why is air condition expsensive to run?

Answer 1

because AC units use loads of electricity but aren't very efficient

Answer 2

If you have a split system air conditioner, you are running 3 motors, a compressor and 2 fans. All 3 use electricity and during startup, have a high amperage draw.

The human body cannot detect a difference of less than 3 degrees but that difference in your thermostat setting can save quite a bit on your energy use, so turn the stat up a couple of degrees. Leaving the indoor blower to run continuously may cost a bit more but will increase your comfort by reducing air stratification (hot and cold spots) and you can adjust your temperature a little to still be comfortable. You will also get better air filtration.

For the heating season, adding a humidifier will save you quite a bit in energy costs as moist air requires a lower temperature to give the same heat effect. Since winter air is much drier than summer air, humidification is very important for comfort, it's also healthier for lungs and sinus.

New regulations in efficiency ratings have produced much more energy efficient equipment. It may be worth looking into replacing your old system. There is a formala for "payback cost". This is the amount of time you would use a new system to save more on energy than the cost of the equipment.

Answer 3

Most portable 'Home' type air-conditioning units run at about 1KW to 1.8KW for the heating element side of things. That's 1,000 to 1,800 watts. Get the distributor to assist you in working out the running costs for the Air-Con side of things. This usually is much lower than the heater for winter use (if included). If the running costs are over your maximum budget, forget it. Look at something else.
Some small industrial units offer a running cost of 1.2KW with an output of around 10,500btu's for the Air-Con only. That covers about 82 cubic meters, a small 2 bed-roomed bungalow. Worth a thought. We worked out running a unit such as this on a small 2 bedroomed bungalow. It would cost an extra 3 weeks worth of electricty for each week used (if the temperature is not maintained at a constant).


UNIT TYPE Output in Kw£ per Year to run

Wall Mount 2.6 36
Wall Mount 3.5 50.
Wall Mount 4.0 62
Wall Mount 4.6 82
Wall Mount 5.2 96
Wall Mount 5.8 106
Wall Mount 7.0 134
Wall Mount 8.2 142
Cassette 5.0 106
Cassette 7.0 134
Cassette 8.2 157
Cassette 10.5 184
Cassette 12.0 220
Ceiling/Floor 5.0 104
Ceiling/Floor 5.6 116
Ceiling/Floor 7.0 132
Ceiling/Floor 8.8 157
Ceiling/Floor 10.0 184
Ceiling/Floor 12.0 220
Ceiling/Floor 15.0 239

Answer 4

I'll assume you're asking about A/C on a car.
Yes it will increase your fuel consumption as most compressors take 10HP off the engine when they are on a compression cycle, making it work harder and use more fuel. As for expensive? Only if you keep it on ALL the time. Or you get a stone through the condenser at the front of the car (£300 upwards for the part alone!)

Answer 5

This is the cars and transportation section? Because it's a heat pump and it takes quite a lot of energy to pump that much heat out of the air. On my Passat I get about 24mpg at 80mph in the summer and 26.5 in the winter. The difference is partly the a/c load and partly warm air giving less power than cold.

Answer 6

It's expensive because it goes against the rules of nature, where heat flows from hot to cold. Look into the 3rd law of thermodynamics to get the idea.
However, using airconditining to heat a place is very very efficient, in fact more than 100% efficient - amazing but true!

Answer 7

In a car it uses a drive belt powered by engines revolution to run the
air cons refridge unit.Putting load on engine uses more fule so more expensive. TA DA

Answer 8

Air conditioning is expensive to run because-
It uses lotsssssssssssss of electricity.
Like a furnace is expensive too,
It uses lots of electricity or gas.
I know the answer to this question too well
because heating and cooling takes all my money.

Answer 9

why does everyone seem to think you are refering to air con in buildings when your question is in cars and transport.
the reason car air con is expensive to run is cos you have a big compressor pump driven by the engine this makes the engine work harder and use more fuel

Answer 10

It does use more fuel when aircon is on in the car but you will use a whole lot more if you was to drive around with the windows down