In summer, the saying about the "golden temperature" for air conditioning to save energy—26°C—starts to flood the screen. Many people hold back their sweat while thinking to themselves, "If I hold back, the electricity bill will be lower," but is this really the case? Now we are to prevail over this widespread "energy-saving myth".

 

I. Where does the saying come from?

 

As for its origin, it comes from the suggestions of many energy institutes and electricity companies. They recommend citizens set an air conditioning temperature of 26°C or above, which is based on the overall power burden management rather than the most energy-saving plan targeting each unit of air conditioner.

In other words, this is a suggestion on a large scale, which may not be suitable for every family and type of air conditioner.

 

II. Real factors that influences the AC power consumption

 

Relying on the temperature adjustment to save energy is not enough. The factors below may affect the power consumption more:

 

1. Air conditioning efficiency ratio (EER/APF)

• The higher the efficiency ratio, the stronger the cooling ability per unit electricity consumption and the more energy saved at the same temperature setting.

 

2. The airtightness and thermal insulation of the room

• Air leaks from doors and windows and poor wall insulation will greatly increase the burden on air conditioning and lead to increased power consumption.

 

3. Duration and frequency of use

• Even if we set it at 26°C, if we keep it on all day long, then it will consume more power compared with 24°C but intermittent use.

 

4. Difference between indoor and outdoor temperature

• The higher the difference, the higher the burden on the compressor. For example, if the outdoor temperature is 36°C, then the settings of 26°C and 28°C have different consumptions of electricity.

 

 

III. Common misconceptions about 26°C

 

1. It must be energy-saving at 26°C.

• Actually, if the room is in high humidity and poor airtightness, it would consume more electricity while the air conditioner needs more time to keep the set temperature.

 

2. 26°C is the most comfortable.

• Comfort is related to not only the temperature but also the humidity, airflow speed, and air mobility. Many users complain that the temperature still felt "stuffy" or "humid" at 26°C.

 

IV. Using the air conditioner correctly can truly save electricity

 

If you want to make the air conditioner cool and save electricity, you may try the following suggestions:

• Choose high-efficiency products: Try to buy air conditioners with high APF levels (such as inverter air conditioners), which are more energy-efficient for long-term use.
• Reasonable temperature setting: It is recommended to set it between 26~28℃ in summer and adjust the body sensation by combining wind speed and dehumidification function.
• Clean the air conditioner filter regularly:  Ensure that the air duct is unobstructed, which helps improve efficiency.
• Use with electric fans/circulation fans: Speed ​​up airflow, reduce body temperature, and increase the air conditioner by 1~2℃.
• Avoid frequent switching: Frequent startup will cause the compressor to run at a high frequency, which consumes more electricity.

 

 

V. Don’t be superstitious about numbers; find your “golden temperature.”

 

It's better to adjust the temperature flexibly according to your room environment, air conditioner model, and comfort pursuit rather than blindly insist on the saying, "26°C is the most energy-saving temperature". The real energy saving is the combination of scientific use and the proper product.

 

Next time you turn on the air conditioner, try to find the golden temperature that suits your home based on the actual situation. This is the smart way to save electricity and feel comfortable.

 

 

For more information on energy-saving air conditioners, installation advice, or customized solutions, please visit our official website or contact the KRG customer service team.

 

A lot of users think that leaving the air conditioner unused for months or even one year will not cause any problems. However, not using air conditioners for a long time will not only influence the cooling effect but also damage the machine itself in many aspects. This article will clarify the reasons and come up with some maintenance tips.

 

I. Potential problems

 

1. Compressor aging, poor lubrication

 

The compressor is the heart of the air conditioner; not using it for a long time will lead to lubricating oil sedimentation and oil film tearing. It will add more friction when starting the air compressor and damage the spare parts inside, even burning the compressor.

 

2. Parts getting damp and rusty inside

 

Both the indoor and outdoor units include metal parts. If not used for a long time without moisture prevention measures, the PCB board and fan motor will get damp and age due to the humidity in the air.

 

3. Dusty filter with breeding bacteria

 

If there is no regular cleaning, the filter will accumulate dust, pollen, and even mold. Not using it for a long time, the air conditioner will be the warm bed for the bacteria. Dirty air will be blown into the room when staring.

