AIR CONDITIONERS

Does air conditioning keep us comfortable at the expense of our environment? All too often, the answer is yes.

Here's the irony. We use our air conditioners to protect us from the effects of hot, smoggy days. BUT … by running our air conditioners, we are making these days even more likely. That's because the pollutants released during the production of electricity contributes to climate change and other forms of air pollution. It creates a vicious circle of smog.

Air conditioners can put an enormous strain on our power supplies. They're the reason the risk of power shortages is greatest in the summer. If you have an air conditioner, it can account for as much as half of your energy use on hot summer days.

Can't live without it?

Let's be honest - most of us wouldn't give up our air conditioner. That's okay; you don't have to feel guilty. But running the A/C all day in an empty house while you're at work is a pointless waste that creates a lot of pollution.

There's a myth that leaving the A/C on all day uses less energy than cooling the house down when you get home. That myth is completely false. Your air conditioner has to work its hardest in the middle of the day when it's hottest outside. That's a lot of wasted energy when nobody's home.

Virtually all A/C units can be programmed to turn on just before you get home. That way you can still come home to a cool house without wasting electricity all day.

A window unit air conditioner can cool a room noticeably in about 10 minutes. That's a better use of power than running it continuously for the eight to 10 hours when you're at work.

The starting point for becoming more efficient is the decision you make when purchasing an energy-efficient air conditioning system. Just as important as the price tag is the SEER - Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio - of the system you are considering.

A higher SEER number means a more energy-efficient system. A system with a 13 SEER is 20 to 25 per cent more efficient than one with a 10 SEER - meaning it's 20 to 25 per cent less expensive to run.

Here are more tips:

• Keep doors and windows closed when the air conditioner is on - otherwise, you're literally throwing energy out the door or window. And you're compounding the problem by making the air conditioner work even harder.


• Use ceiling fans to supplement, or even instead of, air conditioning.


• Close blinds, shades and drapes during the hottest part of the day in the summer.


• To save more on central AC costs, try cooling your home to only 24 or 25 C instead of the low 20s. Each degree you go below 26 C noticeably increases your electricity use.


• Turn off unnecessary lights in the house - they produce a lot of heat and make your air conditioner work harder.