Chilling with Savings: How to Set Your Air Conditioner for Maximum Energy Efficiency

The world is experiencing progressively worse summers every year. In the scorching summer heat, air conditioning becomes essential to our lives, offering a sanctuary of cool comfort. Globally, building energy consumption accounts for more than 35% of total energy use and more than 25% of greenhouse gas emissions. The temperature at which you set your AC can greatly impact the amount of energy it consumes. In this blog post, we will delve into the fascinating realm of air conditioner temperature settings, their impact on energy efficiency, and the carbon footprint.

Ideal Temperature

We usually set our AC temperature to the lowest possible setting (16 - 18°C). But did you know that setting a higher temperature can reduce the energy consumed by air conditioners significantly? One study on ACs found that each degree increase in the set temperature from a base temperature of 21°C can increase efficiency and energy savings by almost 10%. That is, if you set the temperature on the AC as 25°C, it will be 30-40% more efficient than if the temperature was set at 21°C.

The Department of Energy in the US has said that 25.5°C (78°F) is the sweet spot for air conditioners for a balance between comfort and energy savings. Similarly, in India, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) notified that the default settings for all room air conditioners should be fixed at 24°C from 2020.

Carbon Footprint

At the global scale, ACs produce around 1,950 million tons of CO₂ released annually. Thus, following proper practices can cut down carbon emissions by 580 - 780 million kgs of CO₂ per year. A 1.5-ton AC, on average, consumes around 1 kWh of electricity. Most of the power generated in India comes from coal. Therefore, around 0.90 kg of CO₂ is emitted per unit of electricity generated. Hence, a 1.5-ton AC operating for 10 hours would generate about 1*0.9*10 = 9 kgs of CO₂. Hence, operating the AC at 24-25°C can cut down CO₂ emissions from 9 kgs to almost 5.4 - 6.3 kgs.

If your 1.5-ton AC operates for 10 hours a day for a month, with one unit of electricity costing around ₹6, this would lead to 1*10*30*6 = ₹1800. Therefore, a 40% decrease in energy would mean that this cost would come down to ₹1080, or a saving of ₹720 per month. Do this for 4 months of summer, and you can save around 720*4 = ₹2900.

Conclusion

Setting your air conditioner to maintain a temperature range of 24 to 25°C (75-77°F) during summer can lead to substantial energy savings of around 30-40%. By striking a balance between energy efficiency and personal comfort, you not only reduce your carbon footprint but also contribute to a more sustainable future. Embracing this recommended temperature setting empowers us to make a positive impact on both our environment and our energy bills.