The air conditioner is now increasingly present in the homes of Italians, as well as in public and private offices. Entering a pleasantly cool environment when the outside temperature exceeds thirty degrees is without a shadow of a doubt pleasant, while always being careful to maintain a not excessively marked difference between inside and outside. Air conditioners and air conditioners can, however, create high consumption in terms of electricity, like other electrical equipment such as ovens and washing machines. The relief you feel when entering a cool environment can be so frustrated by excessive consumption and its exorbitant bills.
How can we find the right balance between climate wellbeing and protection of our wallets and the environment?
A few simple measures, if you know how to implement them, can help to limit waste. Here is a brief guide to the intelligent and more economical use of air conditioning.
The first suggestion concerns the time of purchase, when it is necessary to evaluate not only the purchase cost but also and above all the energy class of the appliance; the models of class A or higher guarantee a lower consumption and therefore allow you to amortize in a short time a higher initial cost, as well as significantly reduce CO2 emissions into the air.
If you plan to use the air conditioning continuously (or at least for many hours in a row), it is advisable to choose a device with inverter technology, which allows you to better adapt the power and reduces on and off times.
It would be a good habit to periodically clean the filters, both to avoid the dispersion of bacteria or mold that can be nested in the air and to allow the air conditioner to work always at its best, with lower consumption of energy and an advantage for the environment.
The positioning of the appliance is also essential for optimal operation, so it should be remembered that nothing should obstruct the flow of air (curtains, furniture or other) and that the right location is in the upper part of the wall: cold air tends to fall, causing the hot air to rise again, and less effort on the part of the air conditioner results in lower consumption and a lighter bill.
When it is not strictly necessary, it is better to try to limit the use of the appliance during the night: the air conditioning during the night can, in fact, be harmful and cause annoying illnesses out of season. Many models are equipped with a timer and night function to make optimal use of it while you sleep.
Most of the more recent appliances have a dehumidification function, which can also be used as a useful alternative to cold air if the difference between the internal and external temperatures is not excessive: reducing the percentage of humidity in the room is equivalent to making you feel a few degrees less, and the dehumidifying function consumes much less energy than the cooling function.
We should also not forget the tax benefits provided by the legislation, such as the Irpef deduction of 65% for models with energy-efficient heat pumps that replace an obsolete system, or the reduction of VAT to 10% for the purchase of an energy-saving model. Another incentive is represented by the Thermal Account 2.0, which although directed mainly to other types of intervention can ensure the reimbursement of up to 65% of the expenditure for the new air conditioning system, but only within the limits of the state fund and through a more complex bureaucratic procedure.
There are also other simple techniques that can help to reduce the use of the air conditioner, such as combining it with a ceiling fan or turning on the appliance only in the most used rooms.
By following these small tips, you will be able to save on your bill and protect the environment more by enjoying an optimal temperature even in the hottest summer.