Summer has brought with it the first heatwave of the year, and with it, high temperatures that result in stifling heat, which can only be combated by turning on the air conditioning during the hottest hours of the day. However, depending on when it is running, your electricity bill could skyrocket. The cheapest time to cool your home is between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., when the price drops to 1.72 €/MWh.
Similarly, the price remains low and good for the household economy until approximately five in the afternoon, making this the ideal time to run other household appliances, such as washing machines, dishwashers or charge electric vehicles, among others. In line with this, recent studies have shown that every hour of air conditioning use per day can increase electricity bills by between £7 and £9 per month, depending on the model of the appliance and the tariff contracted.
Most expensive times to use air conditioning
Despite being a lifesaver in the summer months to combat the stifling heat and high temperatures, air conditioning is undoubtedly one of the most energy-consuming appliances in the home. This is due to the power of the appliance, its energy efficiency, the temperature at which it is set and the insulation of the home, which are key factors that determine how much the electricity bill increases throughout the month. It is therefore essential to know at what times of the day it is best to have this appliance plugged in.
In this regard, an air conditioner that is running four hours a day throughout the month of July, for example, can see an increase in your electricity bill of around £35. However, this calculation varies depending on the geographical area, the efficiency of the appliance and the electricity rates contracted. Nevertheless, reducing the time of use and keeping the air conditioner at moderate temperatures can mitigate this impact. Therefore, throughout today, there is a greater contrast between the cheapest and most expensive hours, which highlights the importance of planning consumption.
In short, taking advantage of the cheapest hours and avoiding night-time peaks when using air conditioning is key to improving efficiency and reducing your electricity bill. In fact, between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m., the price shoots up to over 110 euros/kWh. After that time, it drops, but remains above 105 euros/kWh. Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., the cost barely exceeds 1.70 euros/kWh.
OCU tips for saving on your electricity bill
The Organization of Consumers and Users has launched a series of recommendations for saving on your electricity bill when using air conditioning, without sacrificing comfort and keeping your home cool to cope with the heat. These tips include the following:
- Set your air conditioning to 26 degrees, a temperature that balances comfort and efficiency.
- Keep doors and windows closed to prevent cold air from escaping.
- Use ceiling or standing fans to supplement cooling.
- Close blinds and curtains during the sunniest hours of the day to reduce the indoor temperature.
- Perform regular maintenance on the appliance, such as cleaning filters to improve efficiency.
- Take advantage of cheaper electricity rates, if you have a time-of-use tariff.
