The unbearable summer heat isn’t showing any sign of slowing down. Like every year, the summer season sees a boost in air conditioner (AC) unit sales across the country. This year, the heat seems to have come early as there are reports of heatwaves across the country. 

After getting AC units, there is the additional headache of higher electricity bills. While AC may bring relief during the simmering hot weather, it also generates hefty cost at month-end. However, there are some ways to reduce the power consumption of AC and lower the bill. Here’s how. 

Effective Ways to Reduce AC Power Consumption 

Use a Programmable Thermostat 

Thermostats are a great way to reduce AC power consumptions. This nifty little device can intelligently sense the temperature of the room and can perform pre-programmed actions based on the said temperature. 

For example, a user can program the thermostat to shut down the AC after it reaches say 20 degree C. This way, the AC unit will automatically shut down after the room temperature reaches the desired level. 

Thermostats are the best and most effective way of reducing AC power consumption as it ensures that the unit doesn’t keep running idly. 

Read more: Inverter AC Prices in Bangladesh in 2023

Set the Correct Temperature 

As a rule of thumb, a lower temperature on the AC unit will mean higher electricity consumption, resulting in higher bills. Many people often think setting the AC at the lowest level will cool the room faster or that it’ll be more comfortable. 

But study shows that the ideal room temperature for humans should be between 20 to 24 degree C. So rather than setting the temperature at the lowest level, set it somewhere around 24 degrees to get the optimum comfort. Considering the local temperature, you can set the AC temperature at 25 degree C or above in Bangladesh.  

Thus, you can minimize the electricity consumption for your AC unit and reduce bills.

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Clean and Replace AC Filters 

AC filters keep the air inside the room clean and pure. A dirty or problematic AC filter can reduce AC efficiency by at least 15%. The lost efficiency will ultimately drive up the bills. 

It is recommended to get the AC filter checked and replaced every 6 months. The AC will stay in pristine condition as well as maintain its maximum efficiency. The cost of replacement of filters also isn’t that expensive. Most filters are available after-market for about 1000 to 1,500 BDT. 

Sealing the Air Leaks 

AC works best in closed-off rooms. An open room will only let the cool air out, making it impossible to cool off the room. So it’s important to properly seal any leaks or openings in the room. Check the windows and doors for any potential leaks and get them sealed if there are any. 

A closed-off room will cool down much faster, meaning less active time on the AC. This will help to significantly cut down on power consumption as well as bills. 

Read more: Air Conditioner Brands, Buyer Guide, Models, with Price in Bangladesh

Turn on the Fan 

AC air dissipates by the principle of diffusion. That is the cool lighter air moves slowly from one corner to the hot heavier air on the other. It is possible to speed up the diffusion process by using the overhead fan. 

Just turn on the fan simultaneously as the AC and the room will cool down much faster than it would normally. The result is again less active time of the air conditioner and consequently reduced bills at the end of the month. 

Use Blinds and Curtains 

The recent heatwaves saw glaring sunlight outside as well as inside the house through the windows and doors. The thing about sunlight is that even if you completely seal the window, the sun's rays may still heat your room. 

So it’s important to use curtains and blinds to properly shield the room from the sun's rays. This will help to keep the room cooler for a long time on a single use. 

Use Dehumidifier 

A quick look at the weather app often shows two different temperatures. The actual temperature and the real feel temperature. The real temperature is always much higher than the actual temperature. Why so? 

It's because of humidity. High humidity in the air causes the surrounding area to heat up more. The same principle applies in rooms as well. So it is suggested to pair the AC with a dehumidifier. In case of high humidity, the dehumidifier will reduce the humidity and help to cool the room much faster. Lesser humidity also helps to retain the coolness in the air so the room will remain cool for a considerable time even when the AC is turned off. 

Read more: Why do Air Conditioners explode? How can we prevent them?

Plant Trees and Shrubs 

Planting trees and shrubs is something that will not only reduce the temperature in and around the house, but contribute to combat global warming. Strategically planting large trees on sunny sides of the house can help to create natural shade which will inherently keep the house cool. 

Moreover, you can keep indoor plants inside your room which can help to keep the air of your room cleaner and cooler.

Use Energy Efficient Appliances 

Refrigerators, washers, and dryers, all produce heat. It is important to use energy-efficient electrical appliances in the home to reduce heat emissions. Most new models come with energy efficiency in mind so slowly getting the old appliances replaced can be a good option. 

Plus it will also reduce the overall electricity consumption which will ease the pressure on AC use. 

Read more: Tips to Keep Home Cool in Summer Without AC

Schedule Regular Maintenance 

AC units are after all electrical appliances. Without proper maintenance, AC units will lose their efficiency and in extreme cases, stop functioning altogether. Generally, each AC unit should have a 6-month maintenance schedule. But if any problem is noticed meanwhile, contact maintenance as soon as possible. Addressing issues as soon as possible will help to increase the longevity of the AC unit. 

Use Natural Ventilation 

Allow natural ventilation in your room from time to time. This point technically doesn’t serve the title but turning off the AC in favor of natural ventilation in relatively less-hot times will considerably save on those AC bills. Keep airflow by opening the windows and ventilators in rooms. While it won’t be at the level of cooling by AC units, it will still cool off the room. 

Final Words 

Air conditioner units are becoming a necessity during the scorching heat of summer days. But the problem of high electricity bills persists for many with the use of a single unit. ACs aren’t exactly energy efficient. However, it is possible to reduce the bills by following some standard procedures like the ones mentioned above. 

Read more: Beat the Heat: How to Stay Cool in Simmering Hot Weather?