As the summer temperature sours and we seek refuge in the comfort of our cooled interiors, it’s easy to take for granted the process that makes all this possible and how much energy we use. Today we’ll unveil the power behind this cool comfort by answering the question, ‘How much electricity does an air conditioner use per day?’
Gaining this information can allow you to know how much energy your air conditioner uses to allow you to plan your monthly budget or even reduce your energy consumption if you find that it’s too high.
In this article, we’ll cover how to calculate your daily electricity usage by your air conditioner, the factors that affect the electricity consumption of your air conditioner, and how to reduce this electricity consumption.
Let’s get started!
How to Calculate the Daily Energy Usage of Your Air Conditioner
Calculating the daily electricity consumption of your air conditioner is one of the easiest things to do. All you need to do is multiply the hourly energy consumption of your air conditioner by the number of hours it operates during the day.
This is what the formula looks like:
Hourly energy consumption (in watts) x number of hours in a day
For example, if your AC consumes 5,000 watts per hour and runs for 6 hours in a day, the electricity consumption of your air conditioner will be:
5,000 watts per hour x 6 hours = 30,000 watt-hours (Wh) or 30 kWh
If you have more than one air conditioner in your home or space, you’ll need to calculate the energy consumption for each and then add it together. This will tell you how much electricity your air conditioners use in a day.
Now that we have that covered, let’s now look at the factors that affect the electricity usage by your air conditioners.
Factors Affecting How Much Electricity Your Air Conditioners Use
Understanding these determinants can allow you to become more efficient in your energy consumption. However, it’s important to note that these factors do not exist in a vacuum, and you should tailor each to your air conditioning machine and habits.
You could also consult your air conditioner manufacturer for extra information on the specific model you have to help you better understand your energy consumption journey.
Let’s begin.
1. Cooling Capacity
The cooling capacity of your air conditioner is its ability to cool a given area. You should choose an air conditioner that’s perfectly sized to adequately cool the room you want to place it in.
Having an oversized air conditioner in a small room can lead to unnecessary energy consumption. On the hand, getting an undersized unit for a large space can strain the A/C and leave you unsatisfied.
If you are planning to get an air conditioner for your space, ensure you take the size of the room into account to ensure you choose the right unit.
2. Temperature Settings
Setting the thermostat settings to be too low requires your air conditioner to work harder and consume more electricity. The goal is to aim for a comfortable temperature setting that allows you to enjoy the cool air without increasing your energy consumption. This setting varies from person to person depending on the air conditioner type, the climate you’re in, and other personal preferences.
You can test with various settings until you find the one suitable for you. Remember to try and balance comfort and efficiency.
3. Insulation of the Space
How well-insulated your space is will affect the energy consumption of your air conditioner. If your home or building can retain cool air longer, you’ll find that the energy consumption of your air conditioners or central air conditioners is lower than if it isn’t.
Well-insulated spaces reduce the workload on your air conditioners, which can lead to lower costs for your air conditioners. Some ways to insulate your space include properly sealing your doors, windows, and ductwork and insulating your roof, floors, and walls.
4. Climate and Weather Conditions
You’ll find that your air conditioning energy consumption is low in some seasons and higher in others. For example, you’ll find that your electricity bill soars during the summer when the temperature outside is high, and you want to cool your space inside.
This factor also applies to the location you live in. For example, your air conditioner will use more energy if you live in a climatic region that is hot and humid compared to an area that is cool.
Therefore, take this in mind as you choose the best air conditioner – if you haven’t already bought one – to ensure you get one suited for your climatic region.
5. Energy Efficiency Rating
Air conditioners are often assigned ratings that indicate their energy efficiency. You’ll either come across the Energy Efficiency Ratings (EER) or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratios (SEER).
A higher EER or SEER rating on your air conditioner means that it is more efficient than one that has lower ratings. If you are keen on saving your energy, consider getting air conditioners with high ratings that fall within your budget and personal preferences.
6. Usage and Maintenance
The more you use your central air conditioner or the air conditioner in your living room, the more energy you will consume. Regarding maintenance, you’ll find that regularly maintaining your air conditioning machine will improve its efficiency and allow it to work at optimal performance. In turn, this will make it consume less energy compared to if it wasn’t properly maintained.
Some of the ways you can maintain your air conditioners and influence electricity usage include replacing the filters, regular cleaning, and regular inspection.
How to Reduce Air Conditioner Energy Consumption
Here are some tips you can incorporate to reduce the amount of electricity your window air conditioner, or any other air conditioner in your space, consumes.
1. Regular Maintenance
We mentioned this in the factors affecting how much electricity your air conditioner uses. However, we think it deserves another mention in this section because of its impact. If you change your air filters regularly, you’ll experience a significant energy consumption difference.
A well-maintained air conditioner runs efficiently and requires less electricity to provide you with that much-needed cooling effect.
2. Programable Thermostats
There are various high-quality air conditioners out there. However, when it comes to energy efficiency, it’s important to consider an air conditioner with a programmable thermostat.
A programmable thermostat allows you to adjust the temperature settings to suit external conditions and your schedule. This means that you won’t have unnecessary cooling in the space when no one is around.
3. Ventilation
Properly airing your room prevents the vents from getting obstructed and reduces the efficiency of your air conditioner. You could open windows and doors daily for a couple of minutes to let any debris-filled air leave and ensure the continued efficiency of your air conditioner.
4. Use of Shades and Curtains
This is a simple yet effective way to reduce the amount of electricity your air conditioner uses because it reduces its workload. When you use shades or curtains to block out the sunlight, you reduce the temperature in your room.
This means that your air conditioner will have less cooling to do. This seems like a simple thing, but it greatly reduces the energy consumption of your air conditioner.
Frequently Asked Questions About How Much Electricity Air Conditioners Use
1. How much electricity does an air conditioner use per day?
An air conditioner uses around 30 kWh of electricity per day if it consumes 5,000 watts per hour and runs for 6 hours a day. If you have more than one air conditioning device in your space, you’ll need to multiply this figure by the number of air conditioners in your home.
2. How much electricity does a window air conditioner use?
A window conditioner uses approximately 500 – 1,500 watts of electricity per hour. However, this figure is dependent on various factors such as size, energy efficient rating, and cooling capacity.
You’ll find that smaller window air conditioners with a high-efficiency rating use less energy compared to larger units that are less efficient. Therefore, choose a window air conditioner that is properly sized for your room and has a high-efficiency rating to reduce energy consumption and running costs.
3. How does air conditioner efficiency affect electricity consumption?
Air conditioner efficiency reduces the amount of electricity your air conditioner uses without compromising its functionality. This means that your air conditioner will properly cool your space while consuming the least amount of energy.
The energy efficiency of air conditioners is measured by specific ratings. These are the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) or the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The higher this rating is, the more efficient your air conditioner is. You want an air conditioner that is efficient because it will provide you with a greater cooling output for each unit of electricity it consumes. You’ll end up getting good value for your money with a more efficient air conditioner.
