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7 things to do to reduce your AC bills this summer
Gadgets Now Bureau15 Jul, 2021, 09:41AM IST
Ventilate the room before starting the AC
Open the doors and windows of the room and turn on the ceiling fan to ventilate the room for some time. This will allow the trapped heat of the room to escape and the AC will be able to start cooling quickly and also help save electricity.
Ensure the AC is completely turned off when not in use
If you are not using the AC then ensure that it is completely turned off from the switch board and is not left idle. Many people tend to just use the remote controller to turn off the AC while the compressor is left to idle so that they can get it to start again the movement they press the power button. This ‘idle load’ is simply a waste of electricity.
Use this temperature setting to save money and get better cooling
Starting your AC by setting the temperature at 16 and then keeping it like that wont help you get extra cooling. Instead, start with AC on Auto mode or the ‘quick cool’ mode for 20 minutes and then put it at 24-degrees. This will help you save power.
“Set your AC temperature at optimal level - Some people believe that setting their default AC temperatures at the lowest will give them better cooling. But that is not the case. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) mandated the default temperatures for ACs to be kept at 24 degrees. This is an optimal and comfortable temperature for the human body. Not only that, studies show that around 6 percent of electricity is saved for every degree we raise the temperature. So, keep your AC set temperature at 24 degrees instead of 18 degrees to save electricity bills,” said Nilesh Shah, vice president, Business Planning & Marketing, Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Ltd.
Set timers as needed to help save on AC bills
Most ACs let you set timers according to your requirement. Timers can help you schedule your machines switching off after a specified time, air conditioners with timer on/off is a simple way to reduce the amount of energy you use on a regular basis. “This results in significant savings on your cooling bills throughout the year,” said Shah.Set timers as needed to help save on AC bills
Use ceiling fan at moderate speed along with the AC for quick cooling
You can opt to use the ceiling fan at low to moderate speeds to help the AC to cool your room quickly. Using the ceiling at high speeds may be counterproductive and may put more stress on the AC. After setting the AC at 24, just turn on the ceiling fan at low speed to get better cooling around the room. This will help in saving bills.
Regular AC servicing is a must to better cooling and power saving
There’s no rule that you need to service your AC only once every year. If you stay near a dusty place or if you run AC for longer hours then it is advisable to get your AC service after every 2 or 3 months. This will help in providing efficient cooling and will not put unnecessary load on the AC due to frosting or clogged fins, leading to higher bills.
Ensure that the room is completely shut when the AC is running
Look for gaps under doors or around window panels and fill them with some insulation so that the cold air is not able to escape from the room. Also, draw the curtains to avoid loss of cool air. This will make your AC cool more effectively, more quickly and avoid unnecessary strain on the machine. This might also reduce the usage hours saving your electricity bill.