Aquí se explica cómo usar el aire acondicionado de manera eficaz y económica en 2022

Tener un acondicionador de aire es una bendición, ya que puede beneficiarse de él durante todo el año. Pero esta bendición puede convertirse en una pesadilla si no se usa de manera eficiente, dejando su presupuesto agotado.

Incluso si prioriza su comodidad sobre su billetera, mantener el aire acondicionado encendido todo el día aumenta exponencialmente su contribución al cambio climático global.

Debe preguntarse cómo se puede usar un acondicionador de aire de manera efectiva. Todo lo que tiene que hacer es encender el aire acondicionado y dará lo mejor de sí. Si así es como piensas, ¡estamos aquí para cambiar eso!

Para aumentar la eficiencia de su HVAC, debe automatizarlo con un termostato inteligente o un control de CA.

Pasemos directamente a los consejos para usar un acondicionador de aire de manera inteligente:

Consejos para usar el aire acondicionado de manera efectiva durante todo el año

Los siguientes son algunos consejos y trucos generales sobre cómo usar el aire acondicionado de manera efectiva durante todo el año.

1. Revise y cambie el filtro de aire

Una de las cosas más importantes es revisar regularmente los filtros de aire de su sistema HVAC. Esto no solo mantiene bajo control la eficiencia de su aire acondicionado, sino que también reduce sus facturas de electricidad.

Según el departamento de energía de EE. UU., los filtros de aire sucios pueden aumentar el consumo de energía de tu aire acondicionado hasta en un 15 %.

La frecuencia con la que debe cambiar los filtros de aire depende de varios factores, incluido el tamaño del hogar, la cantidad de mascotas en la casa, la calidad del aire interior y el tipo de filtro de aire que está utilizando.

Como regla general, el período de tiempo recomendado es de 3 a 4 meses, y justo antes de que las condiciones climáticas extremas, como el pico del verano, lleguen al área donde vive. Cuanto más frecuentemente cambie los filtros de aire, mejor será el calidad del aire. Daikin recomienda que cada dos semanas sea el mejor momento.

Puede usar un controlador de CA inteligente para unidades sin conductos que rastrea el uso de su aire acondicionado. Según la cantidad de horas que se usa el aire acondicionado, calcula el mejor momento para limpiar el filtro de aire del aire acondicionado y le notifica exactamente cuándo es el momento.

2. Use termostato inteligente o controladores de CA

La última tecnología HVAC incluye termostatos programables e inteligentes. Este es, sí, equipo extra y más caro que sus contrapartes tontas, ¡PERO son mucho más efectivos y eficientes! Puede notar una disminución de hasta un 25 % en sus facturas de electricidad al utilizar termostatos inteligentes y controladores de CA inteligentes.

Con la automatización y los disparadores inteligentes, puede permitir que su termostato sepa la temperatura deseada, cuándo estará en casa y cuándo estará fuera, y mantendrá de manera eficiente el mejor ambiente para usted.

3. Evite los cambios bruscos de temperatura

Para aumentar la eficiencia del aire acondicionado, es crucial mantener una temperatura constante y evitar cambios de temperatura masivos. A menudo es una de las principales razones detrás del aumento de las facturas de energía. Poner el aire acondicionado a máxima potencia durante el verano o el modo de calor durante el invierno puede ser muy eficaz para lograr la temperatura deseada, pero no muy eficiente debido a los mayores costos de energía.

Una de las mejores maneras de mantener una temperatura estable es climatizar su hogar antes del comienzo de cada temporada. Echa un vistazo a estos 15 consejos para preparar tu casa para el invierno.

Preparar su hogar no solo ahorra su gasto de energía en sus sistemas HVAC, sino que también mejora su comodidad general.

También puede utilizar termostatos inteligentes o controladores de CA para mantener la temperatura ambiente perfecta con disparadores inteligentes o establecer horarios para su aire acondicionado.

4. Utilice la mejor configuración de termostato

La configuración del termostato juega un papel importante en el aumento de la eficiencia de su aire acondicionado. Si bien puede interesarle cambiar la configuración del termostato con frecuencia, especialmente en condiciones climáticas extremas, no se considera una buena práctica.

El Departamento de Energía de EE. UU. recomienda que mantenga la configuración de su termostato a 68 grados mientras está despierto y más bajo cuando esté fuera o durmiendo en invierno. Durante el verano, manténgalo a 78 grados cuando esté en casa.

Para obtener más información sobre la configuración perfecta del termostato en diferentes situaciones, consulta este artículo que detalla la configuración perfecta del termostato para cada situación.

If you have a mini-split, portable, or window air conditioner, you can utilize a smart AC controller to maintain the perfect room temperature and humidity settings.

5. Create Zones

Many people don’t pay attention when it comes to creating zones with the HVAC system. However, it proves to be beneficial in reducing energy bills and is an excellent method to use an air conditioner effectively.

HVAC zoning allows you to set a specific temperature setting for a designated area. This way, you won’t be conditioning your entire home while sitting in your living room. Other than that, by creating zones, you’ll be able to set a different temperature for each zone. If you don’t need a certain area of your house to be cooled, don’t cool it and save energy!

6. Keep an Eye on Indoor Humidity

When it comes to maintaining the temperature indoors, humidity is the most ignored yet a really contributing element. The recommended range for ideal indoor humidity is from 30% to 50%.

However, maintaining the best humidity level is quite tricky and depends on various other factors, including the season, clothing, and personal requirements. Now, whenever you feel like you’re having trouble maintaining the perfect climate inside your home, consider checking the humidity levels.

You can make use of the dry mode on your air conditioner when humidity levels are considerably high. This will be more efficient than using the energy-intensive cool mode. (link to dry mode article)

Humidity can also be monitored using smart thermostats and smart AC controllers. These devices can work to automate your indoor humidity levels.

