ACs are possibly the biggest cause of any summer power crisis. Every time one more AC is switched on and every time the temperature is lowered by one more degree, a huge load is added to the system. We can however work towards uninterrupted power – if we give up ‘freezing’ for ‘cool enough’. Let’s all go 24 this summer - it's actually quite comfortabl
- Ensure proper sealing of doors and windows.
- Set thermostat at 24ยบ C for optimum cooling.
- Clean AC filter every month.
- Use film / tinted glass on windows.
- Prefer air conditioners having automatic temperature cut off.
- Keep regulators at "low cool" position.
- Operate the ceiling fan in conjunction with your window air conditioner to spread the cooled air more effectively throughout the room and operate the air conditioner at higher temperature.
- Seal the doors and windows properly.
- Leave enough space between your air conditioner and the walls to allow better air circulation.
- A roof garden can reduce the load on Air Conditioner.
- Use windows with sun films / curtains.
- Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. The less difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower will be energy consumption.
- Don't set your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling.
- Don't place lamps or TV sets near your air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.
- Plant trees or shrubs to shade air-conditioning units but not to block the airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses as much as 10% less electricity than the same one operating in the sun
To save even more on your monthly utility bill, try turning down your AC unit at night; service your unit; keep the hot sun out of your home; install more energy-efficient light bulbs; and ensure your AC pipes do not have holes in them. I agree about not placing other sources of heat near the thermostat too.
ReplyDeleteJamaal Milner
It would help save energy and costs if you set the thermostat at 78° degrees or higher, since each degree below this setting add 6% to your cooling costs. Use fans to move the air inside your rooms and the entire home. The moving air will give you the sensation that it is 5 degrees cooler than the actual temperature.
ReplyDeleteTyrone Brick
Great tips, Rex! For me, lowering A/C energy costs can be summed up to two things: proper maintenance and responsible use. These things make our air cons energy efficient, which can prevent them from breaking down easily and help us save money. :D
ReplyDeleteThe efficiency of the air conditioning unit has been attributed to how well it performs. Even so, we can still help increase its efficiency by making our own adjustments. For example, rearranging the furniture in such a way the vents aren’t blocked increases the air flow around the house, therefore reducing the need to use the air con. :D
ReplyDeleteSimply scheduling the on and off times of your air conditioner will significantly help in saving energy. In the evening, for example, turning the unit on for thirty minutes is adequate enough to cool the room. You can then use your fans (ceiling fans) to distribute the air around the area.
ReplyDelete