 

4. Unseen refrigerant leakage

 

If the air conditioning system has a slight leakage of the refrigerant and is not used for a long time, then it will not be detected timely. Once we go back to use it and find it does not cool, the compressor is already damaged.

 

 

II. Suggestions to maintain an air conditioner without using it for a long time

 

Shorten operation each month

• • It is recommended to turn on the air conditioner for 10-15 minutes every month, even in the non-using seasons. It keeps the compressor, fan, and electric circuit in an active condition.

 

Completely clean the filter and panel

• • Before turning the air conditioner off, it is necessary to clean the air filter and the machine itself to avoid accumulation of the dust and bacteria.

 

Keep a dry environment

• • It is suggested to use dehumidify mode for a period before turning off the AC units to keep the machine dry inside, particularly during the rainy season and in humid areas.

 

Cover the outdoor unit well

• • If the air conditioner is not in use and will be exposed to direct sunlight or rain for a long time, we can use a mask or canvas to cover and protect the outdoor unit and avoid aging.

 

 

III. Tips before reactivating the air conditioner

 

• Clean or change the filter.
• Check the battery and the power supply.
• Supply the power for 2-3 minutes before starting, avoiding voltage surge.
• If poor cooling or a strange smell occurs, please contact the professional team for help.

 

Air conditioners are not meant to be left idle. Not turning them on for long periods of time will damage the machine. Only if we turn it on regularly, clean the filter, take moisture-proof and dust-proof measures, and take such easy steps can we extend the lifespan of air conditioners and ensure safety. The regular maintenance should be a concern, particularly in South China and other tropical countries.

 

When choosing air conditioners, most people are concerned about the brand, efficiency, and horsepower. They often miss a key factor, which is the installation position. In fact, even if you purchased a high-efficiency air conditioner, if the installation position is unconventional, then the cooling performance will be decreased and energy consumption will be high, or the life span will be shortened, etc. So how important is the installation position? How to choose a perfect position for installation? Here we will explain and help you pick out the best position to install your air conditioner.

 

I. The impact of improper indoor unit location

 

1. Uneven cooling, bad comfort feeling

If the air conditioner is installed on one side or locked by the furniture in the room, the cold air can not be spread evenly. This will easily lead to "one side cold, other side warm" and greatly discount the feeling of comfort.

 

2. Lower cooling efficiency, more energy consumption

The air conditioner starts frequently to adjust the temperature, consuming more electricity and damaging the air compressor easily. It's not cost-effective in the long run.

 

3. Blow directly toward human body; it triggers "air conditioner illness"

Installation at a lower position or facing the bed will make the cold air blow directly on the head or body, easily lead to "air conditioner illnesses" such as cold, headaches, muscle stiffness, etc.

 

The indoor unit shall be installed in the middle-upper part of the room, avoiding the positions that could blow directly on the human. The air vent is toward the open zone of the space, which is better for cold air to spread.

 

 

II. The impact of improper outdoor unit location

 

1. Bad radiation, lower cooling ability

If the outdoor unit is placed under direct sunlight or bad ventilation and the heat can not be radiated effectively, then the cooling efficiency will be greatly decreased.

 

2. More noise and vibration

Installing on window sills, corners, or weak structural areas can cause noise and vibration problems due to resonance or unstable support.

If the air conditioner is installed on window sills, corners, or weak structural areas, because of the resonance or unstable support, it will make noise and vibration problems.

 

3. Lifespan problem

Being long-term exposed to sunlight or heavy dust accumulation will accelerate the aging of the outdoor unit, influencing the lifespan of the whole unit.

 

The outdoor unit should be placed in a cool and ventilated location, such as a balcony, and keep a heat radiation area of at least 30 cm around it.

 

 

III. Common misconceptions inventory

Misconceptions	Description
Concern on beauty rather than the air flow.	If the air conditioner is installed too high or blocked by the ceiling, cold air circulation is hard to achieve.
The outdoor unit is too close to the wall.	The space for heat dissipation is not enough, affecting the operation efficiency of the compressor.
The indoor unit faces the bed.	The cold air blows directly to the human body, influencing our health.
The distance between indoor and outdoor units is too long.	This will lead to too long a connecting pipe, increasing the energy consumption and installation cost.

