Free Energy Assessments
We can help you save costs on your energy bill over the next 12 months by having a free energy assessment done on your air conditioning units. Energy costs in Auckland for example have risen by 8% over the past 18 months and air conditioning units if not maintained for optimum efficiency can mean:
- Higher energy bills;
- Increased sick days for staff due to poor or no maintenance on air conditioning and fresh air systems;
- Reduced staff productivity, optimizing mistakes in the work place.
If you would like a free energy audit on your business today please contact us
Air Conditioning Energy Saving Tips
A few tips to help reduce energy use during the hot summer months
Reducing Summer Power Bills Without Spending Money
A key to reducing air conditioning costs during hot summer days is to limit the amount of heat generated within the home or apartment during the afternoon, when temperatures are at their highest.
- Keep lights off when rooms are not in use. Lights generate heat that makes your air conditioner run more.
- Use awnings, curtains, or blinds to keep out direct sunlight. This will keep your house cooler.
- Eliminate activities in the afternoon that require a great deal of in and out through the doors of your office or home. This allows cool air to escape and hot air to enter.
More Efficient Air Conditioning:
One of the most inexpensive and effective ways to reduce your air conditioning costs is to adjust your thermostat setting. The savings can be significant when you set your thermostat at 25 degrees Celsius or higher. For each degree you raise your thermostat setting, you reduce seasonal cooling costs by 6 to 8 percent.
- Setting the temperature a little higher of around 25 – 26 degrees Celsius, will you save 6 to 8 percent of your cooling costs for each degree above 25 and most people will be comfortable.
- Use a ceiling fan or portable fan to supplement your air conditioning. A fan can make you feel three to four degrees cooler (and only costs a half-cent per hour to operate) so you can set your thermostat a few degrees higher and save on cooling costs. Use in occupied rooms since fans cool people, not rooms.
- Turn off the air conditioning or set the thermostat up a few degrees when you leave.
- Be sure your air conditioner coils are not blocked. A free-flowing air conditioner operates most efficiently Be sure the return air grill inside your office or house is not blocked by furniture or other items. Filters should be checked monthly or three monthly.
- When air conditioning is on, keep doors and windows closed Turn off exhaust fans when your air conditioning is operating.
- Caulk and weather-strip leaky windows and doors.
- Shade your office or home from direct sunlight. Use shades, drapes, awnings, trees and shrubs to block the hot sun from heating up your home.
- If you suspect your air conditioning system is not cooling properly, have it checked promptly. A unit that is having operational problems can cause extremely high bills.
- If your air conditioning equipment is older and less efficient, compensate by being extra careful about temperature settings, hours of operation and filter condition.
Biggest Money Saving Improvements
Four tips to provide the greatest energy savings:
- Replacing an old air conditioner with a new higher efficiency unit
(new air conditioners use up to 40% less electricity than older models) - Sealing leaks in ductwork i
- (the average office or home loses 15%-25% of cooling and heating through leaking ducts)
- Adding ceiling insulation to R-30
Installing solar screens or awnings on windows hit by direct sunlight
(solar screens reflect back 60%-70% of sunlight/heat before it can enter the house)