In today’s world, most people have invested in one form or another of air conditioning. We have window air conditioners in our homes or central air conditioners. They keep us cool in the extreme heat of summer without fail; However, have you ever stepped back and looked at the costs of running an air conditioner? Compared to the common household fan, the amount of electricity required to run an air conditioner is phenomenal.
When using an air conditioner, there are many different factors that can directly affect the cost of running it. These factors include the geographic location of your home, where you live, and the amount of work the air conditioner has to do that greatly influences the cost. If you live in an area that has mild summers and extremely cold winters, obviously your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard. However, if you live in an area that has warm winters and hot summers, your air conditioner will have to work twice as hard to maintain comfort.
The difference in weather conditions from year to year will also affect costs. This is basically geared towards the cost difference per year. One summer can be cooler than the next, resulting in a higher bill.
The efficiency rating of your air conditioner plays a large role in the amount of electricity used. Most appliances in the world today are rated, when you buy an air conditioner it will have a label that tells you how much electricity that appliance uses. Look for air conditioners that use minimal electricity, which will save you money each year. If you have a model that is 10 years old or older, it’s definitely time to consider a new one.
Another important factor is the size of the air conditioner versus the cooling load of the house. All air conditioners come in different sizes, and each one will indicate the amount of space it is designed to cool. For example, an apartment could use one or two window air conditioners, while a three-bedroom house would not. Carefully consider the amount of space you need to cool when considering an air conditioner. While larger air conditioners will cost more money, they will generally save you money in the long run over usage.
The setting of your thermostat greatly affects the cost. A higher setting will cause the air conditioner to run less, while a lower setting will make it run more frequently. One power company suggests keeping your thermostat above 78 degrees. This can save you 10-20% in cooling costs.
Finally, the local cost of electricity influences the overall cost of running your air conditioner. This is something you have no control over, however you can control your own cost by saving energy.
Here’s an overview of the difference between running an air conditioner vs. running a ceiling or oscillating fan, at medium speed.
Running a three-ton (and average efficiency) central air conditioner for 8 hours a day for 15 days a month, at an average rate per kWh (kilowatt hour) of 0.17, the average cost per month for just the air conditioner will be $97.92. Isn’t it amazing? This doesn’t even include the washer, dryer, lights, refrigerator, or stove, just the air conditioning.
On the other hand, running a ceiling fan or oscillating fan at medium speed, for 8 hours a day, for a full 30 days, at an average kWh rate of 0.035 costs only $1.43. With this comparison, you could run 68 ½ fans for a full month before reaching the cost of the central air conditioning unit.
There are many other things you can do to lower your electric bill. Things like inspecting, cleaning, or replacing air conditioning filters on a monthly basis. When you’re not home, turn up your thermostat, keeping pets in mind when you do so. Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees, wash only full loads in your dishwasher or clothes washer, and use the energy-saving cycle on your dryer.
Other steps you can take include replacing incandescent bulbs with fluorescent bulbs, this could save up to 75% on lighting costs. You should also seal all windows, doors and pipes to prevent air leaks in or out, also use weather stripping around windows, doors and pipes. Have your ductwork checked for air leaks; Leaky ductwork can reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner by up to 20%.