How to increase the efficiency of your air conditioner and reduce energy costs
The issue of savings in the operation of air conditioning equipment should be approached at the stage of its purchase. It is necessary to take into account the energy efficiency of the device itself (indicated by letters from A to G, where A is the best indicator, G is the worst), the installation diagram, the size of the room, the purpose and design of the building. Regular cleaning and professional maintenance of air conditioners will help reduce energy costs in the future.
Saving with comfort: how to increase the efficiency of your air conditioner and reduce air conditioning costs
The development and implementation of a truly good air conditioning system is impossible without calculating heat inputs. For accuracy, the use of measuring equipment is necessary, so this task, like the installation of air conditioners, is the field of activity of climate control specialists. Heating of indoor air occurs due to:
- presence of people;
- sun (through windows, walls, roof);
- air flows penetrating through ventilation;
- lighting, electrical and mechanical devices;
- frequent opening of doors.
To achieve a comfortable microclimate in an air-conditioned room, the heat gain from outside should be minimized. To do this, keep windows and doors tightly closed. It is recommended to take care of sealing them and eliminating cracks, and use fabric curtains or blinds.
How to increase the efficiency of an air conditioner: recommendations for optimizing operation
High efficiency of the air conditioner is achieved by protecting the external unit from exposure to direct sunlight. Ideally, it is installed on the shady side of the building. If this is not possible, use a visor. At the same time, make sure that there are no obstacles between the indoor and outdoor units so that air circulates freely in the system.
How to save energy with an air conditioner:
- Maintain the temperature in the range of +20–25 °C. These are the optimal values for a comfortable microclimate.
- Do not use the device for more than 10 years. Air conditioning systems not only wear out, but also gradually become obsolete, and therefore are much inferior to new models in terms of energy efficiency.
- Clean the indoor unit regularly. Filters become clogged, which leads not only to poor air quality, but also to increased energy costs.
- Order maintenance of the outdoor unit at least once a year. Service, as well as air conditioner repair, should be trusted to professionals.
- Inspect the split system before the start of the summer season and upon completion. The presence of dirt in the heat exchanger can lead to reduced energy efficiency and serious damage.
In addition, optimizing the performance of air conditioning equipment involves checking for refrigerant leaks and refilling (if necessary). These tasks are performed on site and do not require dismantling of air conditioners.
Energy efficiency technologies: how to use them to reduce air conditioning costs
It is worth mentioning inverter-type air conditioning equipment here. If you are wondering how much an inverter air conditioner saves, the answer is that the reduction in energy consumption compared to conventional systems is about 30%. Innovative solutions also help to save energy: the function of the absence of people in the room, limiting the temperature range (prevents excessive cooling of the air), indication of electricity consumption on the display (kWh), shutdown timer, automatic temperature reset.