An air conditioner is powerful and cools the air quickly, but it is costly to purchase and operate.
R4 500+ is the purchase price. We identified mid-range inverter systems ranging from R10 000 to R14 000, including installation, for a 25m2 room.
Electricity use is roughly 5003 500 watts per hour, and annual service is around R600.
You should be aware of the following:
- Because air conditioning eliminates moisture from the air, it has a drying effect.
- Professional installation is required for the item.
- The amount of electricity consumed varies greatly depending on the model. Inverter units with newer technology will cost more than non-inverter units, but they will cost 1550 percent less to run. Every air conditioning expert we spoke with said that the lower operating costs offset the higher purchase price.
- Keep the doors and windows closed to keep the cold air in for optimal efficiency.
- Regular maintenance will keep your air conditioner functioning at its best, saving you money on power and ensuring that your unit lasts a long time.
- In the winter, an air conditioner can be utilized to heat a room.
- Air conditioners can add value to your property, especially if you live in a hot or cold climate and keep your unit in good working order.
On their website, the Department of Energy has a helpful explanation of air conditioning and the various terms utilized.
Other cooling options
There are a number of things you can do this summer to keep yourself and your home cool without having to invest in pricey equipment.
- Keeping the sun out of your home is a good idea. During the day, close your curtains and blinds, or consider growing bushes and trees outside your windows. Outside windows can be shaded to keep direct sunlight out of the interior.
- Turn off any appliances or lights that aren’t in use; they produce a lot of heat.
- Consider using special gels to create cooling pillows and beds. A cooling pillow will set you back roughly R600, while a gel mattress would set you back between R4500 and R4500.
- Ice! A handful of ice on the back of your neck, or in a towel tied around your neck like top tennis players do, can significantly reduce your body temperature.
Enjoy the summer
You may cool off in a variety of ways without spending a lot of money. If you live in a very hot area of the country, air conditioning may be a worthwhile purchase in terms of both comfort and productivity. However, the old-fashioned fan can bring much-needed respite at a minimal cost, so don’t overlook it.
In our pricing comparisons, we used prices from Makro, Game, Builders Warehouse, Takealot, Mattress Warehouse, ACDirect, Technicool, and Van Biljoens. All of the items were priced as if they were brand new.
In South Africa, how much energy does an air conditioner consume?
Samsung air conditioners utilize less energy than their competitors, making them ideal for South African customers.
Energy-saving strategies are used by the air conditioners to cut power usage and save money for their owners.
Does aircon use a lot of electricity in South Africa?
According to the South African Department of Energy, switching to more energy-efficient air conditioners will save 400,000 megawatts of electricity per year.
Samsung’s Wind-Free range of air conditioners can save up to 68 percent of the energy required by typical versions.
How much electricity does a 12000 BTU air conditioner use in South Africa?
Air conditioners with 12,000 BTUs use 991 (EER: 12.1) to 1,333 watts (EER: 9, which is a bit low by today’s standards).
In South Africa, how much electricity does a 9000 BTU air conditioner consume?
NB: The air conditioner sizing information below does not apply to megathermal climates and is based on usage for 24 hours per day.
Power Consumption Of 5,000 BTU Air Conditioners (0.41 Tons/1.4 kW)
For rooms under 200 square feet, 5,000 BTU air conditioners are recommended (ideally less than 150 square feet).
The average wattage of a 5,000 BTU air conditioner is 446 to 580 watts (most of the units assessed for this average were window units, as 5,000 BTU split units are uncommon).
5,000 BTU air conditioners are commonly purchased for college dorms and modest apartments. Typically, they are window units. These window air conditioners are popular since they are easier to install and don’t require drilling holes in your landlord’s wall.
Monthly Energy Consumption Estimates:
How much energy does an air conditioner consume on a daily basis?
Air conditioners are a necessary piece of equipment in most households. In the summer, they circulate cold air around the house to maintain a comfortable temperature. It’s critical to know how much electricity air conditioners consume in order to determine how much money you can set aside for your energy plan.
Some houses just have one air conditioner, but many two-story houses have two air conditioners, which can significantly increase electricity use. Electricity consumption varies depending on a variety of circumstances. A residential air conditioner uses roughly 3,000 watts of electricity per hour on average. That’s 72,000 watts of electricity per day if you leave it on all day! Running it in ‘fan-only’ mode, on the other hand, will only use roughly 750 watts per hour.
