Country Energy - summer advice

stay cool this summer!

Everyone wants to stay cool during summer, the challenge is to manage your energy use so you can avoid having to pay too much on your next energy account.

Country Energy has the following advice on how to keep cool and keep summer energy costs down.

The first step is to know how much your cooling or summer energy usage is actually costing you. The following list outlines some typical summer energy costs:

The cost to cool a typical living room with a fan is approximately $3 per quarter.
A refrigerated air-conditioner, used for four hours a day on warm days, will cost approximately $36 per quarter while an evaporative cooler will be around $12 to $15 per quarter.
Using a ducted evaporative system for about four hours a day will cost close to $50 per quarter, while a ducted refrigerated system will cost more than $100 per quarter (keep in mind that evaporative cooling is best in dry climates).
A swimming pool filter pump can cost more than $50 per quarter.

The next step is to follow our cooling tips:

Insulation is essential to keep your home cool in summer. A well insulated home is up to 10 degrees cooler in summer, and can save as much as $300 per year in reduced energy costs. Insulate all ceilings, walls and raised floors.
Reflective foil installed under the roof reflects large amounts of direct radiation away from the home in summer.
Ventilation is important for summer cooling – replacing hot air inside the house with cooler outside air, especially at night. Exhaust fans, openable windows and doors should be used to provide ventilation when needed.
Use blinds and sunshades to keep hot sun off windows.
Don’t overcool – a 1 degree celsius difference in temperature between indoors and outdoors adds 10 per cent to cooling costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Limit the number of times the fridge door is opened on hot days.
Look for energy rating labels on all your large appliances - the more stars, the more efficient the appliance.

Also, by remembering to turn off your air-conditioner or cooler or by using a timer, you will see how you can start saving straight away.

Country Energy is proud to be your local energy supplier and wishes you a cool summer.