How Much Does a Split System Air Conditioning Cost to Run?

Are you running a split system air conditioning system at home? Whether you already have one installed in your home or are planning to buy one to prepare for the summer months, you may be interested to know how much this type of air conditioning costs to run.

Compared to portable and window-type air conditioners, split-type aircons are more expensive. No wonder, most people think they are just as expensive to run. Well, it does not always work that way. In fact, you can use both a split type aircon and a window type aircon and have to spend more on the latter!

In this article, we will discuss the running cost of a split system. But before that, let’s take a look at the different factors that impact your electricity bill when using this air conditioning system.

What factors affect your split system’s running costs?

Admit it: You want comfort amid the sweltering heat of the summer days but not at the expense of rising power bills. Unfortunately, that is the reason why some people shy away from split type aircons—the fear of skyrocketing power bills. If you plan ahead of time by selecting a cheap electricity plan that meets your needs and fits your budget, you don't have to be concerned about those bills piling up. Actually, answering the question of how much it costs to run a split type aircon is not as straightforward as it seems. Why? Because there are several factors that determine the running costs of this air conditioning system. These include:

•         The size and capacity of your unit

Obviously, the size of your unit is directly associated with its capacity in kW. The smaller unit, the less energy it will use. This is one of the most overlooked factors when shopping for an aircon, so if you have not bought one for your home yet, make sure that the size of the unit you are looking to buy is just right for the room you want cooled. if your split system is too small for the room it has to cool, then it will need more energy to cool the entire room—resulting in high power bills.

 

•         Inverter technology

Nowadays, almost all brands of air conditioners have inverter technologies integrated into their air conditioning systems. As expected, those featuring such technologies are costlier than those that don’t but they are more energy-efficient and cost-efficient in the long run. Generally speaking, air conditioners with inverter technology are more cost-efficient to run because they require less power to maintain the temperature once it has been set. If you can afford an inverter split system, we recommend that you choose that over a non-inverter one.

 

•         Temperature

The temperature that your air con unit is set to also affects the running cost of your split system, especially when it is too high or too low. During the summer months, setting your air conditioner to any degree lower than 25 degrees can increase the operating costs of your split-type system by as much as 10 percent.

 

•         The length of time your air con is in use

This should not come as a surprise. Of course, the longer your air conditioner is in use, the more energy it will consume.  This basically explains why a smaller capacity unit does not necessarily help you save money, especially if the room it has to cool is too large compared to your air conditioning system’s output. With a small capacity unit, your air con will need to work at full capacity and needs more time to cool the entire room—putting pressure on the system. The longer your unit needs to operate, the more energy it will need. And oh, speaking of time, it is important to be mindful of the hours you use your system. If you think you can manage without an air con, better turn it off to save energy.

How much does a split system cost to run?

Before we talk about how much you will need to run a split air conditioning system, keep in mind that the energy tariff to which you are connected will largely determine how much you will have to spend for your energy. If you happen to be connected to an off-peak tariff, expect to spend less on your running costs during certain hours of the day.

In this sample split system running cost calculation, we assume that you live in Brisbane, are on a standard residential energy tariff, and with a 3-month-old split system set at 24 degrees. Assuming you are running a 2.5 kW split system for 4 hours a day, expect to pay about 11.9 cents per hour or about $40.11 a year for your air conditioning. But with a 3.5 kW system, you may have to spend more—about $134.16 a year. This is about the same as using a 5.0 kW split system for 5 hours a day, in which the running cost is about $130.33 for an entire year.  

From these examples, you can see that several factors come into play when determining the running cost of your split air conditioning system. If you are using your aircon at temperatures lower than 24 degrees, you may have to add some 10 percent to your running costs. It’s a different story when you use an inverter split system, or when you are connected to an economy tariff that offers significant energy savings. The insulation system installed in your home, the size of your windows, and your floor plan can also have a huge impact on your energy consumption, so make sure that you take note of them when computing your split system’s running costs.

Conclusion

Regardless of the air conditioner that you use, remember that the running costs of your system will largely depend on how you use it. Sure, the size of your system, its capacity, the size of your house, and energy tariff each has a role in determining your overall operating costs, but your usage habits will provide you a clearer picture of how much it will cost you to run your split-type air conditioner. No matter how energy efficient your system is, without fair usage, you cannot expect the running cost of your system to go down.