Why You Shouldn’t Keep the Doors Closed with the Air Conditioning On
Energy-saving tips for air conditioner use have been a hot topic on social media lately. Some people believe that keeping the doors closed is an effective way to maintain a cool indoor temperature and prevent damage to the AC unit.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hao from Nam Dinh, shared that her family has three bedrooms, each equipped with a 9000 BTU air conditioner. She always emphasizes keeping the doors closed when the AC is on to prevent cold air from escaping. “I believe that if the doors are not closed properly or are left open, the cold air will have to work harder, consuming more energy. So, around 9 pm, everyone in the household closes their doors and doesn’t go out often,” she said.
Energy-saving tips for air conditioner use have been a hot topic on social media lately.
However, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung from Hoang Mai, Hanoi, has a different perspective. He believes that it’s important to allow the room to “breathe” and for individuals to have proper air circulation. In his opinion, keeping the doors closed for extended periods can lead to a stuffy and polluted indoor environment, resulting in a claustrophobic and oxygen-deprived feeling.
Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duc Loi from the Vietnam Association of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning shared a word of caution. He stated that while keeping the doors closed with the AC on can save energy, it shouldn’t be done for prolonged periods. He explained that air conditioners require a supply of fresh air, and closed doors can lead to a stuffy environment. For residential buildings without a fresh air supply system, he recommended finding ways to ventilate the room by opening windows or doors and using fans to create adequate air circulation.
With these expert recommendations, efficient air conditioner use is not just about energy savings but also about the health and comfort of the users.
During the summer, as temperatures soar, air conditioning becomes essential for the well-being and comfort of families.
We often believe that to use air conditioning effectively, we need to keep the doors tightly closed. This is thought to protect the unit and ensure a cool indoor environment. However, this approach is not always correct.
The reason is that the air in a room with closed doors and air conditioning can be 2-5 times more harmful than outdoor air. If we continue to use the air conditioner in a small, enclosed space, after a few days, we may experience discomfort, a suffocating feeling, and a sense of oxygen deprivation.
The air in a room with closed doors and air conditioning can be 2-5 times more harmful than outdoor air.
This situation can be detrimental to the health of family members, especially children and the elderly, and may lead to other issues.
Therefore, a better approach is to create small gaps in the room for air circulation, along with using exhaust fans. Moreover, when purchasing an air conditioner, prioritize those with air purification functions to protect the health of your family members.
When the temperature drops (during the evenings, rainy days, etc.), turn off the air conditioner and open the doors to allow air circulation.
Here are some additional tips for a healthy and energy-efficient air conditioner use:
Adjust the room temperature reasonably: Adjust the temperature according to your needs and the space you are cooling. This will not only protect your health but also reduce electricity costs.
Avoid constantly turning the AC on and off: This habit increases electricity costs and can be detrimental to the unit.
Don’t set the temperature too low: Maintain the air conditioner temperature between 25-28 degrees Celsius to save energy and protect the unit.
Combine the use of electric fans: Use fans to enhance air circulation in the room, helping to cool the space quickly and efficiently.
Utilize the timer function for turning on/off
Although most modern air conditioners are equipped with a timer function for turning on/off, many people don’t pay attention to it or utilize it, even though it can be very useful. Especially during the night or when the user is sleeping, the body’s temperature naturally drops, and using the timer function helps prevent catching a cold and optimizes sleep.
Setting the air conditioner to turn off automatically for a certain period is not only beneficial for your health and sleep but also significantly reduces monthly electricity consumption.
Adjust the temperature reasonably
Users often try to set the temperature as low as possible to cool the room quickly. However, it’s important to note that the lower the temperature, the more energy the unit consumes. According to experts in the US, the indoor temperature should be maintained at around 25 degrees Celsius to minimize electricity consumption and avoid heat shock when moving between environments.
In reality, cooling a space takes a certain amount of time, and setting an extremely low temperature doesn’t improve the situation immediately; it only makes the unit operate at high capacity, wasting energy. Therefore, adjusting the temperature reasonably will make the air conditioner work efficiently and save energy.
