Is this a question you’ve been itching to ask?
Sometimes, you might wonder whether keeping your air conditioner turned on throughout the day and night is causing it distress. How long is too long, and what is the optimal usage duration you should stick to?
This question causes much internal struggle - on one hand, the unrelenting heat and humidity fuels the thirst to switch on your unit 24/7 to achieve icy cold bliss; on the other, you worry about it breaking down or running up electricity costs enough to power a country.
The simple answer is to avoid turning it on for a long time. Here are some reasons why:
It Burns A Lot of Energy
It’s no secret that the air conditioner chugs electricity more than many other electrical appliances.
For example, an air conditioner burns up to 10 times more energy than a fan when based on the typical figures. Even if you buy leading air conditioners with world-class energy-saving features like Mitsubishi Starmex 5 ticks or Mitsubishi Heavy 5 ticks, excessive usage still consumes a staggering amount of energy.
Thankfully, these smart and savvy air conditioners come equipped with sensors to regulate the temperature, but the bottom-line is, don’t use it when it’s not necessary.
It Chalks Up the Utility Bills
As mentioned above, your happiness in a cool room comes at a hefty price.
When it consumes a staggering amount of energy and is kept on for an entire day, expect your bills to skyrocket in tandem with it. Unless you’re prepared to fork out a shuddering amount of money just for your bills, use your air conditioner wisely.
Wears Down the Air Conditioner Faster
The more usage hours you put in, the faster your air conditioner is going to wear down and even experience problems.
Just like a person, making it work without any rest will strain it unnecessarily. This also means that you may need more regular servicing, which means forking out more money to maintain it.
It may also have mechanical problems and lowers its lifespan, so you may have to dig deep into your pockets to fund a new unit sooner than you think.
Contributes More Harmful Emissions
Yes, we know that air conditioners aren’t exactly environmentally-friendly. In fact, they release greenhouse gases simply by eating up so much electricity.
It’s ironic if you think about it: your cool air heats up the earth. And the hotter the day is, the more inclined people are to switch on their air conditioners, creating an endless cycle.
Therefore, to do your part and help save the world, even if just a little, prevent overusing your air conditioner. Use it only when you really need some respite from the heat instead of turning it on the whole day.
Dirties the Filter Fast
When your air conditioner is in constant operation, it means that its air filter is also getting filled fast. Filled with what, you ask?
Dirt, germs, bacteria, fungus, mold, mildew - any nasty particle you can think of that exists in the air and thrives in a damp space. Your air conditioner is a choice breeding ground for all these contaminants, and if you don’t clean your air filter as quickly as it is dirtied, you may be breathing in less-than-desirable organisms.