With a new heat wave at the door, many people are asking themselves the same question again: is it better to leave the air conditioning on all night or turn it off to save on the electricity bill?
According to the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), during this week temperatures above 40 degrees are expected in numerous points in the interior of the peninsula and even maximums above 42 ºC in the Ebro, Tagus, Guadiana and Guadalquivir valleys. In this scenario, sleeping without air conditioning can be difficult.
Energy advisor Alex Bermúdez, known on TikTok for disseminating advice on electricity consumption and dismantling myths related to the electricity bill, assures that keeping the air conditioning running all night does not represent as high an expense as many believe.
How much does it cost to have the air conditioning on all night
In one of his videos, Bermúdez sends a clear message: “Having the air in your room on all night costs you less than your morning coffee.” By his calculations, keeping the air conditioning running all night costs about 45 cents.
Therefore, consider that many people have an unfounded fear of the electricity bill and end up using the device in a less efficient way.
The error that increases electricity consumption
Although high temperatures make it difficult to rest, many people choose to turn off the air conditioning before going to sleep or turn it on and off several times during the night for fear that their electricity bill will skyrocket. It is a very widespread belief, especially during the summer months, when the use of this type of device increases considerably in homes.
However, energy efficiency experts remember that consumption does not depend only on the time the device remains on, but also on how it is used. A temperature that is too low or continuous startups of the equipment can increase costs more than maintaining stable air conditioning for several hours.
One of the tips that expert Alex Bermúdez repeats most is to avoid turning the air conditioning on and off continuously. “Forget about turning it off, turning it on, turning it off, and turning it on,” he points out.
According to Bermúdez, when the device has to cool down a room that has already gained temperature, it needs to make greater effort and consumes more energy than if it maintains a stable temperature. “Your air is like a car: you go on the highway at 120 and consumption is minimal. Now, if you get into the city, with traffic lights, pedestrians and braking… The same thing happens with the air: consumption skyrockets,” he clarifies.
This is the ideal air conditioning temperature, according to the expert
The expert also warns of another very common mistake during the hottest days: programming the air conditioning at very low temperatures. “Don’t freak out and set the air to 16 degrees either,” he warns.
Their recommendation is to keep the air between 23 and 25ºC throughout the night, a temperature sufficient to rest comfortably and, at the same time, reduce electricity consumption.
Also, remember that for every degree the air conditioning temperature is lowered, consumption increases between 6% and 8%, so trying to cool the room too quickly can end up being reflected on the bill.
Sleeping with air conditioning, is it profitable?
For Alex Bermúdez, spending the night with the air on can be worthwhile as long as the device is used correctly.
In reality, the most modern equipment, especially those with inverter technology, are designed to maintain a stable temperature by automatically regulating the power, according to several experts. This means that, once the programmed degrees are reached, the compressor reduces its activity and consumes less electricity than if the equipment had to start from zero over and over again.
Maintaining a constant temperature, avoiding turning the device on and off continuously and not programming it at extreme temperatures are, according to the popularizer, the keys to sleeping cool without electricity consumption skyrocketing.
In the middle of a heat wave, following these recommendations can help improve your rest and, at the same time, avoid unnecessary spending on your electricity bill.
Other tips to save with air conditioning
In addition to adjusting the temperature between 23 and 25ºC, there are other popular habits that help reduce consumption without giving up comfort.
Before going to bed, it is advisable to ventilate the home taking advantage of the cooler hours of the day and close windows and blinds when the air conditioning is running to prevent heat from entering from the outside.
It is also advisable to periodically clean the equipment’s filters. When they are dirty, the appliance needs to work harder to cool the room, which increases electricity consumption and reduces its efficiency.
Finally, using the Sleep or Night mode, available on many devices, allows the air conditioning to progressively adjust the temperature during the early hours of the morning, reducing energy expenditure without affecting rest.
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