When summer arrives, " electricity bills " become a nightmare for many households, especially since air conditioners are the main energy consumers. Many people look forways to fight against high electricity costs during the hot season.But did you know that running an air conditioner to cool effectively while saving money involves more techniques than just setting the temperature to 25 degrees?
Thairath Online recommends 5 simple air conditioning saving methods that help you use your air conditioner efficiently while minimizing electricity consumption.
Saving electricity with air conditioning is not about "enduring the heat" but about "managing the cooling" to minimize energy loss. This can be easily done with the following techniques.
Many people are used to setting their AC at 23-24 degrees for quick cooling, but did you know that increasing the temperature by 1 degree saves about 10% electricity? The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) recommends setting the temperature at 26-27 degrees Celsius and turning on a fan. The fan increases airflow, making the body feel as cool as at 24 degrees while the AC compressor doesn't have to work as hard.
Cleaning the air conditioner is not just about washing the filter, which you can do monthly yourself, but you should call a technician for a thorough cleaning every six months. This removes deep-seated dust from the indoor coil and, importantly, the outdoor coil. If the outdoor coil is dirty, the AC cannot dissipate heat properly, causing the compressor to work harder and consume significantly more electricity.
Many overlook the droplet icon mode (Dry Mode). Reducing humidity makes you more comfortable without lowering the temperature. On rainy or hot but not very hot days, Dry Mode helps the compressor work less since it focuses on condensing moisture rather than full cooling (Cool Mode), thus saving energy in the long run.
During deep sleep, the human body temperature drops and requires less cooling. Using Sleep Mode allows the AC to gradually raise the temperature by 1-2 degrees automatically after 1-2 hours of sleep, a time when you are unconscious. This saves a great deal of electricity all night without harming sleep quality.
Selecting the BTU (British Thermal Unit) rating of an air conditioner can be a common mistake. If the BTU is too low, the compressor runs at maximum speed continuously to reach the desired cooling. If the BTU is too high, the AC cycles on and off frequently, causing humidity buildup and frequent high electricity consumption during startup. It is recommended to consult a technician to select the appropriate size for your room.
Saving electricity on air conditioning during the summer is not difficult if you understand how the machine works, especially when the heat index reaches dangerous levels in April 2026,a time when many people may use air conditioners more frequently than usual. Therefore, knowing these small saving techniques can help reduce electricity costs as well.