Posted by
Team NZ
20 yrs ago
Hi, we live in 700sqft apartment, last month was $485 and this month $1100 we used the radiator heater last months (alot) this month no heater but aircon. Is aircon really that expensive? Is this normal?
Please support our advertisers:
Keep the filters clean. Also it's worth getting the unit professionally cleaned (not some guy down the street with a high pressure hose) and checked over before the hot season - so it is running optimally.
Please support our advertisers:
If you have large south facing windows, it sounds about right. If you face north, it sounds high (unless you run it 24/7).
Running aircon at 25 degrees instead of 22 degrees saves about 30% of the power.
25 will feel a bit uncomfy initially, but you get used to it very fast. The slightly more humid air that goes with the higher temp is much better for your skin and lungs, too.
Unless we're at home at 4pm (when the sun is full on the windows), we use only ceiling fans in the sitting room and bedrooms; they cost next to nothing to run. We usually use the aircon only in the room where we store the clothes (in "dry" mode) - to stop them going moldy.
Please support our advertisers:
Wow. ok thanks folks, especially Burgundy for the tip re aircon temp, only challenge is we only have a few settings on ours...low and high. We run it at low anyway for just a few hours a day but will definitely get it cleaned (thanks Claire).
Please support our advertisers:
When it gets hot here you will not care about the bill! A/C is our friend.
I am from NZ and comment that it is cheaper probably still here than in NZ for power.
I run the A/C at night to sleep but there were only 3 or 4 days last year where I needed A/C in the living room. Rest of the time I suggest getting a free standing fan from Fortress.
Nothing bugs me more however than flatmates who have quiet stay at home lives that run the A/C in the living room all day while you are either out having a life, or at work. Grrrr....
Please support our advertisers:
cd
20 yrs ago
That doesn't sound excessively high. Although our highest bill ever was in the winter months when we had several plug in radiators on the go, and although we have high bills in the summer with a/cons, its never been as bad as running the heaters.
Please support our advertisers:
60 days KLN / NT.
30 days on HK Island/Lamma.
Please support our advertisers:
Please support our advertisers:
our aircons were older the buckley's goat, costing us nearly 1800$/mo in the hot weather. The landlord replaced two of them a week ago...it will be interesting to see the change (if any) in the electrical bill
Please support our advertisers:
Please support our advertisers:
That seals it then, we are talking with the landlord about our antique aircon.
Please support our advertisers:
dk10
20 yrs ago
It is normal. But there are simple ways to save on your bills (and be good to the the environment) without making yourself uncomfortable. The things that really add up are the heating and cooling devices. Here's what we do:
1.have the water heater on only when we need it
2.have the aircon and room heaters on only when we're in the room. We wait for the room to reach the right temperature and turn it off for a while after that.
3.Fans help a little.
4.keep the hot water switch on the water dispenser off. Realized it was adding nearly $400 to the bill every month, and we didn't even use it.
The big item on your bill was probably the water heater. That's the one most of us don't keep an eye on.
Please support our advertisers:
Agree with dk10. 2500W blow dryers also add up to your elec bill if you use them too frequently.
And by the way, we requested for 2 new airconditioners when we moved in last year to replace the old ones. The landlord was (too) kind enough to oblige
Please support our advertisers:
The water heater is a good idea, only thing is, we are all having cold showers at the moment not hot ones. :-)
Please support our advertisers:
cara,
Maybe you could get a cat?
Please support our advertisers:
You must be logged in to be able to reply.
Login now
Copy Link
Facebook
Gmail
Mail