Figures released to The Herald from EnergyAustralia show the region is home to more household air-conditioners than any other area in its network.

The data obtained from an Australian Bureau of Statistics domestic water and energy use survey showed 78 per cent of houses in the Lower Hunter were air-conditioned, as were 65 per cent of Upper Hunter homes.

Those figures are well above the average of 53 per cent across the EnergyAustralia network, which includes the Central Coast and east Sydney, and they could rise.

EnergyAustralia has estimated more than 6000 new air-conditioners will be installed across the Hunter in the next 12 months.

The region's love for home cooling comfort has put it well ahead in the energy demand stakes.

Summer demand for electricity across almost all parts of the Hunter has increased by about 5 per cent each year, twice the average 2.5 per cent increase across other network areas.

The Hunter recorded its highest ever energy use on January 16 this year, with homes and businesses consuming 1116 megawatts of power. The previous record of 1068 megawatts was set in February 2006.

The proliferation of air-conditioners in the Hunter was because of the high number of new residential areas, EnergyAustralia efficiency expert Paul Myors said.

"It's common for new homes to be built with air-conditioners," Mr Myors said. "So much so they have almost become standard."

He has advised home owners to set air-conditioner temperatures to between 23 and 26 degrees, use the re-circulate setting and close doors to keep in cool air.

"We know that 90 per cent of residents over-cool their homes during summer and for each degree of cooling, your costs can increase by 10 per cent," Mr Myors said.