Tips for saving on utility bills by using the air conditioner efficiently https://n.news.naver.com/article/056/0011488935?ntype=RANKING Government raised electricity rates by 8 won per kilowatt-hour (kWh) starting from the 16th of last month. This is the fifth increase since the second quarter of 2022. Concerns about electricity bills are growing as summer approaches. Using the air conditioner excessively during hot weather can result in a "cooling bill bomb," so knowing the correct usage methods can greatly help save on electricity costs. ■ Check the air conditioner type: 'Constant Speed/Inverter'... Start with a strong cool setting at first When turning on the air conditioner for the first time from a high temperature, regardless of the type of air conditioner, it is most efficient to set it to a strong cool setting. After the temperature has dropped, for constant speed air conditioners, it is recommended to turn them off when it feels cool and turn them back on when the temperature rises again. For inverter air conditioners, it is better for energy savings to raise the desired temperature if it has become cool. The difference between constant speed and inverter types lies in the compressor motor. Constant speed means that the motor runs at a fixed speed, while the motor in inverter types can adjust its speed.With constant speed types, the motor runs at the same speed regardless of whether the air conditioner is set to high or low. Therefore, if the temperature has dropped, it would be better to turn it off for a while and then turn it back on. For inverter types, it is more energy-efficient to let them run slowly and continuously rather than turning them off and on, consuming energy each time. It is similar to pressing the brake and then accelerating in a car, where more force is exerted. Experts advise that when you are away for 1-2 hours, it is better to leave the inverter air conditioner on in terms of energy consumption efficiency. Although most of the recent air conditioners are inverter types, it is still recommended to check before use. ■ How much can you save by reducing 1 kWh? Then, you may wonder how much you can actually save by conserving electricity. Here is a method promoted by the Korea Energy Agency. https://n.news.naver.com/article/056/0011488935?ntype=RANKING It is said that saving 1 kWh can save approximately 260 won. If you use a product with the highest energy efficiency rating, you can save about 1.08 kWh per day, which adds up to around 32 kWh per month. In terms of money, that's about 8,400 won. When comparing the annual power consumption of popular products with that of products with the highest energy efficiency rating, there is a significant difference. Even if the price of the product is higher, in the long run, it may be more advantageous to buy and use appliances with higher energy efficiency ratings. https://n.news.naver.com/article/056/0011488935?ntype=RANKING Although not listed in the table, rice cookers, microwave ovens, and bidets consume more electricity in households than expected. For rice cookers, you can save about 5,000 won per month by turning off the "keep warm" function for 9 hours a day. Additionally, on a monthly basis, you can save approximately 1,500 won (0.19 kWh/day) by thawing food naturally before using the microwave, about 780 won (0.1 kWh/day) by turning off the heat function of the bidet, and about 700 won (0.09 kWh/day) by gathering laundry and running the washing machine. All right reserved : https://n.news.naver.com/article/056/0011488935?ntype=RANKING
