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.