
Installing air conditioners on walls frequently exposed to sunlight causes the units to operate more, consuming more electricity and deteriorating faster; using old air conditioners also results in significant electricity consumption...
1. Types of Air Conditioner Installations Leading to High Electricity Bills
Installing air conditioners on walls frequently exposed to sunlight causes the units to operate more, consuming more electricity and deteriorating faster; using old air conditioners also results in significant electricity consumption...
Installing on walls frequently exposed to sunlight
During operation, air conditioners tend to cool the area around them first, then spread cool air throughout the room. A hot wall will cause the unit to operate more, consuming more electricity. Additionally, placing the indoor unit in high-temperature areas significantly reduces the device's durability.

Placing the air conditioner where sunlight directly shines or in a corner will make the device operate more. Image: Down To Earth.
Experts advise users to install air conditioners in well-ventilated areas, free from obstructions, not in corners, and away from walls with direct sunlight. As for the outdoor unit, choose a cool location, preferably where there is plenty of airflow. Leave at least 20 - 30 cm of space between the outdoor unit and the wall for air circulation.
Using old air conditioners
To save costs, many families purchase old air conditioners, or buy used items imported from abroad, such as Japanese 'used' machines. This practice does more harm than good.

Old air conditioners consume more electricity due to worn-out motors. Image: Thu Huong.
Over time, the motor of the machine will weaken, reducing its cooling capacity. Operating inefficiently leads to higher electricity consumption. These devices also use outdated technology and are not energy-efficient like new products.
Additionally, using old appliances exposes users to the risk of malfunctions, leading to additional repair costs.
Placing the outdoor unit and indoor unit in the same space
Some families choose to install the indoor unit below, with the outdoor unit on the ceiling and separated by a thin layer of gypsum board. This is an incorrect installation method.

Installing the outdoor unit and indoor unit in the same space. Image: Le Tan.
Fundamentally, the outdoor unit functions to dissipate heat, so it should be placed in a well-ventilated area. Meanwhile, the indoor unit comprises a circulating pipe system, circulating refrigerant gas, and blowing air into the room for cooling. Therefore, these two devices need to be placed apart so that they can perform their respective tasks: the outdoor unit dissipates heat and the indoor unit cools the air.
If both the outdoor unit and indoor unit are installed in the same room, the cooling capacity will be restricted, even ineffective due to the mixing of two temperature streams. Consequently, both units will have to operate more, resulting in higher electricity consumption. Moreover, there is always the potential risk of fire or explosion, as the outdoor unit releases a significant amount of heat during operation.
Installing one air conditioner for two rooms
To save costs, especially in small spaces, some families connect one air conditioner to both rooms. This installation method is not efficient and consumes a lot of electricity.

Installing one air conditioner for two rooms is not recommended. Image: Reddit.
During operation, the indoor unit of the air conditioner blows air evenly into the room. If this component is obstructed by a wall, the cooling process will be slower, leading to increased operation and higher energy consumption. According to air conditioning technicians, this installation method is only suitable for rooms with partitions, where the indoor unit is placed higher than the partition to ensure even cooling.
Choosing the wrong capacity air conditioner
If an air conditioner with lower capacity than the room size is installed, the room will not cool effectively. Conversely, if a unit with higher capacity than the room size is installed, it will not utilize the equipment's efficiency fully and will also consume more electricity.
However, users should still consider purchasing an air conditioner with slightly higher capacity than the room size or volume to compensate for the heat generated by other appliances such as refrigerators, TVs, or areas with direct sunlight. Additionally, higher capacity helps to cool the room more quickly. Once the standard temperature is reached, the air conditioner will automatically shut off and operate the compressor to save electricity, allowing for rest periods.
Source: vnexpress.net
