It's the end of the dog days, but you still don't know how to use your air conditioner? How to save more electricity? The key is to look at...

Although the dog days of summer have come to an end, many places in southern my country are still fighting a "protracted war" against the high temperatures. The temperature does not go down, and the air conditioner does not go out. How many days has your air conditioner been running non-stop? However, the air conditioner is not as simple as you think by turning it on and off with a remote control. Is there a possibility that you have been using the air conditioner in the wrong way?

01 Why does the air conditioning cooling effect become worse as the outdoor temperature gets higher?

You read that right, air conditioners also have their own "temper". Strictly speaking, the operating temperature of conventional household air conditioners is -5℃-42℃. Heat pump air conditioners cannot heat below -5℃ in winter, but electric heating air conditioners are not a big problem. When the outdoor temperature exceeds 42℃, the temperature protection of the compressor in the air conditioner will be activated, and the air conditioner will not be able to exchange heat with the outside world, so it is inevitable that it will "strike". Therefore, avoid having debris around the outdoor unit. When installing, try to place the outdoor unit in a well-ventilated and out of direct sunlight location.

02 My family is arguing about whether to turn off the air conditioner when going out to take out the trash/walk the dog/buy groceries...

A heartbreaking truth is: going out for a short time and turning off the air conditioner does not save electricity!

As economic conditions improve, many families choose to buy more energy-saving variable frequency air conditioners. The so-called "variable frequency" is a conventional air conditioner with a frequency converter installed. The main unit of the variable frequency air conditioner automatically changes speed steplessly, and it can automatically provide the required cooling (heating) according to the room conditions; when the indoor temperature reaches the expected value, the main unit of the air conditioner runs at a constant speed that can accurately maintain this temperature, achieving "non-stop operation" to ensure the stability of the ambient temperature.

If the air conditioner is turned on and off frequently, the compressor will consume a lot of electricity when it starts, which is not only a waste of electricity, but also easily causes damage to the core compressor and reduces the service life of the air conditioner. After research and testing, it is found that when leaving for a short time within three or four hours, the home air conditioner can be left on and adjusted to the minimum cooling gear. Not only will the temperature be more suitable when you return home, but the electricity consumption is equivalent to the electricity required to turn off the air conditioner and re-cool it. Therefore, professional advice is: do not turn the air conditioner on and off frequently, and do not turn it off when leaving for a short time.

And even if the air conditioner is turned on all the time, it won't be "tired out". If you don't believe me, just look at the router in the corner...

03 If you want to keep cool and save electricity, don’t ignore health issues when using air conditioners

Many people turn on the air conditioner to the lowest temperature and maximum air volume as soon as they enter the house, hoping to cool down the room as quickly as possible; some smart homes can already remotely control the cooling mode in advance.

Although technology has changed our lives, great temperature differences can cause certain harm to the human body, especially frequent changes in temperature or sudden changes from a high temperature environment to a low temperature environment, which can easily cause blood vessels to contract or expand sharply. This "heat expansion and cold contraction" effect will increase the burden on the heart, affect blood circulation, and may cause cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as hypertension, angina pectoris, and stroke. Frequent temperature changes can also interfere with the human immune system, making it difficult for the body to adapt to changes in the external environment, thereby increasing the risk of respiratory diseases such as colds and influenza. Simply lowering the temperature will increase the energy consumption of air conditioners. In the long run, your wallet can't bear it!

It is recommended that you choose the appropriate temperature and air volume according to the situation, and avoid direct blowing. The air conditioner is set at 26℃ in summer. This is a relatively reasonable cooling temperature proposed after testing and demonstration by many experts, which meets the comfort of most people and energy conservation and environmental protection. You can also set the automatic shutdown before going to bed, use blackout curtains or blinds to block direct sunlight, etc., to avoid unnecessary energy waste.

04 Does air conditioning “dehumidification” provide better cooling?

Heavy rainfall this year is really frequent, and the indoor temperature is even hotter. Many people have begun to recommend using "dehumidification" instead of "cooling", but this actually requires specific analysis of specific issues.

The cooling mode uses the air conditioning refrigerant as a carrier to transfer heat to the external environment, thereby lowering the indoor temperature. During the cooling process, the water vapor in the air condenses into water, thereby indirectly reducing the indoor humidity. The dehumidification mode focuses on reducing the indoor humidity. The air is cooled down through the cooling process, and the water vapor in it condenses into water droplets, thereby removing indoor moisture.

Dehumidification mode cannot completely replace cooling mode. However, in humid or rainy weather, dehumidification mode is still recommended. Because in the same 25℃ environment, the feeling of 30% humidity and 90% humidity can be very different! Using dehumidification mode to condense water vapor in the air and discharge it outdoors can greatly reduce indoor humidity and effectively alleviate indoor stuffiness. At the same time, be sure to close doors and windows to reduce the entry of outdoor water vapor.

In addition, don't forget to clean the air conditioner in time. Dust and bacteria will adhere to the air conditioner during use. Regular cleaning of the filter and interior of the indoor unit can reduce the spread of germs. It is recommended to clean it once every one or two months during summer use. The outdoor unit is not required to be cleaned due to different installation methods. It is generally recommended to clean the dust every two or three years to help save energy, and it should be ensured that there are no debris around the outdoor unit to affect heat dissipation.

Author: Li Jinhao, Director of the Science Popularization Department of the Chinese Society of Refrigeration, Senior Engineer

Produced by: Science Popularization China x China Refrigeration Society

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