Window air conditioners can use up to 1,440 watts for large models, 900 watts for medium models, and 500 watts for smaller versions, while portable air conditioners can use up to 4,100 watts. Manufacturers of air conditioners publish information on the label to help you figure out how much electricity you’ll need. Most air conditioners run for an average of 1,600 hours per year, or 132 hours per month (depending on season and location).
How much does air conditioning cost to use?
An air conditioner costs between $0.06 and $0.88 per hour to run on average. Let’s look at how much air conditioning costs on a monthly basis (assuming it runs for 8 hours per day). The cheapest option is $14.40 per month, while the most expensive option is $211.20 per month. The annual cost would be between $172.80 and $2534.40 based on these statistics.
Multiply the wattage by the number of hours of energy consumption to get an estimate of your daily energy costs. The daily cost ranges from $2.70 to $4.502 if the air conditioner consumes between 3,000 and 5,000 watts and runs for nine hours each day at a $0.10 per kilowatt cost.
What affects the cost and electricity usage of air conditioning?
The cost of air conditioners and the amount of electricity consumed can both rise as a result of a variety of variables. The size of the unit and the quantity of space it must cool will have a considerable impact on the figures. A 1,600 square foot single-unit home uses significantly less energy than a 3,000 square foot home3.
Another thing to think about is the unit’s energy efficiency. The EER (energy efficiency ratio) and SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) can be used to adjust the amount of energy used to run the equipment. Units with higher EER and SEER consume significantly less energy than those with lower numbers4.
When fans are utilized in conjunction with air conditioning equipment, the amount of electricity used is reduced. Keeping the units well-maintained, as well as changing the AC filters and outdoor coils on a regular basis, will help save money on electricity. Additionally, lowering the amount of outside air that enters the house and increasing fan usage will lower costs. Other approaches, such as maintaining a constant airflow rate, decreasing airflow path blockages, and removing heat-producing objects5, can also help.
Is it cheaper to run a window air conditioner or central air?
The average cost of installing a central air conditioner is $5,700. It might cost anywhere from $1,700 to $10,900, depending on the size of your home or structure. On average, a window air conditioner costs $295, but keep in mind that these devices can only cool a limited area. The price of the device can range from $75 to $1,000, depending on the size and brand. In comparison, the larger the home, the more cost-effective a central air conditioner is.
If you wish to cool the entire house, multiple window air conditioners will use more energy than a single properly sized central air conditioner. If you only need to cool a single room, though, a window air conditioner will be the most efficient option.
Do air conditioners use more electricity than fans?
A fan consumes 5 to 9 times less energy than an air conditioner. While the actual number varies by size and model, practically all of them fall under this category. An air conditioner uses a lot of electricity even on the lowest level to cool the air, whereas a fan saves a lot of money by just rotating a blade. If you want to know how much money you’ll save in your own house, an energy meter can help you figure it out.
Running window units costs one-third less than running a 2.5-ton central air conditioning system for the same length of cooling time. On the other hand, the size of your home will determine which cooling system is best for you and your family. Even if it is an energy star product, standard desktop or standing fans are always less expensive to run than air conditioning equipment because fans require significantly less energy to work effectively.
When is the most expensive time of year to run air conditioning?
During the summer, electricity prices are frequently at their highest. The cost of electricity varies from minute to minute. Most consumers, on the other hand, pay a price that is determined by the seasonal cost of electricity. Prices fluctuate due to variations in energy demand, generation sources, fuel prices, and power availability. Prices are generally higher in the summer, when total demand is high, because more expensive energy sources must be used to meet the increased demand6.
Because it costs more to distribute electricity to residential and corporate consumers, they often pay the highest electricity bills. Supplying power to industrial clients is more efficient and cost-effective since they use more electricity and may obtain it at higher voltages. As a result, the cost of electricity for industrial users is often close to the wholesale rate. Prices are influenced by the availability of power plants and fuels, as well as local fuel costs and pricing rules7.
When is the cheapest time of year to run air conditioning?
