ShareKUWAIT: As air conditioners become more crucial during Kuwait’s summers, serving as our only savior from heat, engineer and AC expert Omar Alkhalifah, has highlighted common mistakes in their usage. He also shared tips on optimizing ACs efficiency, extending their lifespan, and minimizing their environmental impact.
Set at 26 or 27 degrees
One most common mistake that Khalifah pointed out is travelling for vacation and leaving the AC at its regular temperature, even though no one is at home to enjoy the cool air. Yet, he equally warned against completely turning it off, pointing out that this could result in issues such as mold and mildew growth, warping of wood or paper, damage to furniture, and potential harm to delicate electronics. Instead, he recommended setting it to 26 or 27 degrees, and leaving it on fan, which he called the “economic mode.” This setting maintains a comfortable yet efficient level of cooling that protects the house from damage while also reducing electricity consumption.
Don’t use water heaters
Working in the Ministry of Electricity and Water in Kuwait, Khalifah made another observation during summer: electricity demand peaks not only due to cooling systems but also because people keep their water heaters on, adding strain to the electricity grid. He advised turning off water heaters, questioning the logic of keeping the AC at 18 degrees while also running water heaters during the hot season.
Use a summer blanket
He also cautioned against being careless with AC usage, specifically addressing those who use thick winter blankets in summer and keep the AC at its lowest temperature. These seemingly small actions shouldn’t be ignored, as they lead people to unknowingly consume more electricity.
Central ACs vs individual AC units
For those looking to buy environmentally friendly AC units, Khalifah recommended opting for inverter air conditioners despite their higher cost, as they consume less power than conventional models. When comparing central ACs versus individual AC units, Khalifah preferred central systems for their efficiency in cooling entire homes with a single unit.
Expel the superheated air
Regarding car ACs, Khalifah offered bonus tips on maximizing efficiency. When parking under the sun, he advised against immediately turning on the AC. Instead, he suggested briefly rolling down the windows to expel the superheated air before switching on the AC. The purpose is to prevent the AC from working hard to cool down trapped hot air. He also recommended leaving an open glass bottle of water in the car. As the water evaporates slowly due to the heat inside the vehicle, it absorbs heat from the surrounding air, including the interior of the car. This gradual evaporation can create a slight cooling effect, helping to make the inside feel a bit less hot.
