The solution is usually to use air conditioning. But do you know how to use air conditioning to both cool and save electricity?

Illustration: AI

Use a cooling fan before using the air conditioner

In a study recently published in the Medical Journal of Australia, scientists from the Center for Heat and Health Research, University of Sydney (Australia), have found a simple but effective solution to using air conditioning. That is the "pre-fan cooling method".

The method is simple: Use an electric fan first to cool down and only turn on the air conditioner when the indoor temperature exceeds 27 degrees Celsius.

Electric fans can provide comfort on a hot day by moving air around. This helps the body release heat in two ways: improving the transfer of heat from the body to the air and increasing the evaporation of sweat from the skin.

A gentle breeze from a fan can help you feel more comfortable in hot and humid weather. This allows you to increase the air conditioner's set temperature from 23 - 24 degrees Celsius to 27 - 28 degrees Celsius. This simple change can significantly reduce the time the air conditioner runs, resulting in significant energy savings.

Photo: AI

In previous research, researchers have shown that increasing the set temperature of office air conditioners from 24 to 26.5 degrees Celsius, combined with additional airflow from desk and ceiling fans, reduces electricity consumption by nearly a third while still feeling comfortably cool.

Fans use only 3% of the electricity of air conditioners. Just turn them on as soon as you start to feel hot. Fans cool you down, while air conditioners cool the entire space, which is less efficient.

Furthermore, over-reliance on air conditioning can reduce the body's ability to cope with heat. If the temperature in the house is constantly kept very low, the body may have difficulty adapting to hot summer conditions.