Customers are charged more for electricity used during “peak” afternoon hours, when demand is highest. During “off-peak” hours, when demand is minimal, electricity is the most affordable. Overall, the cheapest seasons are fall and spring since energy demand is lower because heaters and air conditioners are utilized less during these months.
Many people use heaters in the winter, which raises costs, and many rely on air conditioners in the summer to keep cool. Summer, on the other hand, is often a time of higher demand than winter, therefore summer electricity rates will be higher. The timing of peak and off-peak electricity use is, however, largely dependent on where you live and the weather conditions8.
What are the pros and cons of air conditioning?
There are various advantages to having an air conditioner. Air conditioners are especially good at cooling large rooms and keeping the house cool for long periods of time. Dehydration is also reduced in air-conditioned environments. Air conditioning benefits patients with respiratory disorders like asthma because it improves the air quality of the environment by eliminating allergens9.
The production of power for air conditioners alone emits around 117 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year, harming the environment and contributing to climate change, but for most people, the cost of using air conditioners is the primary disadvantage. The costs of installation and maintenance, particularly for central air conditioning systems, can be significant10.
Furthermore, while air conditioners benefit some people, they can cause skin dryness in others. The same is true for respiratory disorders; while it may benefit some, it can also harm others, resulting in respiratory infections and allergies, especially in older machines. Furthermore, air conditioners can be quite noisy. Finally, too much time spent in air-conditioned environments might lead to heat sensitivity.
What are alternatives to air conditioning?
Most individuals seldom investigate alternate options because air conditioners are so popular. Other forms of in-home cooling alternatives include11:
- Mini-split or ductless air conditioners
- Portable air conditioners or window units
- A swamp cooler is a type of evaporative cooler.
- Fans for the ceiling or for the ground
- Geothermal energy is used to heat and cool buildings (known as a heat pump)
How can I reduce my AC bill?
Overall, the most important thing you can do to save energy while cooling your home is to make sure you’re not cooling the outdoors as well. If your home isn’t brand new, the cold air inside is most likely leaking out through broken door and window seals, a poorly insulated attic, and other small gaps.
Close the blinds to decrease the sun’s potential to influence the temperature of your home. Instead of expecting your air conditioner to cool your house to 68 degrees, adjust the thermostat to 72 degrees, which will consume less electricity. You can save money as well, up to 10% every year or more. Finally, you are not required to use the same setting throughout the day. Change the parameters according to the time of day.
New air conditioners, on the other hand, benefit from the most recent technology and standards. Paying extra up front could save you money in the long run because newer versions are more efficient at the same work. Look for energy-efficient solutions with a 14 or higher Energy Star rating.
Finally, you may shade your property by planting trees around it. A smart thermostat makes it much easier to control the temperature and can save you up to ten percent on your energy bill. Consider getting ceiling fans if you don’t already have them to assist circulate the air. Heat rises, therefore if you don’t want to use air conditioning, spend more time on the lower floors of your home if you have one.
Let’s face it, there are easier methods to save money on air conditioning and energy costs than measuring output and turning off during peak seasons.
Visit our site and enter your address and/or ZIP Code to get started. You can connect your utility if Inspire’s clean energy supply plans are available in your area.
Is it true that air conditioning consumes a lot of electricity?
The energy efficiency of your air conditioner is influenced by a number of factors. As a result, estimations for your home may differ from internet estimates. While we’ll get into the details in the next section, let’s start with some figures in general. As you may expect, these differ based on the sort of air conditioner you have.
How Much Power Does A Central Air Conditioner Use?
During the summer, the average central air conditioner requires between 3000 and 3500 watts per hour. Air conditioners in Phoenix and other hot climes may operate at that temperature for the majority of the year. When your central air conditioner is set to ‘fan only,’ however, energy consumption lowers to around 750 watts per hour.
How Much Electricity Does A Portable Air Conditioner Use?
The typical power consumption of a mid-sized portable air conditioner is 2900 watts per hour. Larger devices can consume more electricity than even central air conditioners, consuming around 4100 watts per hour. Learn more about air conditioner sizes and how they’re calculated in this article.
Window Air Conditioner Energy Usage
900 watts per hour is used by a medium-sized window air conditioner. The smaller machines require around 500 watts each hour, whereas the larger units need 1440 watts.
