Air conditioner electricity bill reduction "cooling tips"

How to reduce air conditioner electricity bills?… Summer cooling tips

Turn on the air conditioner and cool as quickly as possible.

Raise indoor temperature by 2°C with cool clothing

Utilize the 'Energy Cashback' for electricity bill discounts

 

 

 

Recently, frequent heavy rains and heatwaves have led to an increase in the use of air conditioners and other cooling appliances. The resulting rise in electricity bills is a significant burden for low-income households. To help people worried about "cooling cost bombs" enjoy a "frugal and comfortable summer," we have looked into tips for saving on cooling expenses during the summer.

 

When turning on the air conditioner for the first time, set a low temperature and turn on the strong wind mode to save electricity costs.

 

It may seem that turning on the air conditioner strongly from the beginning would use more electricity, but that's not the case. In fact, if you run the air conditioner on a low setting when the indoor temperature is high, it takes longer to lower the indoor temperature, which only increases the operating time of the outdoor unit (the device that expels hot air outside).

 

The outdoor unit of the air conditioner turns off or operates in energy-saving mode when the indoor temperature drops below the desired temperature. For this reason, when initially turning on the air conditioner, it is helpful to lower the temperature as quickly as possible, and after reaching the desired temperature, to run it lightly or turn it off for a while to save on electricity costs.

 

 

 

 

◆Different operation methods depending on the type of air conditioner = The most efficient cooling method varies depending on the air conditioner's operating system. Air conditioners are broadly divided into 'constant speed' and 'inverter' types.

 

The constant speed type operates the outdoor unit at maximum power until the desired temperature is reached. When the indoor temperature drops below the desired temperature, the outdoor unit turns off, and when the indoor temperature rises above the desired temperature, the outdoor unit operates again.

 

 

 

The outdoor unit of a constant-speed air conditioner always operates at maximum power. To reduce the operation time of the outdoor unit, set the desired temperature as low as possible from the beginning when turning it on, and after reaching the desired temperature, turn it off for 1 to 2 hours to save on electricity costs.

 

On the other hand, inverter-type air conditioners consume more power than constant-speed types until they reach the desired temperature, but once the desired temperature is reached, they maintain the current temperature using only minimal power. This energy-saving mode consumes less power than turning the air conditioner off and on, so keeping the inverter-type air conditioner on continuously helps save on electricity bills.

 

The operation method of the air conditioner can be checked on the specification label attached to the front or side of the device. If the air conditioner was released before 2011, most of them are fixed-speed models. Inverter-type air conditioners were released in 2011.

 

 

◆Clean the air conditioner filter and use it together with fans = Cleaning the air conditioner filter also improves cooling efficiency. According to the cooling appliance industry, cleaning the air conditioner filter every two weeks can reduce electricity bills by up to 27%, depending on the product. Dust attached to the air conditioner filter is expelled through the airflow, so it is good for health to clean it regularly.

 

It is also good to use appliances that improve cooling efficiency, such as dehumidifiers, fans, and circulators, together with air conditioners. In particular, using fans or circulators that circulate indoor air along with the air conditioner allows the cool air to spread throughout the entire space more quickly than when only the air conditioner is on, thereby reducing the outdoor unit's operating time.

 

◆ Increasing the air conditioner's desired temperature by 2°C = Wearing cool clothing and raising the desired temperature on the air conditioner are also ways to save electricity costs. According to the Ministry of Environment, if the entire nation raises indoor cooling temperatures by 2°C, it is possible to save 421 million kWh of electricity annually.

 

 

 

◆Block out sunlight and unplug the power cord = During sunny daytime, use curtains or blinds to block out sunlight and lower indoor temperatures. Some appliances can minimize standby power consumption by switching to power-saving mode or unplugging them when not in use.

 

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Energy Agency announced that even after the power is turned off and the plug is not removed, the electricity consumed accounts for about 40% of the total power consumption of an average household's appliances. Additionally, using products with an energy efficiency rating of level 2 or higher also helps save on electricity bills.

 

◆Energy Cashback that rewards you for saving = The 'Energy Cashback' which discounts electricity bills based on the amount of electricity saved by households that have relatively reduced their electricity usage also helps in a frugal summer.

 

The Korea Electric Power Corporation's energy cashback introduced in 2022 deducts up to 100 won per kWh from electricity bills if applicants save electricity. If electricity usage is reduced by more than 10% compared to the average usage during the same period of the previous two years, the savings are returned either in cash or by deducting from the electricity bill.

 

For more detailed information and application procedures, please check the Korea Electric Power Corporation's website or the KEPCO mobile app 'KEPCO ON'.