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Energy Consumption And Your Air Conditioner

July 9, 2013 by 1 Comment

In the aftermath of yesterday’s incredible rain Toronto Hydro is asking customers to cut back on their energy consumption today.  As they try to restore power to those that still remain in the dark.  One way to help is by cutting back on the power you use so that they can focus on getting of the City up and going.

However, with the weather expected to be hot and humid today it will most likely be tempting for those with air conditioning to turn it up a notch!  If you find yourself in this category, you should be aware that there is also a direct benefit to you to use your air conditioner wisely.   More money in your pocket!  Air conditioning can account for up to 50 percent of your summer electricity consumption and with the cost of energy on the rise it can amount to a significant amount of money.

So with these two things in mind I thought it would be a great day to post some tips from Toronto Hydro on how to cut back on your energy consumption (and therefore save money!) when using your air conditioner.

Here they are and for more great ideas from Toronto Hydro on how to cut back on energy consumption visit their website.

Air Conditioning: Tips for cutting back on your energy consumption

  • Install and use a programmable thermostat. Then you can automatically manage your air conditioning. Your energy savings will easily pay for the cost of the thermostat in the first year.
  • When you’re not at home, turn your air conditioner off, but keep your ventilation fans running to circulate the cool air. You can program the thermostat to turn on just before you get home.
  • Run your air conditioner just a little warmer and save up to $16 a month. Set your thermostat at 25°C for eight hours a day. Then shift to 22°C during Off-Peak hours to save.
  • Try to install your air conditioner in a shaded area. An air conditioner that is exposed to direct sunlight will consume five per cent more energy than one that is shaded.
  • When you turn on air conditioning, do not switch your thermostat to a colder setting than you need. It will not cool the room any faster.
  • Reduce heat gain in your home. Drawing blinds or shades during the day on windows facing south or west can reduce your air conditioning costs by up to $12 a month.
  • Think fans before air conditioning. A ceiling fan can save you about $18 a month on cooling costs. Set your air conditioner 5°C higher, use an ENERGY STAR®qualified ceiling fan and you could reduce cooling costs by up to 30 per cent. Studies have shown that during spring and fall, the cost to operate a fan is approximately $1.50 per month vs. $20 per month for air conditioners.
  • Proper maintenance of your air conditioner can increase its efficiency by about five per cent. You can clean the outside compressor yourself with a hose, removing debris that impedes airflow. On average, the savings will be $4 a month during the summer.
  • Shopping for an air conditioner? Pay attention to the Energy Efficient Ratio (EER). The higher the EER of the unit, the lower the cooling costs. Replacing your old air conditioner (EER of 10) with a new unit (EER of 14) will typically save $25 a month during the summer.
Filed Under: Current Affairs

Comments

  1. laurajayden says
    August 8, 2013 at 5:48 am

    I usually don’t usually post on many Blogs, nevertheless I just has to say thank you… keep up the amazing work. Ok unfortunately its time to get to school.

    Reply

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