 

IV. Advice for the best installation position.

 

• Bedroom: It should be installed in the upper position of the side wall, avoiding facing the bed.
• Living room: It's better to choose the position near the center of the ceiling or the unblocked wall.
• Office: Keep it away from the workplace, ensuring the cold air is dispersed in the activity area.
• Child's room: Avoid direct blowing and concern yourself with the adjustable wind direction.

 

 

V. Reasonable installation consumes half the efforts

 

Whether your home air conditioner works well or not, the installation position determines. Proper installation can not only improve cooling efficiency and energy-saving effects but also extend the lifespan and secure family health. As for an air conditioner, 30% is based on the quality and 70% is on the installation. Please refer to the professional guidance before installation, or give this job to the servicemen.

 

Standing air conditioner inverter is normally more expensive than non-inverter ones; whether it is worth purchasing depends on your demands and places. Let's analyze it from several aspects and see if this investment is worth doing.

 

1. Why is inverter floor standing air conditioner more expensive than normal ones？

Well, the key difference between inverter and non-inverter air conditioners is the working method of the compressor.

• Inverter AC: By adjusting the rotating speed of the compressor, it could control temperature precisely, reducing energy consumption.
• Non-inverter AC: The compressor has only two modes, on and off, which leads to high starting power, large temperature fluctuation, and high energy consumption.

Floor standing air conditioners have high power consumption themselves. With inverter technology, the price will be absolutely higher, but the advantages it brings are obvious.

 

2. Whether it is worth buying an inverter floor standing air conditioner, we can check from the following points.

Suggested crowd and scenario

• Large spaces: Living rooms, conference offices, and stores. Floor standing air conditioners are suitable for large areas, and with inverter technology, it could improve the comfort and the energy-saving effect.
• Long-time usage: Homes and offices that use air conditioners all day long. Inverter air conditioners could save more energy when operating for a long time.
• People who pursue comfort: They request air conditioners with stable temperature and low noise, avoiding sudden cold and heat.

 

Unsuitable crowd and scenario

• Small space: Rooms within 10 ㎡. Floor standing air conditioner is to big to place in such a small area, which may lead to a waste of resources.
• Short-time usage: Use it for 1-2 hours per day only. Under such condition, the advantage of inverter energy saving is not obvious, and the payback is slow.
• Tighten budget: If we have a limited budget, then a non-inverter AC with smart socket would also save some energy.

 

 

3. Key comparisons between inverter and non-inverter floor standing air conditioners.

Items	Inverter standing air conditioner	Non-inverter standing air conditioner
Price	Expensive.	Cheap.
Energy consumption	Saving electricity, long-term usage will be cost-effective.	Consuming more power, making it suitable for short-term usage.
Comfort	Constant temperature, low noise.	Large temperature fluctuation, loud noise.
Lifespan	Longer lifespan compressor.	Frequent start-up affects the compressor lifespan.
Maintenance	More complex technology, higher maintenance costs.	Easy maintenance, low cost.

 

If we use the air conditioner frequently and with a large room, then we choose inverter type. If we need it cheaper and use it seldom, then we'd better choose the non-inverter type.

 

4. Floor standing air conditioner with inverter can save energy; will it truly bring payback to us?

Let's take 3 horse power inverter and non-inverter floor standing air conditioners as an example:

• Power consumption (8 h/day): inverter ac 1.8 kW on average.
• Power consumption (8 h/day): non-inverter ac 2.5 kW on average.

During a summer (90 days on average), it saves 63 kW (2.5*90-1.8*90) of electricity. Then we can calculate how much the money it saves in a summer. After several years, the saved costs could cover the additional money that we had paid on the inverter air conditioner.

If we truly use the air conditioner often, then the inverter type can definitely pay back and save more money.

 

 

5. Purchasing tips on inverter floor standing air conditioners.

• Focus on "Full DC Inverter". Compressor, fan, and motors—all parts are inverter, and the energy saving effect will be much better.
• Focus on "Energy Efficiency Label". Class I is the most effective.
• Focus on "Brand and After-sales". Famous brands from the USA, Japan, Korea, China, etc.
• Focus on “Additional Features".  Dehumidification, air purification, smart WIFI control, etc.

 

6. Should we buy it?

So, if we use air conditioners very often (longer time and larger space), an inverter floor mounted air conditioner is worth purchasing, which is energy-saving and comfortable.

