It turns out this might not be the best option, both for the environment and your wallet.
According to new research from comparison website, finder.com.au, we’re wasting around $1.3 billion during the summer months.
“The typical split cycle air conditioning unit consumes around 5.0 kWh and costs around 2.7 cents to run per minute,” Angus Kidman, an energy expert at finder.com.au told news.com.au.
“This might not sound like much but a full night’s sleep with the air con running can cost close to $13.”
The research found Australian’s leave their air conditioners on and unattended for or an average of 4.1 hours a day, adding an average of $578 to their quarterly bill.
If turning your air con off isn’t an option, Tony Crabb, national head of research at real estate services firm Savills Australia told the publication to adjust the setting to 25 degrees.
Crabb argues that setting the temperature at 22 degrees, which is often the case, is costing the economy billions.
This article originally appeared on Better Homes and Gardens.