How to save Energy Costs By
Using Air Con Effectively

It may not seem like it but summer is here and many people are starting to turn on their air-conditioning units. But how many of us know how to use air con effectively so that business energy bills don’t rocket?

Many businesses now have air conditioning installed but surprisingly many of us still don’t know how to use it effectively to ensure it’s not simply increasing business energy bills. Not understanding how air conditioning works may mean you are wasting money.

If you open your windows when it’s hot and then turn on the air conditioning – stop. This is a waste of energy and consequently money. Air conditioning is only effective if the windows are closed. If you open the windows after or while the air conditioning is on then hot, possibly humid air will enter the office and the air con will have to work even harder to cool down the room.

So, to ensure your office remains cool don’t open the windows for several days once the temperature inside has dropped. Your air conditioning unit not only cools the air down but also acts as a dehumidifier. So if you open the windows the air will become humid again and the system will have to use more energy to dehumidify the air again.

But what temperature should the unit be set at?

The Carbon Trust suggests that most people feel comfortable at 18-26C as long as the temperature inside is related to the temperature outside. Don’t forget that staff and any visitors will be dressed for outdoor conditions so if it’s hot they will be in cooler clothes. The Carbon Trust therefore suggests that the temperature indoors should be no more than 3C below the outside temperature. This means that if it’s 26C outside then the indoor temperature should be set at 23C. But don’t just rely on these suggested temperatures. Look at your employees and if they are putting clothes on when they get to work then something’s not quite right. It may be that the air con is set too high.

Finally, try to prevent the office from getting overheated in the first place. Close any blinds or curtains to keep the sun out and the room cool. This will therefore reduce the need to cool the room down in the first place.

Businesses can reduce their energy costs by using an online comparison site to compare prices but if you are not using your air con correctly you may still be spending more than you need to on your business energy.

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