Higher AC setting saves energy

Higher AC setting saves energy

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Building managements here have been told to save energy by
setting their air conditioners at 25 degrees Celsius, rather than
the usual 16 to 18 degrees. The question is, what difference does
it make?

An expert in air conditioners told The Jakarta Post on
Wednesday that increasing a room's temperature from the normal
temperature maintained by an air conditioner did indeed conserve
energy.

"Increasing the temperature means the compressor turns less
frequently," said Setiadi Gunawan, a technical director with a
big supplier of air conditioners in Tangerang, Banten.

For example, he said, if a 900-watt air conditioner (AC) with
one horse power needed three hours to make a room 22 degrees
Celsius, the same AC would need only one hour to make the same
room's temperature 25 degrees Celsius.

An AC's compressor automatically turns off if the temperature
in the room has reached the desired level. Because the room
temperature always adjusts itself to the temperature outdoors --
which is usually warmer -- the compressor does not have to work
as hard if the air conditioner is set at a higher temperature.

"The period before a compressor, set at 25 degrees Celsius,
switches on is much longer than if the air conditioner is set at
22 degrees Celsius," he explained.

According to Setiadi, most building operators in the capital
set the temperature of their buildings at between 20 and 22
degrees Celsius.

Sutiyoso has also called on building managements to cease the
operation of elevators and escalators in buildings with less than
four levels.

Some building managements have called the recent issuance of
Presidential Decree No. 10/2005 on energy conservation a blessing
in disguise as reducing electricity usage saves them money.

However, many building tenants have complained the power
conservation campaign has only made their work spaces hotter and
darker.