To keep an HDB flat cool in Punggol without overspending, use fans first, close curtains or blinds during the hottest part of the day, and set the aircon to 25°C or higher when you do switch it on. The government says each degree raised cuts the aircon’s energy needs by around 10%.
On a still afternoon, a room that catches the sun can feel like an oven. The good news is that the cheapest fixes are also the simplest.
This page is part of eduKate Punggol’s When You Need Help in Punggol, our practical guides for life’s occasions, big and small. It covers fans, blinds, aircon settings and upkeep, safe installation, and the official estimates of what each habit saves.
Quick answer
- Fan first: NEA estimates that using a fan instead of an air-conditioner saves about 26%, on its standard assumptions.
- Cool, then switch: run the aircon for about an hour to cool the room, then change to a fan. NEA puts the saving at about 23%.
- “Go 25”: set the aircon to 25°C or higher. Each degree raised reduces its energy needs by around 10%.
- Block the sun: keep curtains or blinds closed during the hottest part of the day.
- Keep it efficient: check the aircon filter once a month, and have the unit serviced regularly and inspected once a year.
- Buying something new? Higher tick ratings use less electricity, and Climate Vouchers can be used for some aircons and fans. See our vouchers guide for the details.
How to Keep Your HDB Flat Cool, Step by Step
These steps come from NEA, the Energy Market Authority (EMA) and the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE). Start at the top, and only move down the list when you need to.
- Keep the sun out. Close curtains or blinds over the windows during the hottest part of the day.
- Let the air move. EMA suggests opening windows for natural ventilation where possible.
- Use a fan. A stand fan or ceiling fan is the cheapest way to feel cooler. EMA notes that ceiling fans circulate air more efficiently.
- If you need the aircon, use it briefly. NEA suggests running it for a short while, about an hour, and then switching to a fan to keep the room comfortable.
- Set 25°C or higher. This is the government’s “Go 25” call. Each degree higher means less work for the aircon.
- Set the off-timer earlier. NEA suggests setting the timer to turn the aircon off half an hour earlier than usual.
- Look after the unit. Check the filter monthly and clean or replace it when needed. Service the unit regularly and have it inspected each year.
Where to Go and Who to Call
Most of this is about habits, but a few official pages and local contacts are worth knowing.
| Who or what | How to reach | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| NEA energy-saving tips by appliance | Online at nea.gov.sg | Estimated savings for aircon, fans and other appliances. |
| EMA electricity conservation tips | Online at ema.gov.sg | Everyday ways to use less electricity at home. |
| Climate Friendly Households Programme | Claim with Singpass at go.gov.sg/cv-claim | Climate Vouchers for eligible energy-efficient appliances. Accepted in-store only. |
| HDB air-conditioner installation guidelines | Online at hdb.gov.sg | Whether your flat needs a permit, and your responsibilities. |
| BCA air-conditioning safety | Online at bca.gov.sg | Brackets, trained installers and maintenance of the outdoor unit. |
| Punggol Town Council referred electrical contractor (WTS Engineering (M&E) Pte Ltd) | Tel 6677 8540; mobile 9745 4067. Listed rates Mon–Fri 8.30am–5pm and Sat 8.30am–1pm. | Power points and electrical fittings. Not aircon servicing. |
| SP Group 24-hour line | 1800 778 8888 | Electricity supply interruptions. |
Checked October 2026 — confirm on the official page before you go: NEA energy-saving tips, EMA conservation tips, Climate Vouchers FAQ and Punggol Town Council handyman services.
For aircon servicing itself, our aircon servicing guide covers aircon servicing in Punggol.
Which Situation Fits You
Your flat gets the afternoon sun
Close the curtains or blinds on the sunny side before the hottest part of the day, not after the room has warmed up. Open windows on the shaded side for a cross breeze, and let a fan do the rest until evening.
Children nap or study at home in the afternoon
Cool the room with the aircon for about an hour before nap or homework time, then switch to the fan. Set the aircon timer to turn off half an hour earlier than you normally would at night.
An older family member is home all day
Keeping costs down should never mean leaving someone too hot. Use fans and blinds first, and use the aircon at 25°C when they need it. Our heat stress guide explains the warning signs to watch for.
You are buying a new aircon or fan
MSE’s advice is to choose appliances with higher tick ratings, because they use less electricity. Climate Vouchers can be used on air-conditioners with 5 ticks and above, direct current (DC) fans and LED lights with 2 ticks and above. DC fans use DC motors, which are more energy efficient than AC motors. The programme’s DC fans page (updated June 2026) says they do not carry an energy label, so you will not see ticks on the box.