But if we use it for a short time at home and our budget is limited, then a normal non-inverter air conditioner is also considerable. It costs less. However, in a long period, the electricity bill will be higher.

Central air conditioner or split air conditioner, it is a common topic in home decoration. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages and are suitable for different needs and scenarios. The following is a comparison from many aspects:

 

1. Room size

 

Central air conditioner

• It is applicable to large houses, villas, and commercial spaces.
• It can cover multiple rooms and is suitable for large areas that require unified temperature control.
• It is concealed for installation and suitable for families pursuing high-end decoration effects.

 

Split air conditioner

• Applicable to small and medium-sized houses, with each room installed independently.
• Each air conditioner is controlled independently, suitable for use scenarios with personalized needs.
• The initial installation cost is low, suitable for users with limited budgets.

 

 

2. Cooling/Heating Capacity

 

Central air conditioner

• High power, suitable for multiple rooms at the same time.
• Even cooling/heating, small temperature fluctuation, high comfort.

 

Split air conditioner

• Good cooling/heating effect for a single room, fast startup.
• Suitable for single-room use, but low energy efficiency when multiple air conditioners are used at the same time.

 

3. Installation and Space Requirements

 

Central air conditioner

• The installation is complex and requires advance planning in conjunction with the decoration (such as ceiling design).
• Hidden installation, high aesthetics, but high requirements for the building height (about 25-30 cm reserved).

 

Split air conditioner

• Easy to install, each room is designed independently.
• It does not affect the structure of the house, but multiple external units may affect the appearance of the exterior wall.

 

 

4. Energy and Operation Cost

 

Central air conditioner

• High energy efficiency, especially variable frequency models, are more energy-efficient when used in multiple rooms at the same time.
• The initial installation cost is high, but the energy consumption is economical in long-term use.

 

Split air conditioner

• The energy consumption of a single unit is low, but the overall energy efficiency is low when multiple units are running at the same time.
• The initial installation cost is low, but the long-term operating cost is high.

 

5. Appearance and decoration matching

 

Central air conditioner

• Hidden design, integrated with the overall decoration, high aesthetics.
• Suitable for modern simple and high-end decoration styles.

 

Split air conditioner

• The appearance is visible (wall-mounted AC, floor standing AC), which may affect the overall decoration style.
• The new model has a strong sense of design and can meet some decoration needs.

 

6. Noise

 

Central air conditioner

• The main unit is placed outdoors, and the operating noise is low.
• The indoor air supply is quiet, suitable for users who are sensitive to noise.

 

Split air conditioner

• There is noise in both indoor and outdoor units, especially in old models.
• The quiet performance of high-end split models is gradually improving.

 

7. Initial cost and maintenance

 

Central air conditioner

• The initial installation cost is high (usually 30,000-100,000￥, depending on the size of the apartment).
• The later maintenance cost is high (such as cleaning pipes and maintaining the main unit).

 

Split air conditioner

• The initial cost of a single unit is low (about 2,000-15,000￥/unit), and the total cost depends on the number of rooms.
• Easy to maintain, and a single unit failure does not affect the use of other rooms.

 

 

8. Comprehensive Pros and Cons

 

Type	Central air conditioner	Split air conditioner
Pros	High power, wide cooling range, suitable for  large rooms	Affordable, space-saving, suitable for small rooms
Cons	Large floor space, high price and energy consumption items	Limited cooling range, low power

 

9. Suitable Crowd and Scenario Advice

 

Central air conditioner

• Suitable for large houses and families who focus on beautiful decoration and comfort.
• Suitable for scenarios where multiple rooms and multiple users are used at the same time, such as villas, offices, etc.

 

Split air conditioner

• Suitable for users in small houses or single rooms.
• Suitable for scenarios with limited budget or short-term use, such as renting a house.

 

10. Suggestions

• If the budget is sufficient and the decoration effect is high, choose a central air conditioner.
• If you pursue economy and practicality and the house area is not large, choose a split air conditioner.
• The choice between the two mainly depends on the house area, budget, decoration plan, and usage requirements.

 

We are professional air conditioner manufacturer with 30+ years experience; if you have a specific room type or budget requirement, please tell us, and we can further recommend a suitable solution for you!