As a new homeowner, deciding and budgeting do not end after buying all your appliances and home essentials. Especially if you have an aircon, understanding how much it consumes will help you make smarter decisions at home. And we’re here to help! We’re Teko.ph, the largest aircon, appliance, and computer services provider in the Philippines, with a quick guide in understanding your aircon consumption per hour at home.
The Basics: Aircon Consumption Per Hour
Aircon consumption per hour is not easy to compute, especially daily. Unlike a light bulb that uses the same amount of electricity whether it’s been on for one minute or one hour, your aircon’s consumption varies based on several factors like room temperature, your room’s insulation, the unit’s age or condition, and how often you open doors or windows inside the room.
Your aircon may also vary depending on HP or horsepower, which refers to how much cooling capacity it has. And to estimate your aircon’s consumption per hour, you need to find its rated power input or wattage. It’s usually indicated on a sticker on the side of your aircon or in the user manual. For example, a 1.0 HP inverter type Midea aircon might consume around 700-900 watts, while a non-inverter 1.0 HP Carrier aircon might consume 850-1000 watts.
A simple formula to estimate aircon consumption per hour is:
Cost per hour = (Watts ÷ 1,000) × electric company bill rate per kWh
You can refer to your electricity bill for the per kWh rate. For example, if you have a 1.0 HP split type (800 watts) and your Meralco rate is ₱12 per kWh, (800 ÷ 1,000) × ₱12 = ₱9.60 per hour. If you use your aircon for 8 hours daily, that’s ₱76.80 per day, or about ₱2,304 per month just for that one unit!
For a more accurate computation of aircon consumption per hour, you may use our free Aircon & Appliance Electricity Consumption Calculator.
How to Save Money When Using Your Aircon At Home
The next step to take after knowing how much your aircon consumes electricity is how you can save energy. First, be sure to set the recommended aircon thermostat, which is usually at 24-25 degrees Celsius. If there are gaps in your windows and doors, seal them to prevent cool air from escaping. You may also use thicker curtains or install blinds to block direct sunlight.
Using an electric fan can also help your room feel cooler. This can help circulate the cool air. And when you feel cooler, you can set your aircon to a few degrees higher, which can help reduce your energy consumption over time.
More importantly, clean your aircon filter regularly, at least once a month. Make sure to also book a professional aircon cleaning every 3-4 months.
Conclusion
As a new homeowner, it’s smart of you to understand your aircon consumption per hour. Knowing this will help you adjust your habits at home and can even help you save a few hundreds (or thousands!) in the long run. Remember, the most expensive aircon is the one that’s not the correct size, poorly installed, or inadequately maintained. Whether you’re buying new or maintaining existing units, Teko’s expertise can help you optimize performance and minimize costs!
