As the scorching summer heat arrives, nothing beats the refreshing feeling of stepping into an air-conditioned room, holding a sweet and icy slice of watermelon.
Air conditioning and watermelon are a match made in heaven, making the harsh summer not only bearable but also enjoyable. However, are you using your air conditioner correctly, especially when sleeping with it set at 26°C (78.8°F)? A seemingly harmless habit can have a significant impact on your health.
One of the side effects of spending too much time in air-conditioned spaces is the heat shock you experience when stepping outside. The sweltering heat can feel like a furnace, making you want to retreat back into the cool confines of your air-conditioned room.
At night, air conditioning almost becomes an indispensable sleep aid. Most people tend to set their air conditioners to 26°C during the day and leave it at that temperature even when they sleep. But is this the ideal temperature for a good night’s sleep and energy conservation?
To use your air conditioner effectively and maximize energy savings, there are a few guidelines to keep in mind.
First, avoid constantly turning your air conditioner on and off. Some people believe that turning it off for short periods, like when running an errand, saves energy. In reality, frequent on-and-off cycles cause the unit to consume more energy as it has to work harder to cool the entire room from scratch each time.
Tip: Only turn off your air conditioner if you’re leaving for an extended period, such as half a day or more. Otherwise, keeping it on continuously leads to more stable operation and lower energy consumption compared to erratic usage.
Second, when you enter a stuffy room, feel free to turn the air conditioner to the highest fan speed and lowest temperature—even as low as 16°C—to quickly cool the space. However, once the room reaches a comfortable temperature, adjust the settings to a more suitable level to avoid unnecessary energy waste.
Third, the sweet spot for energy efficiency is typically around 26°C. However, when you first go to bed, your body might feel warm, so setting it to 24°C can help you fall asleep more comfortably. Subsequently, you can gradually increase the temperature to 26-28°C as you see fit. This range is relatively pleasant, close to body temperature, and helps prevent drastic temperature differences, reducing the risk of heat shock or catching a chill in the middle of the night.
Fourth, when purchasing an air conditioner, pay attention to the energy label. Every unit should display information about its energy consumption. Choosing a model with a high energy efficiency rating will ensure long-term savings and prevent bill shocks when your electricity bill arrives.
