The cost of living is rising, and many Australians are particularly concerned about their spiralling energy costs at home. With power prices tipped to rise 50 percent over the next two years assumed by the Treasury in the Federal Budget (October 2022), Mitsubishi Electric asked everyday Aussies about some of the concerns and challenges facing households today.
Working from home is getting more expensive
According to findings in our 2022 Rising Cost of Living Report, 61% of us spend more time at home than before the pandemic, with 40% of employed people regularly working from home. We are using home appliances more than ever before, which significantly impacts our energy consumption. Many of us are looking for ways to reduce energy usage, 38% are switching off appliances or limiting the length of use, and 31% admit skipping showers.
It makes sense we are looking for appliances with better energy efficiency, but many Australians feel energy labels can be confusing to read. Our research revealed 52% of Aussies are not sure what to look for when searching for an energy-efficient appliance.
Zoned Energy Rating Labels (ZERL)
Air conditioners use Zoned Energy Rating Labels (ZERL) to make choosing an air conditioner for your location easier. The ZERL rating separates the country into three zones; hot, average and cold, and provides energy use for both heating and cooling separately for each zone, helping you make an informed buying decision for your situation.
For more information on how to read ZERL labels easily, follow the infographic below. Click the image to download.
Top energy-saving tips for your air conditioner this summer
As we enter the summer months, the air conditioner is one of the more frequently used appliances in the home. There are ways to help ease the load on your air conditioner and save energy. Here are a few suggestions to help reduce power consumption during the summer heat.
- An ideal room temperature to set the air conditioner to is 22°C or 23°C, which most people find comfortable. Setting the room temperature to 24-25°C will reduce power consumption, but it is up to the individual if they find a slightly warmer set temperature comfortable enough.
- The heat from a hot room will move to cooler, air-conditioned spaces. Closing doors to unused warmer rooms will reduce the load on the air conditioner.
- Keep the windows covered. Closing blinds and curtains can help keep much of the harsh summer heat out of the home, especially if you have west-facing windows.
- Cleaning the filters of your air conditioning is the most important maintenance you can do. When using an air conditioner frequently, the filters should be cleaned every two weeks to keep it running efficiently. See our support page for instructions on how to clean your filter.
- Wi-Fi Control with remote access for air conditioners is ideal for turning the air conditioner on before you get home or checking to see if you have turned it off after you have gone out. Did you know 23% of people admit to accidentally leaving the air conditioner on when no one is home?**
- Switch providers to keep your energy costs competitive. Our report found that one in ten households are regularly switching between energy providers to take advantage of honeymoon rates.
Looking for an energy-efficient split system air conditioner this summer? Consider the MSZ-AP25, ZERL rated between 5.0 – 5.5 stars, depending on your location. Find more information on the AP Series here, or contact your local dealer for advice here.
To read more about the results from the Mitsubishi Electric – Rising Cost of Living Report 2022, download it here.
