As the weather continues to heat up around the country, it’s been revealed that two-thirds of Australians are guilty of leaving the air-con on while they’re out of the house, just to keep it cool. And the bill-boosting habits continues once they get home – running the air-con while doors and windows are left open, according to new research from Mozo.com.au
The energy plan comparison site estimated the potential cost of each bad habit in the nationally representative survey, finding the total national cost could be as high as $2.5 billion over the summer, with the most money being drained by leaving the AC on overnight in order to sleep under a doona.
The cost of Australia’s bad air-conditioning habits this summer
|
Bad habit |
% guilty of habit |
Estimated time AC is on for habit |
Potential cost to individual* |
Potential national cost** |
|
Leaving air-conditioning on when you go out so your home is cool when you return |
42% |
2 hours per day, 7 days per week |
$67 |
$410 million |
|
Leaving air-conditioning on overnight so you can sleep under a doona |
29% |
8 hours per day, 7 days per week |
$269 |
$1.134 billion |
|
Leaving air-conditioning on for your pet while you are out |
26% |
9 hours per day, 5 days per week |
$216 |
$712 million |
|
Leaving air-conditioning on to cool the kitchen while you use the oven |
22% |
2 hour per day, 5 days per week |
$48 |
$152 million |
|
Leaving air-conditioning on while the doors or windows are open |
12% |
3 hours per day, 2 days per week |
$29 |
$50 million |
|
Leaving air-conditioning on to dry laundry |
7% |
4 hours per day, 3 days per week |
$58 |
$57 million |
|
Total: |
1716 hours (over 12 weeks) |
$686 |
$2.516 billion |
|
Source: Mozo.com.au *Based on estimated hours of use per week of a 1900 watt split system air conditioning unit over 12 weeks of summer. **Estimated based on number of survey respondents with air-conditioning in their home who said they do the habit.