You are installing an aircon in your HDB flat
HDB says you are responsible for the proper installation, safety and stability of your air-conditioner, and you must engage a professional trained by BCA. Flats with a 40 amp main switch, or flats upgraded under MUP or HIP, do not need a permit for installation works. If your flat has a 30 amp main switch, check HDB’s guidelines first.
What Each Habit Saves
NEA publishes estimated savings for each tip. They are estimates for a typical household, not a promise for yours.
| Habit | NEA’s estimated saving |
|---|---|
| Use a fan instead of an air-conditioner | About 26% |
| Run the aircon for 1 hour, then switch to a fan | About 23% |
| Raise the aircon temperature (towards 25°C) | About 3% for each degree raised |
| Set the off-timer half an hour earlier | About 2% |
NEA’s figures assume electricity at $0.29 per kWh before GST, a 2.6kW air-conditioner with 4 ticks, a 50W fan, and a 10% drop in consumption for each degree raised. Your own aircon, flat and habits will give different numbers, but the order of savings holds.
Tariffs move too. EMA raised regulated electricity tariffs for July to September 2026, and SP Group then cut the household electricity tariff by 10.4% for 1 October to 31 December 2026. If your bill still looks high after these changes, our guide to a utility bill that is too high helps you find the cause.
On safety, BCA says only trained installers may fit air-conditioning units on a building’s exterior, and regular checks and maintenance of the tray system, including how it is secured, are required under the Building Control Act.
Neighbour’s Tips
- Close the blinds when you leave in the morning. Coming home to a room that has been shaded all day means less work for the fan or aircon.
- Take a cold shower on hot days. EMA suggests skipping the water heater when the weather is hot and sunny. It cools you down and saves electricity.
- Switch off at the socket. MSE’s energy-saving call asks households to switch off appliances at the power socket when not in use.
- Look at the brackets. BCA advises checking aircon brackets for corrosion at least every 6 months, and replacing badly corroded ones with new stainless steel brackets.
- Ask for the installer’s pass. BCA says to use a trained air-conditioning installer who has an identification pass.
- Make the filter check a habit. Pick a date each month, such as the day your bill arrives, and check the aircon filter then.
- Keep vouchers in mind before you buy. Climate Vouchers expire on 31 December 2027 and are accepted in-store only, so plan any appliance upgrade before then.
If It’s Urgent or Gets Worse
Call 995 if an aircon or fan sparks, smokes or catches fire. Switch nothing on again until a licensed electrical worker has checked it. For an electricity supply interruption, SP Group’s 24-hour line is 1800 778 8888.
If someone at home seems unwell in the heat, do not wait for the flat to cool down. Call 995 in an emergency, or see a doctor. Our heat stress guide covers the signs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should I set my aircon to?
25°C or higher. That is NEA’s advice and the government’s “Go 25” message. Each degree raised reduces energy needs by around 10%.
Is a fan really cheaper to run than an aircon?
Yes. NEA’s estimate compares a 50W fan with a 2.6kW air-conditioner and puts the saving at about 26%.
Does the aircon off-timer make a difference?
A small one. NEA estimates about 2% savings from setting the timer to turn off half an hour earlier than usual. It adds up over a year of nights.
Do I need a permit to install an aircon in my HDB flat?
Not if your flat has a 40 amp main switch or was upgraded under MUP or HIP. Flats with a 30 amp main switch should check HDB’s air-conditioner installation guidelines.
Can I use Climate Vouchers for a fan or aircon?
Yes, for eligible items: air-conditioners with 5 ticks and above, and DC stand, ceiling and table fans. Our vouchers guide explains how to claim them.
How often should I service my aircon?
NEA says to check the air filter once a month, clean or replace it when needed, service the unit regularly and have it inspected annually.
More Help on eduKate Punggol
- Hot day in Punggol: indoor and shaded things to do
- Heat stress, outdoor exercise and hydration in Punggol
- Punggol weather for families: rain, heat and lightning
- Aircon servicing in Punggol
- CDC Vouchers, U-Save and Climate Vouchers
- Utility bill too high? Finding the cause
- Official: NEA energy-saving tips · HDB aircon installation works · BCA air-conditioning safety
A Cooler Home, a Calmer Bill
You do not need new gadgets to feel the difference. Blinds down in the afternoon, a fan in every room people use, and the aircon at 25°C for short spells go a long way towards keeping a Punggol flat comfortable and the bill in check.
And if your family is also looking for calm, small-group English, Mathematics or Science, eduKate Punggol teaches classes of three in Punggol. Come find out more: Book a consultation · Chat on WhatsApp
eduKate Punggol
Small-group English, Mathematics and Science
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By appointment · +65 8823 1234
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Checked October 2026. Addresses, opening hours, fees and rules change, so please confirm with the official source before you go.
