Summer in Japan continues to be so hot that it makes the news every year. Proper use of air conditioners is essential to prevent heat stroke, but at the same time, you are concerned about your electricity bill. Now that electricity bills are soaring, we will introduce you to smart ways to reduce the power consumption of your air conditioner while maintaining your comfort.

First of all, it is the most basic of basics, but it is more effective to increase the airflow rather than lowering the set temperature. Air conditioners consume the most electricity when lowering the set temperature. If you want to achieve the same perceived temperature, keeping the set temperature around 28 degrees and increasing the air volume to “strong” or using a fan or circulator to circulate cold air throughout the room will significantly save on electricity bills.

Next is ``regular cleaning of the filter.’’ When dust accumulates in the filter, extra power is required to suck in air, significantly reducing cooling efficiency. It is said that simply sucking up dust with a vacuum cleaner once every two weeks can save about 5% to 10% of electricity per year.

There is also a well-known saying that ``frequently turning on and off has the opposite effect.’’ An air conditioner consumes the most electricity when it is turned on and begins to cool the room, and once it reaches the set temperature, it continues to operate using less electricity. If you are going out for a short time (about 30 minutes to 1 hour), it is often better to leave the power on and leave it on “Automatic operation” instead of turning it off, resulting in lower electricity bills.

Another thing that is often overlooked is the environment of the outdoor unit. If the outdoor unit is exposed to direct sunlight or is blocked by objects, the heat will not be properly exhausted and electricity will be wasted. A secret trick to saving electricity is to create shade with blinds and keep the area well-ventilated.

Combine these tips to get through the summer comfortably and coolly without worrying about your electric bill.