Simple Aircon Habits To Save Money in Singapore – Energy efficiency is a growing concern for many Singaporean households, as many of us realize the need to save money to maximize our daily budgets. Poor aircon habits have led to large monthly utility bills for most Singaporeans, and it is time we changed that.
This article aims to provide ways for all Singaporean households to reduce their utility bills through simple and effective air conditioning habits. Read on – Simple Aircon Habits To Save Money in Singapore:
Table of Contents
How Aircon Works
The components of an air conditioning unit are simple: A fan motor pulls air into the unit and pushes it through coils that are filled with refrigerant gas. The gas is cooled by a refrigeration cycle and condensed into a liquid, evaporating back into a gas again. This process is repeated repeatedly until the air is cooled to the desired temperature.
What makes air conditioning units so efficient at cooling a room is that they are designed to cool large volumes of air quickly. There are two main air conditioning units: central and window units.
Central Air Conditioning Systems
Central air conditioning systems include a compressor and condenser unit that work together to cool your home or office. The compressor compresses a refrigerant gas, which is then sent through the condenser coil, where it expands and releases heat into the atmosphere. This process takes place repeatedly until the desired temperature is reached.
The cooled refrigerant then travels back to the compressor to begin the cycle again. The condenser coil is connected to a copper pipe called an expansion valve, which allows the refrigerant to flow through it when it expands inside the condenser coil but not when it contracts back to the compressor.
Window Air Conditioners
Window air conditioners are simple and inexpensive, but they’re also less efficient than central units. They’re only meant to cool a room, not an entire house.
Window air conditioners are made up of three main parts:
- The compressor is what powers the unit. It uses electricity to compress refrigerant gas to produce cold air.
- The condenser coil is located outside the window unit and takes in warm air from inside your home or office. The refrigerant releases heat into this coil to cool down before going back into the compressor.
- The fan blows air through the fins on either side of the condenser coil to cool down faster by removing hot air from inside your home or office more quickly.
How Often Should I Service Aircon
Air conditioning systems need regular maintenance and servicing to ensure optimal performance over time. Regular professional aircon servicing will help you avoid expensive repairs and downtime and extend the life of your system by as much as five times.
Generally, you should service your air conditioning unit once a year. The frequency with which you should service your system depends on several factors, including:
- Age of the air-conditioner: The older your air-con system is, the more likely it needs regular servicing. However, if your system is less than five years old, it does not necessarily mean that you have to service it frequently.
- The type of air-conditioner you have: Some types of air-conditioners require more maintenance than others do. For example, split systems are more expensive to repair and thus require frequent servicing than window units or portable room coolers, which are cheaper to fix and maintain.
- An environment where you live/work: If you live in an arid environment with low humidity levels, your unit will likely need more frequent servicing because it will have to work harder to keep up with the heat load in the room. The same applies if you work in an environment with high humidity levels!
Common Aircon Problems
The most common problems with air conditioning units are simple to fix, but if you don’t know what’s wrong with yours, you may call a professional who charges more than you’d like. Here are three common aircon problems and how to fix them:
Low Cooling Power
If your air conditioner doesn’t seem to be cooling as well as it should, there could be several reasons. The first thing to check is if your thermostat is set too high for the current weather conditions. You may also have a broken fan blade or motor that’s causing your unit to overheat, which will reduce its efficiency. This issue can usually be resolved by replacing the fan motor or blades.
Leaking Water
If your air conditioner starts leaking water from its drain hose (or any other part), then it’s likely that your unit has sprung a leak somewhere inside its condenser coil fins or evaporator coil fins.
These leaks are usually caused by corrosion or rust due to poor maintenance or periodic cleaning of your air conditioner’s internal parts like coils and fins. You’ll need to get professional help from experts to fix this problem.
AC Not Turning On
The most common air conditioner problem is when the unit does not turn on. The first thing to check is your circuit breaker or fuse box. If you have a fuse box, you need to check all fuses and replace any blown out.
If you have a circuit breaker, you will need to reset it with a screwdriver or something similar. Check the thermostat settings and make sure they are set correctly for cooling mode.
Hot Air Blowing Out
If your air conditioner is blowing out hot air instead of cool air, there may be something wrong with the thermostat or blower motor inside the unit itself. You will need to contact an HVAC technician if this occurs because it could cause damage to your unit if left unchecked for too long.
A/C System Freezing
This usually occurs when there is moisture in the system (from leaks in ductwork), which causes ice dams on the inside walls of your home’s A/C system. This can create a big mess inside your home if not taken care of quickly!
Tripping Circuit Breaker Repeatedly
If your air conditioner is tripping or blowing a fuse or circuit breaker repeatedly, it may be that the unit has a short in its wiring. If you have an electrician check the wiring and electrical panel, they should be able to determine if there is a problem with your wiring or electrical panel.
If there is no problem with the power source, then you will need to call in a professional HVAC technician for further diagnostics on your unit.
AC Running Constantly
The most common reason for this problem is when there is water in the condenser coil, and it freezes up. If this happens, the fan will continue to run constantly even though the compressor shuts off when it reaches its set point temperature.
The reason why this happens is that when water freezes up in the condenser coil, it restricts airflow, which causes the fan to run constantly until all of that ice melts away and drains out through a drain line at either end of your unit (usually located at the top side of your unit).
You can prevent this from happening by keeping leaves and debris out of those drain lines, so they don’t clog up and cause issues like this down.
