There are several reasons why the use of air conditioners is increasing with time. Nowadays, every person wants to have it installed in the home, office, or shop. There are several types of these air conditioners, such as window air conditioners or central air conditioners, and people use them according to their requirements. No one wants to live in a pressure cooker. Therefore, it has become the need of every home, especially in summer. According to the US Energy Information Administration, air conditioners contribute to 17% of the total electricity expenditure and even 27% in humid areas.
Where reducing the running cost is a concern, no one wants to compromise on his/her comfort and convenience. However, reducing the running costs of AC is important to save energy and avoid heavy bills. By reducing the cost of running, you can save money and contribute to the environment by reducing the emission of greenhouse gases. However, it is not easy unless you follow some tips in this regard.
How to Cut Running Costs of AC in Half
Here are some of the most recommended tips to cut running costs of air conditioners in half without affecting the level of comfort and sweat in hot summer.
- Set the Right Default Temperature
Setting the right temperature of AC is critical to saving energy and running costs. Most people run AC at 18 or even 16 degrees Celsius, which is not required at all. According to the Department of Energy, the right temperature is 78-degree Fahrenheit (25 C) without compromising your comfort and sleep. Similarly, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency recommends the default temperature of room AC to be 24 degrees Celsius.
It was suggested that running AC at 24 degrees can save energy by 24 percent. This is the reason that countries like Japan and the United States put regulations to set the default setting of air conditioners at 28 degrees and 26 degrees, respectively. However, the default temperature varies from region to region. Several other factors, such as the number of people in the room, the physical activities going on in the room, outside temperature, windows, humidity, and direct sunlight, play their role here as well.
Studies show that you can save up to 6 percent of energy for every degree you raise the temperature. As there is more cost for extra comfort so, try to set temperatures at 24 degrees Celsius.
- Turn Off AC When You Don’t Need It
Sometimes, the households forget to turn off the AC, and this carelessness causes huge electricity bills and other charges. So, why not turn it off when you don’t need it? This practice is important, especially when all the members of the house are sitting together in a separate room. Similarly, don’t forget to turn it off before leaving your home. Nowadays, modern ACs are equipped with Wi-Fi which helps users to turn off the AC even when they are in the office or another place outside of the home.
Similarly, some devices, such as smart AC controllers, will shut down the AC when you are a certain miles radius away. By implementing this method, you can easily save energy and running costs of air conditioning.
- Seal Off Any Leaks
The opening, holes, and badly sealed window leak precious cold air. The hot air from outside comes into the room and doesn’t let the room cool. When it happens, the air conditioners take double the time to cool the same room, which ultimately costs you more. You can save energy and maintain the room temperature much faster by sealing off any leaks.
First, find out all the possible holes and openings and bring about the necessary plan to block them. Doors and windows are the obvious places to look first. Other possible points are air leaks, air ducts, attic entrances, plumbing and utility access, and outlets and switches.
- Regular Servicing and Cleaning
This might be the best and the most recommended tip if you are getting a high electricity bill. If the AC is not cooling the room, it requires maintenance and repair. Your air conditioning unit is a combination of several parts and machines that run and cool the room. With the passage of time, the performance of these machines decreases. Therefore, you have to call experts like Dunedin Refrigeration. These experts will check AC and see which part is not working at its full capacity. Additionally, you should replace faulty filters to save more energy and block off dust particles.
- Use Ceiling and Portable Fans
Another way to save energy is by using ceiling and portable fans. The ceiling fans rotate the fresh air and lift the burden from your AC unit for the time being. According to reports, you can save up to 40% in electricity costs by using ceiling or portable fans instead of an AC. Fans are, although low-tech, but keep rotating the fresh air. If you don’t think it is a cooler option, you can run AC, and when the room is cool enough, simply turn off the AC and turn on the fan. This combination of AC + fan is better than using the AC alone.
- Reduce the Amount of Sunlight
According to the Department of Energy, the window covering can decrease heat gain by 77 percent. Install blinds or curtains to block the direct sunlight because the sunlight tries to minimize the effect of cooling. Another practice is to plant shady trees near your home to reduce the amount of sunlight. The US Department of Energy suggested that planting trees could increase the efficiency of AC by up to 10 percent.
- Install Solar Panels
Installing solar panels to utilize sunlight is another effective way to reduce the running cost of HVAC units. If you are receiving high electricity bills, it can be the best way to reduce them and contribute to the environment. Although the initial cost is high, it is a kind of long-term investment for about 25 years, and you don’t have to worry about the bills.
Final Note
Nowadays, electricity costs are higher around the world because of several reasons. When it comes to reducing the running costs of air conditioning units, you can follow several strategies. Turn off the AC when no one is in the room, and replace AC with a ceiling or portable fan as well. You can also reduce these costs by installing solar panels, installing blinds, planting trees, setting the right temperature, and sealing off any leaks. These recommendations will surely reduce the running costs of AC. For quick and effective AC cleaning or maintenance, feel free to contact Dunedin Refrigeration now.