Old AC Units Cost More: Time to Upgrade?
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As summer arrives, air conditioners become the savior of many households. However, how many years has your air conditioner been in use? Many hold the mentality that if an appliance isn't broken, there's no need to replace it, thinking this saves money. Little do they know, for air conditioners, sticking with an old unit might actually lead to higher energy consumption and costs. Recently, a netizen shared their experience pointing out that an old air conditioner could potentially cause an additional expenditure of thousands in electricity bills annually, making it a case of 'the more you save, the more you spend'!
Old Machine Warning: Ten Years of Air Conditioning Noise Disturbing, Repair Difficulties
A netizen reported on an online forum that the air conditioner in their home has been in use for as long as ten years. Not only does it produce excessive noise during operation, affecting sleep quality, but when attempting to find a repair technician, the other party often fails to respond or handle the issue upon hearing it's a ten-year-old machine, compounded by renovation restrictions making the repair process complicated. This leaves them in a dilemma, unsure whether to replace it with a new one.
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Insider: Old Machine Pays $7500 More in Electricity Bills, Should Be Replaced After 10 Years!
In response, a self-proclaimed owner of an appliance store shared her personal experience, emphasizing: "Air conditioners should be considered for replacement after more than ten years of use." She further shared her own story. It turns out that her home once had an air conditioner that was used for as long as 21 years. She originally thought this would save money, but after entering the air conditioner industry, she realized that old machines consume a shocking amount of electricity. After replacing it with a new one, the electricity bill every two months immediately decreased by about HKD 1250. If it is not turned on all year round, the annual savings could be as high as HKD 7500, an amount sufficient to purchase a brand new air conditioner.
In fact, old air conditioners not only consume more electricity but also have other issues. According to industry insiders, air conditioners that have been used for more than ten years will see a significant decrease in cooling efficiency, making it hard to lower the room temperature to an ideal level, while the operational noise will also increase. Some customers found their electricity bills halved after replacing their old air conditioners. Therefore, many netizens also say that air conditioners are worth their value after ten years of use, parts for old machines are hard to find, and if you insist on not replacing them, the high electricity bills in the future might scare you.
Decorator Tips: Saving Electricity with Air Conditioners
Here are some myths and practical tips for saving electricity when using air conditioners, allowing you to enjoy the coolness while also 'saving your wallet'.
Does a lower horsepower air conditioner save more electricity?
Many people think that the lower the horsepower of an air conditioner, the less electricity it consumes. In fact, this concept is not entirely correct. Horsepower refers to the cooling capacity of the air conditioner, which is related to its electricity consumption, but it does not mean that the lower the horsepower, the more electricity is saved. When choosing an air conditioner, it is recommended to decide the horsepower based on the area of the room. Generally speaking, it is recommended to equip 1 horsepower air conditioner for every 100 square feet of space. For example, for a 300 square feet room, choosing a 3 horsepower air conditioner is most appropriate. If an air conditioner with too low horsepower is used, it may consume more electricity due to frequent operation, which in turn increases the electricity bill.
Short Outings, Not Turning Off the AC Saves More Electricity
Many people are accustomed to turning off the air conditioner when going out for a short time, thinking it saves electricity. In fact, research shows that not turning off the air conditioner for a short period can save more electricity. When you turn off the air conditioning, the whole house heats up quickly, and when you come home and turn it on again, the compressor needs to run again to cool down, which can lead to high power consumption. Therefore, in the case of going out for two or three hours, it is recommended to raise the temperature of the air conditioner instead of turning it off. This can both keep the room cool and reduce energy consumption.
Is the lowest fan speed of the air conditioner the most energy-saving?
Many users might think that setting the air conditioner's fan speed to the lowest can save electricity, but in fact, this practice is not wise. The air conditioner's total heat exchanger gathers and releases the heat energy in the air. When the fan speed is too low, the amount of air passing through the total heat exchanger decreases, leading to heat accumulation, which in turn increases electricity bills. Therefore, the recommended practice is to set the air conditioner's fan speed to "auto" mode, which can most efficiently expel hot air and effectively reduce the ambient temperature, avoiding unnecessary energy consumption.
Closing Windows and Turning on the AC Right After Coming Home Wastes More Electricity
In the scorching summer, it's a common habit to turn on the air conditioner as soon as you get home. However, doing so actually increases your electricity bill. The best practice is to open the windows first to allow air circulation between the inside and outside, helping to expel the hot air. After the indoor heat has dissipated, then turn on the air conditioner. This can significantly reduce the burden on the compressor and decrease energy consumption. Not only does this make your air conditioner run more efficiently, but it also extends its lifespan.
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The content and images of this article are provided by the columnist Renovation Man.