Simple Aircon Habits To Save Money –
Basic Aircon Maintenance
When it comes to maintaining your air conditioning unit, you have to be very careful. You should have the proper knowledge and equipment to know exactly how to maintain it. There are many things that you need to consider when it comes to maintaining your air conditioner. Here are some tips on how you can maintain your air conditioning unit effectively:
Clean the Filter
The most basic tip to keep your aircon running smoothly is to clean the filter. It’s incredibly important to do this regularly because if you don’t, you’ll have a blocked duct that can cause major damage to your system.
To clean your aircon filter, simply remove it from its slot and vacuum or brush it gently using a soft brush or vacuum attachment. Then, wipe down the dust with a damp cloth before putting it back in place.
Check for Leaks
If you live in a place that gets plenty of rain, the chances are that you might have some small leaks around your aircon unit. If you notice water dripping out of any of your vents when it rains outside, notes where this is happening and call an A/C technician if necessary. Leaks can be dangerous if they go undetected for too long because they can cause flooding inside homes during heavy rainfall.
Changing Refrigerant
The refrigerant used in an AC system is very important as it allows proper cooling of indoor spaces and keeps them cool! Hence, if there is a leak in this refrigerant, then there are chances that it might affect its functionality adversely! Hence, if there is any leak in this refrigerant, make sure that you get it changed immediately.
Keep It Clean
Dust and dirt build-up can block airflow and reduce the efficiency of your air conditioning system, so it’s important to clean your aircon regularly. Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove dust from vents and filters.
Clean the Coil and Drain Pan Regularly
When cleaning your coil, use a soft brush to scrub away dirt and grime, then rinse with water before drying it with a clean paper towel or cloth. When cleaning the drain pan, use warm water with detergent to clean away any dirt or dust accumulated there over time.
The drain pan should also be cleaned regularly so that it doesn’t get clogged up with dirt or dust particles, which could cause mold growth inside your air conditioner’s condenser coils, leading to more expensive repairs later on down the road. Suppose left unchecked for too long!
Keep Your Unit Dry
Water is another enemy of air conditioners because it can damage electrical components inside them. To prevent this from happening, ensure that you don’t allow water to accumulate around your unit’s outdoor condenser coil by installing gutters along its outer edge or installing a drip pan underneath it to catch drips from above (see Resources).
Also, place some pea gravel on top of your soil so that rainwater doesn’t pool there when it drains off the roof.
How To Clean Aircon Yourself
Aircon cleaning can be a tedious job. But it is essential to clean it regularly so that the air conditioner can work efficiently. There are many ways to clean air conditioners at home, but not all are suitable for every model. Here are some easy steps for you to clean your air conditioning unit at home:
- Turn off the power supply to your air conditioner. This will prevent any damage caused by electricity while you clean it.
- Remove all parts that can be easily removed from the unit, such as the grill cover, front panel, and filter cover. You may need a screwdriver to remove these parts depending on the type of unit you have installed at home or the workplace.
- Vacuum all dust and debris from inside the unit using an upholstery brush attachment on an electric vacuum cleaner or a crevice tool on a wet/dry vacuum cleaner if possible, as this will allow you to get rid of all dirt in hard-to-reach areas within the machine’s casing and also get rid of spider webs that may be blocking some parts.
- Check your filter.
- Clean the lint from the filter using a vacuum cleaner or a brush.
- Disassemble the parts of your air conditioner and wipe them with a damp cloth or water mixed with vinegar or lemon juice. This will remove any dirt and dust from the coils, fans, and other unit parts.
- Do not use any harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia, as they can damage your unit’s internal parts and make it useless!
Best Aircon Temperature in Singapore
The best aircon temperature in Singapore is something that many people have different opinions about. However, it’s important to note that everyone has different preferences regarding the air conditioning temperature in their homes or offices.
Some people prefer a cooler environment, while others prefer a warmer environment. The ideal temperature will depend on how well you can tolerate being hot or cold and what you need your room for.
For example, if you’re spending time in the room during the day and then sleeping there at night, you might want to set the temperature lower so that it doesn’t get too hot for you during the day or night. If you’re only going to be in the room during the day, though, then set it higher might be better for your comfort level.
In general, most people tend to feel comfortable at temperatures between 18°C and 24°C. At these temperatures, our bodies can cool down naturally through sweating and breathing out warm air through our mouths and noses.
Simple Aircon Habits To Save Money –
Importance of Aircon Installation
Aircon installation is an essential step in any home. It is essential to choose the right air conditioner for your home and install it properly. The main benefits of installing AC are as follows.
- Comfort: An air conditioner will help you stay cool in the hot weather. You can save money on electricity bills and reduce your carbon footprint.
- Health: Air conditioning is one of the most effective ways to prevent allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems. In addition, it also helps you avoid many other health issues like heat stroke or dehydration due to extreme weather conditions.
- Long-term Benefits: Installing a new air conditioner is an investment that will pay off over time. It reduces your monthly electricity bill significantly and extends the life of your home appliances such as computers, TVs, refrigerators, etc.
- Temperature control: The main reason why people use air conditioners is to control the temperature inside their homes or offices. An air conditioner will keep the temperature inside your house at a comfortable level to enjoy yourself without worrying about sweating too much or getting sick due to high temperatures outside.
Simple Aircon Habits To Save Money in Singapore – Final Word
With the hot and humid weather, it’s not surprising that many people are spending a lot of time thinking about aircon. But, most people don’t think about how to save money on their aircon bills daily.
They just want to keep cool as quickly and as cheaply as possible. This article – Simple Aircon Habits To Save Money in Singapore discusses some simple habits you can adopt to save money in your day-to-day life – from aircon.