With the arrival of heat waves, air conditioning becomes one of the most used appliances in millions of homes. However, it is also one of the ones that generates the most doubts when the electricity bill arrives. Among the most widespread habits is turning off the equipment as soon as the room gets too cold, thinking that this will reduce electricity consumption.
What many do not know is that this practice can have the opposite effect. More and more specialists in air conditioning and energy efficiency, as JJ Aires Aconditionos explains in its video, agree that continually turning the device on and off forces the system to work more intensely to recover the desired temperature, which can translate into greater energy expenditure.
The key is not to constantly turn the air conditioning off and on, but to use it intelligently, correctly adjusting the temperature and allowing the equipment to operate stably.
Turning off the air conditioning when you are cold can cause you to use more electricity later
“If you turn off the air conditioning every time you get cold, you are not saving energy, you are doing exactly the opposite,” warns @jjairesacoconditioners.
Although it may seem contradictory, an air conditioner consumes a significant part of the energy right at the moment it starts up. When the appliance starts up after having been turned off, the compressor needs to work at maximum power to cool the room again.
In the video they continue to explain that “The component that uses the most energy in the air conditioning is the compressor and it uses a lot of energy when starting, more than if you kept it on for a long time.”
If this process is repeated several times a day, the equipment continuously performs those consumption peaks. On the other hand, when it maintains a constant temperature, especially in models with inverter technology, the system automatically reduces its power once the programmed level is reached.
That is, maintaining a stable temperature is usually more efficient than causing continuous on-off cycles.
Experts explain that continuous operation does not mean that the device is consuming maximum power all the time. Once the home is heated, the equipment only makes small adjustments to maintain the temperature, requiring much less energy than when starting the cooling process.
The ideal temperature to save without being overheated
Another common mistake is setting temperatures that are too low, thinking that this way the house will cool down sooner.
In reality, air conditioning units cool at practically the same speed regardless of the selected temperature. The difference is that, if the user sets the thermostat at 19 or 20 degrees, the device will continue to work for longer until it tries to reach that goal.
Various specialists recommend keeping the air conditioning between 25 and 27 degrees during the summer. This range offers a good balance between comfort and energy efficiency, in addition to reducing the thermal contrast with the outside.
Some experts even remember that for every degree that the programmed temperature is unnecessarily reduced, electricity consumption can increase by around 7%, a difference that ends up being reflected in the monthly bill.
It is also advisable to avoid directing the air flow directly towards people. Many times the feeling of cold is due to the fact that the jet hits directly, when it would be enough to modify the orientation of the slats without having to completely turn off the equipment.
Other tips to reduce your air conditioning bill this summer
The savings do not depend solely on the use of the device. There are small habits that help improve system performance and reduce energy consumption.
- One of the most important is to keep the filters clean. When they accumulate dust, the equipment needs to work harder to move air, reducing its efficiency.
- It is also advisable to close doors and windows while the air conditioning is running. There is little point in cooling a room if cold air constantly escapes or heat enters from the outside.
- During the hours of greatest sunshine, lowering blinds, using curtains or awnings and preventing the sun from entering directly into the home allows the interior temperature to be reduced by several degrees before even turning on the device.
- Another effective strategy is to combine air conditioning with a ceiling or standing fan. The air movement of the fan improves the thermal sensation, allowing the thermostat to be raised one or two degrees without losing comfort, which represents considerable savings throughout the summer.
- Finally, it is advisable to periodically review the condition of the equipment. Proper maintenance not only prolongs the life of the appliance, but also ensures that it operates with the lowest possible consumption.
The savings are in maintaining a stable temperature
The idea of turning off the air conditioning every time we feel cold seems logical, but it is not always the most efficient decision. Modern systems are designed to regulate their power automatically and consume less once the programmed temperature is reached.
Instead of continually turning the equipment on and off, specialists recommend setting the thermostat to a reasonable temperature, keeping the home well insulated from outside heat, and performing periodic maintenance on the appliance.
Small changes in the way you use the air conditioning can make a noticeable difference at the end of summer, both in the comfort inside the home and in the amount of the electricity bill.
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