If your summer power bill jumps every time the temperature does, your air conditioner is probably a big part of the reason.
That does not mean you need to use it less.
The bigger opportunity is often in how you use it.
At Allfield RACS, we regularly see Perth systems working harder than necessary because of low temperature settings, poor airflow, blocked filters or zoning that is not being used well.
Here is where unnecessary energy use usually creeps in, and what you can do instead.
What Costs More: Setting the Temperature Too Low
Turning the controller down to 18°C will not cool the house faster.
It simply gives the system a lower target to chase, which can keep it working harder for longer.
WA guidance recommends setting summer cooling no lower than 24°C. For many Perth homes, somewhere in the mid-20s is a practical place to start.
Once the home feels comfortable, let the system maintain that temperature instead of constantly adjusting the setpoint.
What Helps: Cooling Before the House Overheats
Trying to cool a house after it has been baking in the afternoon sun can make the system work much harder.
On very hot Perth days, start managing the temperature earlier.
Timers and smart controls can help bring the system on before too much heat builds up, without leaving it running unnecessarily all day.
The aim is to maintain a comfortable temperature, not recover from an overheated house.
What Costs More: Cooling Rooms You Are Not Using
Ducted zoning can help reduce unnecessary cooling, but only when it is used properly.
During the day, you might focus on living areas. At night, you can shift airflow towards the bedrooms.
But closing every possible zone is not always more efficient.
Your ducted system still needs enough airflow to operate correctly.
At Allfield RACS, we design systems around the layout of the home and how each area is actually used, so zoning works with the system rather than against it.
What Helps: Keeping Heat Out
Every bit of heat that enters the house becomes heat your air conditioner has to remove.
Close blinds and curtains before strong afternoon sun hits, especially on west-facing windows, and keep external doors and windows shut while the system is running.
Ceiling fans can also help circulate conditioned air and make the room feel more comfortable without simply lowering the thermostat.
These are small changes, but over a long Perth summer they can reduce unnecessary cooling load.
What Costs More: Restricted Airflow
Dirty filters and blocked vents can make the system run longer than it needs to.
For wall-mounted split systems, check the filters behind the indoor unit. For ducted systems, keep an eye on the return-air filter.
Also make sure supply vents and return-air grilles are not blocked by furniture or storage.
Good airflow helps the system do its job properly.
When Higher Running Costs Point to a Bigger Problem
Sometimes the issue is not how you are using the air conditioner.
If the system is running constantly, struggling to reach temperature or cooling rooms unevenly, there may be an underlying problem.
Restricted airflow, dirty components, ductwork issues, controls, electrical faults or ageing equipment can all affect performance.
Turning the temperature lower will not fix those problems.
A proper inspection can help identify what is actually making the system work harder.
Spend Less Energy, Not Less Comfort
Running your air conditioner efficiently is not about sitting through a Perth summer in an uncomfortable house.
It is about removing unnecessary work.
Use a sensible temperature, cool before extreme heat builds up, use zones properly, keep the heat outside and make sure airflow stays clear.
If your system still seems to be working overtime, it may be worth having it checked.
At Allfield Residential Air Conditioning Services, we install, service and repair reverse-cycle ducted and wall-mounted split systems across Perth.
Want to get more from your air conditioner this summer?
Contact Allfield RACS for practical advice, professional servicing, repairs or a free quote.