Tips for saving electricity while using air conditioner

Air conditioner uses more electricity than any other home appliance. It is the biggest contributor to the electricity bill in any home. But with a little care and effort you can surely decrease consumption of electricity to a significant amount. Here are few tips to stay cool and keep your electricity bill slightly low.

1. Change your old air conditioner

If you are using an air conditioner which is more than 10 years old then replace it with a new one. New models of air conditioners are more energy efficient and consume less electricity as compared to old air conditioners.

2. Buy appropriate tonnage air conditioner

It is always better to choose an appropriate tonnage capacity air conditioner based on the size of your room and number of people occupying it. Buying a bigger room air conditioning unit will work less efficiently an consume more electricity.

3. Location of air conditioner

Place your window AC unit or outdoor section of split AC in an area where there is a shade and adequate ventilation. Direct sunlight and inadequate ventilation will decrease the cooling efficiency of the air conditioner.

4. Keep air filter clean

Check and clean the air conditioner filter every month to keep the air conditioning unit in good working condition. Dirty filters makes your AC work harder and use more electricity. Keeping air filter clean can cut a significant amount of energy consumption.

5. Clean the condenser unit annually

Get the condenser unit cleaned at the beginning of each summer season. There are high chances of dirt and leaves accumulation inside the condenser unit as it is generally located outside. For this you can also take the help of a technician.

6. Keep the doors and windows closed

Make sure the doors and windows are closed when air conditioner is switched on. Even a small opening will allow the cool air to leak out and to maintain that cooling the air conditioner has to work harder. If the door will remain open for too long it will cause a loss of electricity.

7. Shade your windows

Direct sunlight can raise the temperature of the your room. Shade your windows with curtains or blinds to block direct sunlight during warmer periods of the day. This way you can reduce the running costs of your air conditioning.

8. Set the temperature around 25°C

Set the temperature of the air conditioner around 25°C for a comfortable cooling and lesser electricity consumption. Lower temperature setting on air conditioning thermostat will increase compressor running time and increase your electricity bill.

9. Run air conditioner less

Switch off the air conditioner when you or no one is in the room. Make it a habit to use air conditioner during the hottest days/hottest periods of the day. You can also use ceiling fan during cooler periods of the day.

10. Install a ceiling fan

Using ceiling fan along with air conditioner in your room will make you feel comfortable even with slightly higher temperature setting on the thermostat  Ceiling fan helps in providing good air circulation and comfort feeling. Even on cooler days or during cooler periods of the day, you can use only fan and save a lot on electricity bills.

11. Turn off heat producing equipment

Turn off all the heat producing equipments when not in use like lights, TV, computer, oven etc. Always try to use appliances that produce heat during cooler periods of the day.

12. Prefer window AC to split AC

If there is a proper space, always prefer window AC to split AC as split AC is more expensive than window AC. Installation and maintenance of split AC is also high as compared to window AC.

13. Use LED bulbs

Replace your conventional lights and CFL bulbs with LED bulbs. LED bulbs use less electricity and generate less heat at the same time as compared to conventional lights and CFL bulbs.

14. Paint interior with light colour

Always use light colour paint for your room interiors. Light colours help in keeping the room temperature low and decreasing the cooling cost as compared to bright or dark colours.

15. Plant trees and shrubs

If there is enough space then plant trees and shrubs in your house. Trees and shrubs provide shade and cool air thus help in reducing the indoor temperature and air conditioning needs.