Gadgets Now Bureau08 Apr, 2022, 09:00AM IST
7 simple tips that can help you reduce your AC bills this summer
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Summers are here and so are the heavy electricity bills for many of us. During the hot weather, electricity consumption increases as usage of appliances such as refrigerators, ceiling fans, air conditioners, and coolers jump. One appliance that is most used during summers is air conditioner (AC) and it can burn a hole in your pocket if not used efficiently.
Although modern ACs consume less energy compared to older-generation, they can still take a good chunk of your monthly electricity budget. To help save a bit extra in your wallet, here are 7 simple tips that can help you reduce your electricity bill while using AC.
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Make sure that you turn off the AC when it is not in use
Most of us want our AC to start cooling instantly the moment we press the button on the remote. To make this happen, many people just turn off the appliance from a remote control and not the source. This results in waste of electricity in the form of ‘idle load’ as in this situation the compressor is left to idle so that it can start again instantly when the AC is turned on.
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Set your AC temperature at optimum level
People believe that the AC will provide better cooling when the temperature setting is set to low. However that is not the case. As per Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), 24 degrees is the ideal temperature for the human body and any AC will take less load to achieve that target compared to the lowest temperature setting. This means you will save more electricity when you set your AC temperature at optimum level.
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Use timers to avoid extra usage
Almost every AC available in the market right now allows users to set timers as per their requirements, however, not many people use it. The feature can help you schedule a certain time to turn off the AC. This helps to avoid extra usage of the appliance which reduces the electricity wastage that happens when you forget to turn off the AC or while you are sleeping.
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Release the trapped heat from your room
You should ventilate your room before turning off the AC. Opening the doors and windows of the room while ceiling fan is on help to release the trapped heat. Doing this will bring down your room temperature which will help AC to cool faster while saving energy as it will require less runtime.
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Get your AC serviced regularly
Most manufacturers claim that their AC doesn’t require service that often and that is true to some extent. However, it is advised that you should get your AC serviced regularly as in India, ACs are not used throughout the year and the appliance can get dusty and jerky when not in use. Keeping your AC serviced will increase its efficiency resulting in less energy consumption.
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Ensure that cool air does not escape the room
You should make sure that your room is completely shut when the AC is running. You should keep your windows and doors closed, and you should also try to fill in the gaps under the panels. This will help to cool the room quickly and for a longer duration. If there’s a way for the cold air to escape, the AC will have to take extra time to cool the room resulting in more energy consumption.
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Turn on the ceiling fan at moderate speed while the AC is running
Turning on the ceiling fan at low or moderate speed while the AC is running helps to cool the room quickly. Once you set your AC temperature at optimum level, you should also turn on the fan to expand the throw of cold air. It is worth noting that using ceiling fans at high speeds while the AC is running can be counterproductive as it may take longer than required to cool the room.