5 tips to help cut down on air conditioning bills in the summer

As summer temperatures rise, the air conditioner has to work harder to keep the space cool, which means the electricity bill also increases.

Many people find themselves in a situation where they have to choose between staying warm to save money or spending more to be comfortable. But what if there was a way to keep your home comfortable and cut your energy bill at the same time? The good news is that it is possible.

Here are 5 simple but effective tips to optimize air conditioner performance, help cool more efficiently and save significantly on monthly costs.

1. Set the right temperature

A common misconception that many people have on hot days is that turning down the air conditioner temperature to the lowest setting, such as 16 degrees Celsius, will help cool the room faster.

In fact, not only is this ineffective, it can also cause your electricity bill to skyrocket. Your air conditioning system operates at a fixed capacity to reach the target temperature, so setting it too low won't cool you faster, it will just make it run longer to reach the temperature it doesn't need.

According to recommendations from energy regulators, the ideal temperature to balance comfort and energy efficiency is around 24 degrees Celsius, the level at which the human body feels comfortable without putting too much stress on the equipment.

In fact, every 1 degree Celsius reduction from the standard setting can use up to 6% more electricity. So instead of turning your room into an artificial “cold country”, keep the temperature between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius.

This is the optimal level to keep the air cool, ensure the machine's performance and, more importantly, help you save significantly on your monthly electricity bill.

2. Regular cleaning and maintenance

Normally, components such as the condenser of the air conditioner are often placed outdoors, easily covered with dust, leaves and impurities. At the same time, even the air inside the house contains fine dust and polluting particles that can stick to the dust filter inside the condenser.

Over time, these layers of dust will accumulate, blocking airflow, reducing cooling efficiency and forcing the air conditioner to work harder to achieve the desired temperature, which means consuming more electricity.

To keep your air conditioner running optimally and keep your electricity bill from climbing, you should clean the dust filter at least once a month, especially during peak summer months.

It is also important to schedule regular general maintenance, ideally once or twice a year. This includes not only general cleaning, but also checking and lubricating components and fixing any potential technical issues.

Depending on the type of machine and frequency of use, you should consult a technician to determine a suitable maintenance schedule, ensuring the air conditioner always operates efficiently and durably over time.

3. Close doors and windows

One of the basic but often overlooked principles when using air conditioning is to make sure all doors and windows in the room are closed.

When the space is not completely insulated, cool air can easily escape, while hot air from outside can flow in.

As a result, the air conditioner is forced to work longer and harder to maintain the set temperature, thereby significantly increasing electricity consumption.

To improve efficiency, you should carefully check for gaps, door seals or loose windows, these can be "leaks" that cause cooling performance to decrease without you knowing.

Additionally, if you have small children or frequently enter and exit the room, you may want to consider installing an automatic door closer, which will ensure the door stays closed without requiring constant attention.

These seemingly small things contribute significantly to saving electricity and maintaining a cool space more effectively.

4. Combine the use of fans

A simple but extremely effective tip to increase the performance of the air conditioner is to use a fan, especially a ceiling fan at the same time as the air conditioner. It sounds contradictory, but in fact, the fan does not cool the air, but helps the cool air from the air conditioner to circulate throughout the room faster.

This helps you feel cooler in a short time, so the air conditioner does not need to run continuously at high capacity.

Just turn on the ceiling fan at a moderate speed, it will help to disperse the cool air evenly, eliminate the accumulated hot air areas and create a cooling effect, making the room comfortable quickly. Thanks to that, you can set the air conditioner at a slightly higher temperature and still feel comfortable, contributing to significant energy savings.

The smart combination of fan and air conditioner not only increases cooling efficiency but also reduces operating pressure on the device, helping to prolong the life of the air conditioner and reduce monthly electricity bills. This is one of the ways to optimize costs without reducing user experience.

5. Use the timer function

One of the simple but effective ways to both maintain comfort and reduce power consumption when using air conditioning is to activate the timer mode, a feature that is now integrated into most modern air conditioners.

For example, at night, when the outdoor temperature gradually decreases, the human body no longer needs the cool air as at first. Therefore, you can set the timer mode so that the air conditioner automatically turns off after 3 to 4 hours.

This not only saves a lot of electricity while you sleep, but also avoids having to wake up to adjust the temperature or turn off the machine manually. Some models also allow you to set a schedule for turning on/off at fixed times during the day, which is very convenient if you have a stable living habit.

Similarly, if you use the air conditioner during the day, you should not let the machine operate continuously for many hours. Setting an automatic timer to turn off after a certain period of time will help the air conditioner "rest", reduce pressure on components such as the condenser, compressor and fan, thereby prolonging the life of the device and optimizing operating costs.

Making good use of the timer function is a simple but effective technological solution, helping you maintain comfort in your life while still controlling your monthly electricity consumption.

In short, applying the simple but practical tips above will help you enjoy a cool space in the summer without worrying about high electricity bills.

Maintaining the habit of planning for reasonable usage along with regular maintenance and cleaning of air conditioners not only improves cooling efficiency but also helps to minimize power consumption.