With the arrival of heat, there is a gesture that is repeated in thousands of homes: turn on the air conditioning and take the opportunity to put on the washing machine. It seems like a practical way to get things done, but several engineers specializing in energy efficiency warn that this combination can have a direct impact on electricity consumption.
Although using both appliances at the same time does not pose a danger to the installation if it is in good condition, it can increase the power demanded at the same time and cause energy consumption to be greater than necessary. The key is not so much in the devices, but in how and when they are used.
In this article we explain why experts recommend avoiding this practice, in which cases it is really worth separating its use and what habits help reduce the bill without giving up comfort during the summer.
The reason why engineers advise against using the air conditioner and the washing machine at the same time
When two high-consumption appliances coincide, the home demands a greater amount of power simultaneously. The air conditioner can consume between 700 and more than 2,000 watts, depending on the equipment, while the washing machine reaches its highest peaks when it heats the water during the wash cycle.
The problem is not only the sum of both consumptions. Engineers explain that these demand peaks cause the electrical installation to work with a higher load during certain times of the day. If, in addition, other appliances such as the oven, dishwasher or ceramic hob are operating, the instantaneous consumption increases even more.
For this reason, specialists advise spreading the use of appliances throughout the day whenever possible. It does not mean that it is prohibited to use them together, but that doing so regularly is usually less efficient from an energy point of view.
Furthermore, in homes with an adjusted contracted power, this coincidence can even cause the power control switch to trip when the available limit is exceeded.
The time of washing also influences more than it seems
Not all washing machine programs consume the same electricity. Cycles with hot water are the ones that need the most energy because the electrical resistance must raise the temperature of the water.
On the other hand, cold or 30°C programs considerably reduce this consumption. In fact, a good part of the electricity used by a washing machine is used precisely to heat the water.
If the air conditioning is running during the hottest hours and the washing machine uses a high temperature program, both devices will concentrate a good part of the home’s electricity consumption in the same period.
For this reason, many experts recommend taking advantage of low temperature programs whenever the clothes allow it and delaying washing until times when air conditioning is no longer so necessary.
This small change can help distribute energy demand and improve the efficiency of the entire home.
Separating both appliances by a few hours can help reduce the bill
Although the savings will depend on each home, spacing out the operation of the air conditioning and the washing machine is usually a simple strategy to avoid concentrating large consumption.
If the air conditioning has already cooled the house during the morning, it can be turned off for a while while the washing is carried out. Another option is to run the washing machine at night or early in the day, when the outside temperatures are still lower and the air conditioning works less or is not even necessary.
In rates with time discrimination, this organization can provide an additional benefit if the washing coincides with the hours of lowest electricity prices.
It is not only about consuming less energy, but also about doing it at the most appropriate times.
Other habits that help you use less electricity in summer
Engineers remember that energy savings do not depend on a single measure, but on the sum of small daily habits.
Among the most common recommendations are:
- Maintain the air conditioning temperature between 25 and 26 °C.
- Close blinds and curtains during hours of maximum sunshine.
- Periodically clean the air conditioning filters.
- Use cold wash programs whenever possible.
- Avoid matching several high-consumption appliances.
- Hang clothes in the air instead of using the dryer when conditions allow.
Each of these actions provides relatively small savings separately, but combined they can translate into an appreciable reduction in electricity consumption throughout the summer.
Engineers’ recommendation to use less electricity this summer
Using the air conditioning and the washing machine at the same time does not pose a risk for most domestic installations, but it can increase electrical demand at the same time and make consumption less efficient.
For this reason, engineers advise organizing the use of household appliances, especially during the hottest months, to distribute consumption peaks and make better use of energy. Separating the operation of both equipment by a few hours, opting for cold washing programs and maintaining an adequate temperature in the air conditioning are simple gestures that, as the weeks go by, can be reflected in the electricity bill.
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