Smart management of air conditioners in summer

With summer and rising temperatures, air conditioners are some of the most used appliances in homes and offices. However, unconscious use can result in wasted energy and high energy bills, as well as having a negative impact on the environment. Knowing how to use your air conditioner efficiently means you don’t have to give up on living comfort and finding the right balance between well-being, savings and sustainability.

Impacts of the use of air conditioners

Air conditioners are very energy-intensive appliances, and prolonged, non-optimised use can significantly affect your electricity bills. According to ENEA (National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Development), a split air conditioner of approximately 6 kW, capable of cooling 2 or 3 rooms (a total of 40m²) used for 8 hours a day during the three summer months can consume energy for up to €200 a year depending on the energy efficiency class.

In addition to the economic costs, the environmental impact of using air conditioners should not be underestimated. In fact, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the refrigerant gases that circulate to cool rooms, contribute much more to the greenhouse effect than carbon dioxide. According to a study published by the European Geosciences Union (EGU), without the necessary controls, the use of HFCs could contribute up to 0.5 °C to global warming by 2100.

However, there are things that you can do every day to allow us to use facilities in a more conscious and sustainable way. Let’s take a look in detail.

Tips to reduce air conditioner consumption

Choose an energy-efficient air conditioner

The first step to reduce energy consumption, not only in the summer, but throughout the year, is to choose an energy-efficient air conditioner, preferably class A+ or higher, that handles both cooling and heating modes. By replacing an obsolete air conditioner with a better performing model, you can optimise your energy consumption and achieve optimal performance all year round. For a more sustainable, efficient choice, it is also important to opt for an air conditioner that uses the latest generation of R32 refrigerant gas, currently the one with the least impact on the environment.

Discover Enel Energia Clima advanced technology and efficiency for your daily comfort, in every season.

Set the ideal temperature

One of the most common mistakes related to air conditioner use is temperature regulation. People often tend to set the minimum temperature to cool the room faster, but this causes increased energy consumption. The temperature inside your home should in fact remain between 24-26 degrees centigrade. It is advisable to maintain a maximum difference of 6-7°C to the outside temperature, although two or three degrees less is often sufficient.

Use the dehumidification function

The 'dry' or dehumidification mode is particularly effective on muggy days, when humidity affects home comfort and causes the perception of a much higher than actual temperature. This function therefore allows a cooler feel without lowering the temperature too much and with lower energy consumption, operating at lower power and shorter duty cycles and optimising the energy efficiency of the appliance. 

The ideal solution to optimise air conditioner use in summer would be to alternate cooling mode with dehumidification mode in order to maintain living comfort without overloading the system and avoiding energy waste.

Only use the air conditioner where it is needed

Cooling unoccupied rooms is a significant waste of energy. It is essential to concentrate air conditioner use in the spaces actually used, closing the doors of empty rooms and switching off the appliance when leaving the room for long periods. Fans are a valid help: ceiling or floor fans, which, in combination with air conditioners, allow for better distribution of fresh air and correctly manage the temperature set on the air conditioner.

Keep doors and windows firmly closed

Preventing the dispersion of conditioned air is essential to avoid unnecessary energy waste. This requires proper thermal insulation in order to guarantee air conditioner efficiency. It is a good idea to keep doors and windows closed while the air conditioner is running in order to avoid heat loss that would force the system to overwork to maintain the desired temperature. Fitting blackout curtains or blinds can also be useful for reducing solar heat input and significantly lowering the thermal load in the room. Low-emissivity glazing or reflective films applied to windows can also help shield the sun's rays and keep the interior temperature stable, reducing the need for cooling. 

Other clever tricks to avoid waste

In addition to the most common strategies, there are clever tricks that can make a difference in the efficient air conditioner use and in reducing energy consumption. First of all, schedule the switching on and off of the appliances according to the times of actual use, thanks to the timer function.

Also not to be underestimated is the location of the air conditioner. It is advisable to avoid placing the unit near windows exposed to direct sunlight and heat sources such as ovens, lamps or electronic equipment that could distort the perception of temperature, forcing the air conditioner to work harder. 

During cooler hours, such as in the early morning or evening, when the temperature drops, doors and windows can be opened to air the rooms and take advantage of natural ventilation.

Maintenance and technologies to consume less

Regular filter cleaning

Constant and careful maintenance of the air conditioner is essential to ensure efficient operation and prolong its life. In particular, regular filter cleaning is one of the simplest, but also one of the most important tasks to be performed, especially during the period of summer use. It is recommended to clean the filters at least once a month, or more frequently in the case of particularly dusty environments or with pets. If filters become clogged, the air flow is significantly reduced, forcing the air conditioner to work harder to maintain the desired temperature and leading to increased energy consumption.

Choose an efficient air conditioner

When buying a new air conditioner, it is important to pay attention to the energy class: choosing an energy-efficient model allows you to keep energy consumption low and reduce the environmental impact.

Outdated devices are often inefficient. A tax deduction of up to a maximum of 50% for the first home is available to facilitate replacement. Incentives such as this not only make the purchase of sustainable technologies more affordable, but also stimulate a generational change of systems, encouraging the adoption of more environmentally friendly and high-performance solutions.

For more information and updates visit the Inland Revenue website. 

Inverter technology and smart homes

Inverter technology is one of the most important innovations in the field of air conditioning. Unlike conventional models, which operate at fixed power by switching on and off continuously, inverter air-conditioners adjust the compressor speed according to actual cooling or heating demand. In this way, the device is able to modulate power output, avoiding consumption peaks and reducing energy wastage due to frequent switching on and off.

The integration of air conditioners with smart home devices represents a further step towards an intelligent and personalised management of home comfort. Via dedicated apps in fact, it is possible to control the air conditioner remotely, schedule on/off times, adjust the temperature, and monitor consumption in real time, even when away from home. This feature allows you to avoid leaving the air conditioner on unnecessarily, and adapts the use of the system to your daily needs, thereby optimising consumption.

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