7. Utilize the Fan Mode

Do you always run your AC on the cool mode during summer? Try using the other, less energy-intensive modes, such as the fan mode. When it’s not extremely hot, and you only require a refreshing breeze, the fan mode can be pretty effective!

8. Look Out for Debris

You may forget about the outer unit of your AC since it’s out of sight. Therefore, it would be best to set reminders and check if the outside unit area is clean from any debris.

If dirt, leaves, and debris enter the ducts or outer unit of your air conditioner, they block the air vents preventing your air conditioner from working at its best. If the outdoor compressor is blocked, you may be limiting ventilation. Create a nice, cool, shady place for your outdoor unit and keep your air conditioner running effectively.

9. Make Sure Your Aircon Is the Right Size

An air conditioner that is too small or too large for your space will be very ineffective. It is essential to purchase the correct sized AC unit for your space as one too small will need to run for longer and at full power. An air conditioner too large will use up more energy than needed and result in higher bills.

Tips on How to Use Air Conditioner Effectively in Summers

No matter how much you long for a sunbath in summers, no one loves hot temperatures when sitting indoors. Here are some summer-specific tips for using your AC more effectively:

1. Pair It With a Ceiling fan

To beat the heat on a sunny day, all one wants is just to sit under the cool air. But we know you can’t do that all day considering the high amount of electric bills that it would result in.

The solution is to pair your air conditioner with a ceiling fan. Run your air conditioner on the lowest setting required and turn the ceiling fan on. This way, cool air will spread across a wide area, maintaining a comfortable environment. Instead of choosing between an air conditioner and a fan, it’s best to combine the two for maximum comfort and efficiency.

2. Direct AC Vanes Upwards

When using the air conditioner in cool mode, keep the direction of vanes upwards. It is because cool air circulates best in an upward direction.

3. Don’t Let Your Thermostat Take the Heat

Thermostat placement matters a lot when maintaining temperature indoors. As you already know that the thermostat reads the temperature from its surroundings and then makes changes. Therefore, while installing a thermostat, make sure it’s not placed under direct sunlight, near a door or a window, or above air vents.

Placing in an incorrect position will result in false readings and an undesired room temperature.

Tips to Use Reversible Air Conditioner Effectively in Winters

If you’re confused about whether you should use your air conditioner/heat pump in winters or not, then this article has all your questions answered.

Let’s take a look at some tips to use your heat pump or reversible air conditioner effectively in winters:

1. Freeze Protection Mode

While the onset of winter brings snow and festivity to the holiday season, it also brings a lot of inconveniences and extra work. If you live in a freezing climate area, we don’t even have to explain the hassle you’ve to go through because of freezing pipes.

The perfect solution for pipe freezing is the Freeze Protection mode, which is operational in heat mode. It allows a heat pump to run on low power at around 46 degrees so that the temperature doesn’t fall below the freezing point.

In this mode, a steady stream of hot air blows out while consuming minimum power. This works wonders for rooms or vacation homes located in extreme climate areas when not in use. You can maintain a non-freezing temperature easily while minimizing energy use.

2. Be Careful With Emergency Heat Mode

Emergency heat mode, as the name suggests, is for emergency situations. While this may break your heart, dropping temperatures outside, don’t make it to the list. Hence, only hit the button when your heat pump is having trouble working properly. Even if you have to rely on emergency heat mode, get it repaired as soon as you can, or otherwise, your bill will be much higher than usual.

3. Direct the Vanes Downwards

When heat mode is on, it is better to keep the direction of vanes downwards because, as per the law of thermodynamics, heat moves to cold places. Also, keep in mind not to direct the heat directly towards the body as it can cause dryness or itchiness.

4. Pair Your Heat Pump With a Gas Furnace

The dual-fuel system is a more efficient way to control the heating inside your home. Basically, it means having a system with two energy sources. One is the electric heat pump and the other one being the gas furnace.

The system works in a combination of both. When a moderately warm climate has to be maintained, the system works like the usual electric heat pump. But when the heating requirement increases based on outside temperature, the system shifts to the gas furnace.

Is It Better to Leave the AC on All Day?

In extreme weather conditions, you might be intrigued to leave your air conditioner on all day, even when away. But doing so will make your electric bills skyrocket. It also contributes to energy wastage and climate change on a global level.

The best solution is to make your HVAC system or ductless mini-split smart by connecting it with a smart thermostat. By going smart, you can set weekly schedules, set intelligent triggers to automate your home environment, keep a check on usage history, and many more.

How to Save Money on Air Conditioning?

When buying a new air conditioner, you should always look for a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). It indicates the relative amount of energy required to generate the output. If you need an energy-saving air conditioner, look for a model with high SEER.

You can also put effort into other things and reduce the usage of your air conditioner. Let’s have a look:

1. Plant more trees around the house. It will block the sunlight and absorb all the heat, making your home cooler.
2. Cover your windows with curtains or use tinted glass sheets. It keeps the warmth of sunshine from heating the objects indoor.
3. Make sure that you conduct an inspection and seal all the leaks to retain the air conditioner’s cool or warm heat indoors.
4. To save money on air conditioning, try to spend more time in the basement, which is cooler than the other parts of your home.
5. Never delay the maintenance of your HVAC system.

These are some of the basic tips to save money on air conditioning. For more useful tips, read 14 super-easy ways to reduce your AC costs to work more on electricity expenditures.

You can have an energy-efficient AC just by acting a little smart and making small changes in your lifestyle. Now, you wouldn’t be worrying much about your AC costs, be it winters or summers. Just follow above mentioned tips for a couple of months and you’ll notice the difference yourself.