Yet again, rising fuel costs are hitting the headlines giving even more concern about how expensive the electricity and gas costs will be in 2008, prompting both individuals and businesses to examine how efficiently they can consume power and also if there are any ways to reduce the bills.

During the winter it’s a case of ensuring that your home or premises is warm enough, but the challenge at the height of summer will be to ensure that it is cool enough to prevent discomfort and enable everyone in the office or house to remain cool, whilst at the same time making sure you are not wasting expensive energy on your air conditioning system.

Ensure that your air conditioning units are serviced and in perfect working order, and also ensure that you do a few simple things to make them operate more efficiently. Air conditioning units should be serviced regularly, preferably annually, by qualified air conditioning technicians. Regular maintenance may be considered an unnecessary expense but consider how expensive it would be to have to replace the entire unit because of poor maintenance. Similarly, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions on replacing system filters if you want to ensure longevity for your system.

Before turning on the units for summer check the vents. Make sure that any internal vents or grills within the home or office are not blocked by curtains, blinds, carpeting and other debris or your unit will have to work harder, thus consuming more energy. For example, potted plants are frequently stuck on vents next to the window in offices, so make sure they are removed before switching on air conditioning this summer.

Also ensure that external vents are clear from blockage, especially if they are at low level and easily obstructed. Remember to take frequent tours around your building throughout the summer, checking that vents have not subsequently become blocked.

Set your thermostat at a comfortable but reasonable level, but not ‘Arctic’ settings. The cooler you set the thermostat the harder your system will need to work to achieve that temperature, but you will also need to ensure that everyone in the building is comfortable.

Obviously, don’t leave windows open when the air conditioning is running, even at night when temperatures are lower. But, most importantly don’t have unrealistic expectations about the ability of your air conditioning system. Most units are designed to maintain a difference of around 8 – 9° C between outdoor and indoor temperatures, so if it gets really hot don’t keep turning down the thermostat expecting the inside temperature to dramatically reduce. It won’t, but your power bill will significantly increase!