to 10% more energy consumption.
Use a fan
If you really cannot tahan the heat without lowering the temperature, try using a fan to supplement. Or even better, use a ceiling fan.
Turning on the fan and the air-con together can help you set the aircon temperature higher. The fan will help to circulate the cool air and make you feel much better.
You don’t need to worry too much about the electricity bill because a fan uses waaay much less energy than the aircon. So, you can enjoy the cool air and save money at the same time.
How awesome is that?
Use a timer
Next, set the timer to turn off after a few hours, especially at night when you’re in deep slumber.
Some people like to leave the aircon on an entire day, and then wear a jacket or wrap themselves in a thick blanket because it’s too cold.
Why?!
You’re just saboing yourself financially.
Insulate your home
Image Credits: softhome.sg
You don’t need to hire someone to do it.
Just invest in some curtains, blinds, or window films. Block out the sun during the day, keep your home cooler, and reduce the need for air-conditioning at night.
And speaking of which, remember to also close your windows and doors. If your air-conditioner is turned on with an open window, you can’t blame anyone for those high bills.
Dress for the weather
People can die for fashion but I won’t sacrifice it for comfort.
I’m saying this because I used to have a friend who layers like he was going to the North Pole or what. He calls it the “layering fashion” and thinks it’s cool. Oh, well.
Anyhow, don’t be like him.
Choose lightweight items of clothing, like cotton or linen. They can help you stay cool and thus reduce the need to rely too much on your air-conditioning when you reach home from a warm day out.
Minimize heat-producing activities
When you cook or use appliances like an iron or a hair dryer, it makes your surrounding area hotter than your spouse’s temper.
The air-con works harder to cool down your house, so your bill goes up.
If feasible, turn on the air-conditioner after you’re done with all those appliances. It may sound like a “sis, you serious?!” moment but, hey, every little bit counts.
Install energy-efficient lighting
Those old-school bulbs are damn hot and can make your room feel even hotter than the weather outside.
But if you use LED bulbs, they generate less heat, and less power is needed also. Good, right?
Plus, LED bulbs can last longer, so you don’t need to keep changing them all the time.
Soaring air-con bills in Singapore really can make you want to pengsan. But don’t worry, follow the tips I’ve listed in this post to help you get by like a pro. To recap some points we’ve looked at: clean your aircon regularly. If there’s dust and dirt, the air-con must work harder to cool the room. Next, use a fan together with the air-conditioning. Not only will you be saving energy, but you will also instantly make the room feel cooler with the constant air circulation. Then, set the temperature to 25 degrees—no need to make the room feel like it’s winter. So there we have it, simple hacks for long-term gain 😉