Tips to Save Energy with Your Air Conditioner
Small changes that lower your electric bill without sacrificing comfort.
- Set the thermostat between 24 and 25 degrees Celsius; every degree colder noticeably increases consumption.
- Clean or replace filters monthly; a dirty filter forces the unit to work harder.
- Keep doors and windows closed while the unit is running.
- Use curtains or blinds to block direct sun during the day.
- Don't block vents with furniture or curtains.
- Get preventive maintenance at least twice a year.
- Consider an Inverter unit if you use it many hours a day.
- Use a timer or programmable thermostat to turn off the unit when you don't need it.
- Seal air leaks around doors and windows.
The best settings for comfort and savings
Every degree lower on the thermostat makes the unit work harder. Setting it to 16 °C does not cool the room faster; it only makes the unit run longer. Between 24 and 25 °C most people are comfortable, especially if the air is dry. In the rainy season, the dry or dehumidify mode removes moisture with less energy and often feels just as cool.
A ceiling or standing fan together with the air conditioning lets you raise the set temperature one or two degrees without losing comfort, because moving air feels cooler on the skin.
Where the energy goes
- Sun through windows: in the afternoon, west-facing glass can add as much heat as several people in the room. Curtains, blinds or solar film make a real difference.
- The roof: in single-story homes with metal roofs, much of the heat comes from above. Ceiling insulation helps the unit more than people expect.
- Leaks: gaps under doors and around windows let cool air out and warm, humid air in.
- Heat sources: computers, televisions, lights and cooking all add heat that the unit has to remove.
Habits that add up
- Turn the unit on a little before you need it instead of setting it very cold when you arrive.
- Use the sleep or eco mode at night; it raises the temperature gradually while you rest.
- Turn off units in empty rooms, or use the timer so they shut off on their own.
- Keep the outdoor unit in the shade if possible, without blocking its airflow.
When the equipment is the problem
If you already follow these habits and the bill is still high, the unit itself may be the cause: an old non-inverter unit, a unit that is the wrong size, low refrigerant from a leak or dirty coils. A maintenance visit can show whether a cleaning and adjustment will solve it or whether a more efficient unit would pay for itself.
Keep an eye on your bill
Your electricity bill shows the kilowatt-hours used each month. Compare it with the same month of the previous year rather than with last month, because the season changes how much the air conditioning runs. A sudden increase without a change in your habits is often the first sign that a unit needs attention, long before it stops cooling.
If you manage several units, in a condominium, an office or a business, writing down each month's consumption makes it easy to spot which area or unit is using more than it should.
A well-maintained unit uses less energy
Combine these habits with regular preventive maintenance for maximum savings.
Schedule maintenance