- Precise Temperature Setting: Balancing Comfort and Energy Savings
The power consumption of an air conditioner (AC) mainly depends on the temperature difference between the indoor and outdoor environments. For every 1°C reduction in this temperature difference, summer power consumption can decrease by approximately 10%, and winter consumption by around 8%. In summer, avoid the misunderstanding of “pursuing rapid cooling” – many people set the temperature to 16-18°C as soon as they get home to cool down quickly. In fact, this forces the AC compressor to run at full capacity, consuming 1.5-2 kWh per hour, and excessively low temperatures may cause joint discomfort. A scientific approach is to first set the temperature to 26°C with medium-high fan speed. Once the indoor temperature drops to a comfortable range, adjust it to 27-28°C and switch to low fan speed. This maintains coolness while preventing frequent on-off cycles of the compressor. In winter, avoid “overheating”; the optimal temperature range is 18-22°C. Temperatures below 18°C may feel cold, while above 22°C not only increases power consumption by 0.3-0.5 kWh per hour but also dries indoor air, raising the risk of respiratory discomfort. For families with the elderly or children, fine-tune the temperature by 1-2°C (e.g., 27°C in summer, 20°C in winter) and use thin blankets or coats to balance comfort and energy efficiency.
- Mode Selection Strategy: Avoid “One Mode for All”
Different AC modes significantly impact energy consumption; choosing the right mode for the season and scenario saves electricity. In hot, humid summers, the “Dehumidify” mode outperforms “Cool” mode: when indoor humidity exceeds 60%, people feel muggy. Activating Dehumidify mode makes the compressor run at low power (about 60% of the Cool mode’s power). Reducing humidity lowers the perceived temperature by 3-5°C – for example, when it’s 35°C outdoors and 70% humidity indoors, the perceived temperature under Dehumidify mode is only around 28°C, consuming 0.4-0.6 kWh less per hour than Cool mode. For rapid cooling needs, use “Turbo Cool” for 15-20 minutes until the temperature drops to 26°C, then switch to “Cool + Auto Fan Speed.” The AC will adjust fan speed automatically based on temperature, avoiding continuous high-power operation. In winter, use “Electric Auxiliary Heating” cautiously: when outdoor temperatures are above -5°C, the regular “Heat” mode suffices. For temperatures below -5°C, Electric Auxiliary Heating can assist, but use it intermittently – e.g., turn it on for 1 hour, then off to maintain temperature with indoor insulation. This prevents prolonged use of Electric Auxiliary Heating, which consumes 1-2 kWh per hour. Additionally, the “Eco Mode” on some ACs automatically adjusts temperature at night, saving more energy than regular Sleep Mode, ideal for users who run ACs overnight.
- Maintenance Details: Keep the AC in “Optimal Condition”
Neglecting AC maintenance can increase energy consumption by 20%-30%. Focus on three key parts for daily upkeep. Filter cleaning is fundamental: remove and clean the filter monthly; for households with pets or allergy sufferers, clean it every two weeks. Soak the filter in warm water for 5 minutes, add a small amount of neutral detergent (e.g., dish soap), gently scrub (avoid hard-bristled brushes to prevent deformation), air-dry, and reinstall. This ensures smooth airflow and reduces air resistance for the AC. Outdoor unit heat exchanger cleaning is often overlooked: in hot summers, dust on the heat exchanger lowers heat dissipation efficiency, forcing the compressor to overwork. Clean it quarterly with a low-pressure water gun (set below 0.2 MPa) from the side or a long-haired brush dipped in water, avoiding direct water contact with the motor. Deep cleaning of the indoor unit evaporator and condenser: after 3+ years of use, bacteria and scale buildup inside reduces heat exchange efficiency. Hire professionals for annual cleaning with specialized detergents. This improves heat exchange efficiency by 15%-20% – for instance, an AC that once took 1 hour to cool to 26°C will now take only 45 minutes, significantly reducing runtime.
- Auxiliary Measures: Reduce AC Dependence with “Small Tips”
External tools and habit adjustments further lower AC usage frequency. Summer sunshading is crucial: install curtains with over 70% sunshade rate on west- and south-facing windows. During peak sunlight hours (2-4 PM), these curtains block over 80% of solar radiation, lowering indoor temperature by 4-6°C compared to unshaded rooms and reducing AC cooling time by 15-20 minutes. In winter, use sunlight for heating: open south-facing curtains from 9 AM to 3 PM to let sunlight warm the room, raising temperature by 2-3°C and shortening AC heating duration. Door and window sealing matters: check for gaps; use weatherstripping or sealant to fill large gaps. This reduces cold air leakage in summer (saving ~0.5 kWh daily) and hot air loss in winter. Additionally, pair AC use with fans (summer) or humidifiers (winter): in summer, oscillating fans circulate cool air evenly, allowing a 1°C higher AC setting; in winter, humidifiers maintain 40%-50% humidity, preventing cold sensations from dry air and enabling a 1°C lower AC setting. Both reduce energy consumption.
- Runtime Control: Avoid “Unnecessary Operation”
Properly controlling AC runtime is key to saving electricity. For short absences (1-3 hours), do not turn off the AC: restarting requires the compressor to run at high frequency (inrush current is 3-5 times normal operation), so frequent on-off cycles consume more power than standby. Standby mode uses only 0.03-0.05 kWh per hour, far less than restart energy. For long absences (over 8 hours), turn off the AC and unplug it to avoid standby power loss (~0.5-1 kWh daily) and circuit aging risks. For nighttime use, “Sleep Mode” is optimal: it automatically increases the temperature by 1°C every 2 hours (summer) or decreases by 1°C (winter). For example, starting at 26°C in summer, the temperature rises to 29°C after 8 hours. This aligns with the body’s nighttime temperature drop, reducing power consumption by 20%-30% compared to regular mode. If outdoor temperatures drop significantly at night (e.g., after 3 AM in summer), turn off the AC, open windows for ventilation, and use screens to keep out mosquitoes – this saves electricity while letting in fresh air.




