Jan 19, 2025
Money-saving tips for heating with A/C
With winter's chill well and truly here, a lot of households are reliant on air conditioning units to provide heat in their home. According to Panasonic, January is the month where people use heating the most, but A/C units can be a massive money suck if you're not maintaining them properly. I thought the press release they put out had some interesting points, so here are some of them if you don't want to read the entire thing.
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The importance of regular cleaning to reduce costs
Dust and debris can clog A/C filters, which causes them to work harder and consume more electricity. The press release mentioned that dirty filters can increase energy consumption by up to a whopping 25% during the heating season. Additionally, Panasonic found that 19% of users have never cleaned their air conditioner filter (yikes!) and 40% said it had been longer than three months since they last checked them. By cleaning your filter regularly, you can reduce electricity consumption and prevent unnecessary strain on the A/C units in your home.
Be mindful of the temps you set
The article mentioned that lowering the heating temperature by just 1 degree Celsius can reduce electricity consumption by about 10%. I feel like that's an easily manageable way to cut costs, at least in my household!
Obvious, but overlooked - do you really need to switch it on?
Depending on how cold the day is, it's always worth considering whether or not you really need to switch on the A/C. I feel like when I was a kid I was always told to put on more clothing/socks/etc. if I said I was cold, and I think going back to that mindset can be useful. Our house isn't very well insulated, but typically if I dress appropriately inside it's manageable.
Check outside, not just inside
I feel like at my house, anyway, we focus on cleaning the A/C filters indoors but haven't really checked the outside much (if at all). Panasonic mentioned that the outdoor accumulation of dust, leaves, or snow can obstruct an A/C's airflow, making the unit work harder and increasing energy usage. I'll need to check on that soon!
The A/C unit's age plays a factor
This was another piece of info that was pretty new to me. Even though regular maintenance can extend the life of your air conditioner, there comes a point when replacement can be more cost-effective according to Panasonic. After 10 years, air conditioners can start losing refrigerant, which is needed for both heating and cooling. When your air conditioner begins showing signs of inefficiency (for example, inconsistent heating or cooling) or if it's pushing the 10 year range, it may be time to consider replacing it.
Obviously that can be an upfront cost to baulk at, but newer A/C models are more energy-efficient than older ones, with improvements said to reduce energy consumption by up to 15%.
Do you have any idea how old your A/C unit(s) are at your home? Are you a pro at keeping them clean/maintained, or has it been a while since you last checked yours?
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