What is the monthly electricity consumption of an air conditioner?
An air conditioner costs between $0.06 and $0.88 per hour to run on average. Let’s see how much air conditioning costs every month (assuming it runs for 8 hours per day): The cheapest option is $14.40 per month. $211.20 per month on the high end.
In South Africa, how much electricity does a fan consume?
Costing
Ceiling fans cost around R18 per month to maintain, whereas air conditioning units cost over R1150 per month to maintain, which includes air filter replacement and other maintenance. Ceiling fans use about 0.15c per hour of electricity, but an air conditioner uses about R3,60 per hour.
Is it cheaper to run a fan or an air conditioner?
It’s only a matter of time before the Australian summer arrives, bringing with it the kind of temperatures found on the sun’s surface.
If you don’t want to melt into a pool of sweaty goo this year, be ready for the seasonal onslaught and prepare your cooling solutions ahead of time.
Let’s contrast and compare the two:
Size
Fans are available in a variety of sizes, ranging from little desk fans to taller upstanding ones capable of blowing air around a room.
Air conditioners of various sizes are also available, ranging from portable air conditioners to boxy window coolers and enormous split systems.
While air conditioners are generally larger than fans, non-portable air conditioners such as split systems and window air conditioners take up wall space (which you may not be using otherwise) rather than floor space, so you may be able to keep your home’s layout streamlined while keeping things cool.
Portability
The most useful feature of fans is that they can be used almost anyplace. As needed, the smallest designs can be moved between the floor, the coffee table, and the kitchen bench.
Even the taller designs may be easily transported from room to room, allowing you to bring a little bit of refreshment with you as you go about your day.
While most air conditioners must be permanently installed in your home, some are portable and can be moved from room to room. However, in order for these portable air conditioners to function properly, they may need access to a suitable window to vent their exhaust.
Effectiveness
Let’s face it, a fan will never be enough to keep your house cool, at least not by itself. Fans, like windmills, do not operate in this manner:
A fan will only move the air around in your home and will not cool it. However, sometimes all you need is a little air to receive some respite and feel at ease at home.
You’ll need a supply of colder air (the freezer example above is NOT an effective solution), as well as a way for the hot air to depart your home, to properly cool your home with a fan.
One efficient approach is to wait until the evenings are cooler, then open the windows and doors and utilize the fan to circulate the cooler air around your home.
But make careful to re-seal your home before the weather starts to warm up again!
It’s considerably easier to use an air conditioner because it will refrigerate and actively cool the air in your home. You’ll have complete control over the inside atmosphere no matter what the weather is like outside if you maintain your home well sealed.
Energy use
In most cases, a fan will use less energy than an air conditioner, providing it is only used for light cooling.
However, running a fan indefinitely in a useless attempt to cool off your room can be a major power hog. Don’t do it!
Similarly, if you have an air conditioner, you should run it properly to avoid the dreaded Bill Shock the next quarter.
Don’t put too much strain on your air conditioner.
Instead of bringing the thermostat all the way down and cranking it full blast to make the room resemble Antarctica, set it a few degrees lower than the present temperature to take the edge off the heat.
Noise
Whether a fan or an air conditioner is the noisier equipment depends on the structure of your home and how the appliances are utilized on a case-by-case basis.
The larger and speedier the appliance, the noisier it will be in general. Air conditioners produce more noise than most fans because they are often larger and more powerful. Of course, the engines for the largest split system air conditioners are located outside the home, so there is less noise to worry about inside.
However, where and how an item is set up might account for a significant portion of its noise. Even a modest fan can be extremely irritating if it’s installed in an area with a lot of vibrating surfaces.
Another excellent technique to assess an appliance’s noise level is to look at what other people have to say about it! Appliances Online features a large number of user reviews, all of which are from people who have purchased and used the products in question. If you come across a fan or air conditioner that has a lot of positive reviews complimenting how quiet it runs, that could be the model for you!
Price/value
Overall, fans are less expensive to buy and operate than air conditioners, while they aren’t as effective at cooling your home. So, if you merely need to keep comfortable at home, a fan can be all you need to cool off.
However, if you’re ready to spend a little more money to have complete control over your home’s climate, an air conditioner could be a good investment.
