When summer arrives, many people think about how to save energy while using air conditioning, even though AC it’s a key part of surviving the hottest summer hours. The reality is that savings can be seen in the long term if you take action from the first moment you start using air conditioning in your home.
Ice Blast, a highly-recognized air conditioning company located in Brisbane, Australia, highlights that even from the purchase of air conditioning, you can make a significant change by purchasing an energy-efficient air conditioner that helps with long-term energy savings,
But many other tips can help you save energy while using air conditioning at home, such as the ones we are going to name below.
What type of air conditioning should I buy for my home?
Currently, in the market, there are different types of air conditioning and each of them has a different installation, power, refrigeration and operation.
Portable air conditioning
This type of air conditioning does not require prior installation. This equipment is louder than others and although it is cheaper, its operation is less efficient.
Split air conditioning
Split air conditioning is the most common AC out there. Also, it is cheaper than, for example, ducted air conditioners. It is easy to install, its system consists of an outdoor unit with a compressor and an indoor unit that can be installed on the wall or ceiling and also it is a silent device.
Multi-split air conditioning
The main difference with the single split AC is that it can have up to 8 indoor units while having a single outdoor unit. These air conditioners have great power and are suitable for big homes with more than 2-3 rooms.
Keep in mind that even when the installation is similar to the single split one, the indoor units work individually.
Ducted air conditioning
This type of air conditioning requires a more complex installation through a false ceiling but it can offer great air conditioning features as well.
How to save power while using my air conditioner?
Check the energy efficiency label
When purchasing an air conditioner, you must check the energy efficiency label on it. The best option is to opt for the one that has an A label. If it is A +++, the energy savings will be approximately 40%.
Keep in mind that appliances with this rating are priced higher than those with a worse energy rating. Still, it is not worth saving on the device when, in the long run, it will cost you more in terms of consumption.
Use medium temperature
It is advisable to set a temperature between 20 and 25 degrees in summer and 20 and 22 degrees in winter. Beyond this temperature, the air conditioner will start to consume more electricity. This will cause the electricity bill to increase between 6% and 8%.
This temperature is not only ideal when it comes to consumption, but it is also the best for your health. It is important to note that the difference between the outside temperature and that of the house should not exceed 12 degrees.
Program the air conditioning
One of the options to save on the electricity bill is to program the air conditioning to turn off, especially when you are not home or at night. Sleeping with the air conditioning is not the best option, but if the user does, it is best to program the operating hours to avoid excessive consumption.
You can also activate the Eco mode if your air conditioner has this option as you can save up to 30% on energy consumption.
Make sure a good installation is performed
When installing the air conditioning it is very important to define where the appliance is going to be placed. Avoid putting it in areas where the sun’s rays hit directly as it is preferable to put it in a shady place.
Also, make sure that you do not cover the airflow of the air conditioning to pass as this will decrease the efficiency and it will be reflected on the energy bills.
Perform regular maintenance
Like every household appliance, the air conditioner also needs maintenance. You can perform a really deep maintenance once a year but also you should keep the filters clean regularly.
It is not hard to do it as cleaning can be carried out with water and any cleaning agent or you can just replace the AC filters if your air conditioner works like that.
Natural ventilation
Natural ventilation consists of openings, doors and windows that allow the circulation of the air between the interior spaces of the house. It is highly recommended, especially for climates with controlled temperatures, which means that it is best to do this if you do not live in an area with extreme temperatures.
In this way you can turn on the air conditioner only if it is really necessary. Also, you can control the temperature by closing or opening the curtains and changing them with ones of different materials when it is necessary.
For example, in winter you can put ones of thick material while in summer you can put ones that cover you from the sun.
Thermal insulation
The most important thing to do to avoid energy losses is to use high thermal insulation materials at your home. This kind of material will help to equalize the temperature from outside and the temperature from inside as this works as a barrier.
If you want you can try to insulate the ceiling, doors and windows of your home by using materials such as polyurethane, expanded polystyrene, mineral wool among others.
Keep in mind that you can save a significant amount of money in the medium and long term by having good thermal insulation. This is because if doors and windows are well-sealed, it will ensure that the temperature generated by the air conditioning is maintained, without cold or heat entering the property.
We hope that you found these tips useful. Remember that when it comes to air conditioning it is better to consider long-time savings than savings you can make just when buying the AC system.
