Were you shocked when you received your recent electricity bill in the mail? The costly electricity bill might even make you think twice about switching on your aircon regularly moving forward. However, an air conditioner is almost necessary for us to sleep soundly given Singapore’s hot and humid climate.
What if we told you there are ways to beat the heat without worrying about costly electricity bills? Yes, it is possible to reduce your aircon electricity consumption! Read on to learn how you can achieve this.
1. Hire a qualified technician to perform regular maintenance
There is a reason why aircon manufacturers recommend scheduling aircon maintenance at least once a year. Hiring a professional to carry out regular AC servicing ensures your aircon performs at its optimum level.
Some of the work a qualified aircon technician undertakes include checking that every part is clean, the drains are not clogged, and the refrigerant levels are sufficient. These measures ensure your aircon is working efficiently, translating to less energy usage and lower energy bills.
2. Keep the fan blower wheel clean
A dirty fan blower wheel can negatively impact the airflow in your aircon unit, reducing the efficiency of your blower motor and the entire system. Constant neglect can even cause the heat exchanger to overheat and AC coils to freeze. So hire a professional to clean your aircon regularly to prevent more expensive repairs down the line.
3. Clean your filters
Another vital component to clean regularly is your aircon filters. They serve to eliminate solid contaminants, such as dust, grease, pollen, and smoke, from the air to ensure better indoor air quality. Over time, these pollutants will accumulate and clog the filter, resulting in reduced airflow. As a result, your aircon must work harder to cool the room, thus consuming more energy.
So if it has been months since you have had your aircon cleaned, we recommend contacting a professional aircon contractor in Singapore to thoroughly clean your aircon unit. Remember, a more efficient aircon means lower electricity bills!
4. Maintain your aircon condenser unit
The aircon condenser unit is responsible for collecting or releasing heat from the AC unit. When it malfunctions, your aircon’s ability to produce sufficient cold air to cool the room is severely hampered. As such, your aircon operates less efficiently and consumes more power, resulting in a higher electricity bill. Therefore, you should remember to get a professional to maintain this component frequently.
Learn More: 9 Reasons Why Your Air Con Is Not Cold
5. Keep all windows and doors closed to prevent cold air from leaking
Do you recall someone mentioning closing the windows and door whenever you switch on the aircon? There is a reason for that. It keeps the cool air in and prevents hot air from coming in, taking the pressure off the AC unit. You may also want to consider blocking out sunlight from filtering in through the windows with heavy curtains or blinds. This is because the heat from direct sunlight can cause your aircon to work even harder to cool the room.
6. Choose an aircon with the correct BTU rating
An aircon’s BTU (British Thermal Units) rating indicates how quickly and efficiently an AC unit can cool a room. Therefore, it is paramount to choose an aircon with an adequate BTU rating for your room to ensure you get the most efficient cooling system for your needs. If the aircon is undersized, it cannot cool the space in the shortest time possible, leading to higher power consumption.
However, this does not mean you should just choose an aircon with the highest BTU rating possible. If your aircon has a higher BTU rating than necessary, you may find the AC unit cycling off too quickly. Hence, it ends up wasting energy and not dehumidifying the room adequately.
Here is a breakdown of the most suitable BTU ratings for the common room types in Singapore:
- 9K BTU – 15sqm to 18sqm (HDB/Condo Common rooms)
- 12K BTU – 20sqm to 24sqm (HDB/Condo Master rooms)
- 18K BTU – 30sqm to 36sqm (4 room flat Living rooms)
- 22K/24K BTU – 40sqm to 44sqm (5 room flat/ Condo Living rooms )
7. Install an aircon with the right features at the correct location
While AC units share some common functionalities, such as heating and cooling, they can differ widely in their features or functions. As such, you must determine what is the ideal aircon type (wall mounted, ceiling cassette, ceiling ducted, ceiling suspended, and floor standing units) that matches your space and cooling requirements. However, this is just one part of the equation.
Do you know that choosing an ideal aircon installation location is almost as crucial as selecting the correct aircon model for your home? It is true! When you install your aircon in the proper location, the aircon can perform more efficiently and cool the room faster, saving you both time and money.
8. Top up the refrigerant gas when it runs low
Refrigerant gas is essential in keeping your aircon operating efficiently. It travels through the system to the various parts of the AC unit, changing from low-pressure gas to high-pressure liquid. As it does so, it absorbs heat and releases it as part of the process, helping to bring cool air to your home.
Without it, your aircon will be circulating hot air around the room constantly. Therefore, it is vital that you hire a professional to top up the refrigerant gas of your AC unit when it runs low. The technician will ensure the refrigerant gas level is adequate and the pressure is at the correct amount (PSI) – neither more nor less. This helps your aircon reach the coldest temperature quickly.
We hope what we have shared can help you reduce the energy consumption levels of your aircon. By adopting our suggestions, you may find yourself saving a significant sum of money on your electricity bills, all on top of saving the planet!
If you are seeking a reliable aircon maintenance company to service your AC unit to keep it in tip-top condition, look no further than Jetstyle Aircon! Do not hesitate to contact us today to enquire about our prices and services.
