Staying cool this summer might be more affordable than you might think, with one popular Youtuber finding that the nightly cost of running the air conditioning is less than a cup of bubble tea.
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As the summer heat intensifies, many people find themselves torn between staying cool and worrying about rising electricity bills. The dilemma of whether to run the air conditioner all night or endure the heat is felt by many. However, a popular YouTuber recently conducted a test that may put some minds at ease.
Running an inverter air conditioner set to 27 C continuously for five days, or 100 hours, consumed a total of 42.8 kilowatt-hours, costing around NT$171 (US$5.30). That breaks down to just NT$1.6 (5 cents) per hour. For those who run their AC from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., the nightly cost would be less than NT$17 (52 cents). That’s cheaper than the price of a single bubble tea.
Their test also revealed that air conditioners consume the most electricity during the first hour after being turned on. After that, the energy usage gradually decreases. So if you're only stepping out for a short time, there could be no need to turn off the AC.
Taiwan Electrical Appliance Association Chair Liao Chuan-ping (廖全平) explains that because the compressor’s initial activation uses more power, turning off the AC for brief outings, such as 30 minutes, will not significantly reduce energy consumption. However, he does advise switching off the AC when going out for longer periods.
So as the summer temperatures continue to scorch, with these tips in mind, you might be able to keep yourself cool without stressing about the bill.