Evaporative air conditioning (AC) is a popular and efficient cooling option for dry and hot environments. These units work by drawing in hot air from the environment and cools it by passing it through moist pads. The cooled air is then circulated in the room, thereby lowering the temperature. In this article, we will explore the energy consumption and cost of running an evaporative AC and provide tips on how to save money while using this appliance.
How To Use This Calculator
Using this energy calculator is a simple and will help you determine the costs of running your appliance. Click on ‘Calculate’ to use the predefined values, or enter your daily usage in hours, appliance watts, and your current energy costs in dollars. The calculator will provide you with the daily, monthly, and yearly results. It’s important to ensure the accuracy of the information entered to get the most accurate results.
Hours Used Per Day
Enter the number of hours you estimate the appliance will be on throughout the day. To use fractions of an hour please use a decimal point in the form.
For example: 1 hour and 30 mintes would be 1.5, and 3 hours and 15 minutes would be 3.25
Power Used in Watts
The calculator already includes a default average wattage. If your appliance uses a different wattage then enter it in the calculator.
Your Energy Rate in kWh
The calculator includes an average energy rate (price in $/kWh) to use for the calculation. This may not be the exact price that you’re currently paying for electricity. If you know your energy rate please enter your price per kilowatt-hour.
Energy Consumption
The amount of energy consumed by an evaporative AC depends on its wattage and the hours of usage. The default wattage for this appliance is 2600 watts. Therefore, if you use it for 5 hours a day, the daily energy consumption would be:
2600 watts × 5 hours = 13,000 watt-hours (Wh) or 13 kWh
To calculate the monthly energy consumption, multiply the daily usage by the number of days in a month. Assuming 30 days in a month, we have:
Daily usage × Number of days = Monthly usage
13 kWh × 30 = 390 kWh
Finally, to calculate the yearly energy consumption, multiply the monthly usage by 12 months. We have:
Daily usage × 365 = Yearly usage
13 kWh × 365 = 4,745 kWh
Why It Is Important
The energy consumption of any household appliance is critical in today’s world where energy costs are rising. It is essential to understand how much energy your appliances consume and how to reduce your energy bills. Moreover, reducing energy consumption is good for the environment, as it lowers carbon emissions that contribute to climate change. Knowing how much energy your appliances consume empowers you to make informed decisions and choose energy-efficient options that help you save money and protect the environment.
Cost in Dollars of Energy Usage
The cost of operating an evaporative AC depends on the energy price per kilowatt-hour (kWh). The current energy price is $0.12/kWh. To calculate the daily cost, multiply the daily usage by the energy price:
Daily usage × Energy price = Daily cost
13 kWh × $0.12/kWh = $1.56/day
To determine the monthly and yearly costs, use the same formula by substituting the monthly and yearly usage:
Daily cost × Number of days = Monthly cost
$1.56 × 30 = $46.80/month
Monthly cost × 12 = Yearly cost
$46.8 × 12 = $561.60/year
Money-Saving Tips
- Use a timer: Use a timer to switch on the evaporative AC only when necessary. For example, set the timer to switch it on 30 minutes before you arrive home from work.
- Keep it clean: Regularly clean the filters and pads to maintain the appliance’s efficiency. Dirty filters and moist pads reduce airflow and can increase energy consumption.
- Use it in the right conditions: Evaporative ACs work best in dry and hot environments. Using them in humid conditions can reduce their efficiency and increase energy consumption.
- Close windows and doors: Ensure that all windows and doors are shut when using an evaporative AC. This helps to maintain the cool air inside the room and reduce energy consumption.
By implementing these tips, you can save money on energy bills while still enjoying the benefits of an evaporative AC.
