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Life Tips 26/06/2025 19:24

Is It Really Worth Turning Off Your AC for 15 Minutes? Here’s Why You Should Think Again

In the scorching summer heat, air conditioners are the "lifeline" many rely on at home and in the office. Given their high energy consumption, people are always looking for ways to reduce electricity usage, with turning them off when not in use being a co
During the peak summer heat, air conditioners become an essential "lifesaver" in many homes and offices. However, these devices tend to consume a lot of electricity, leading people to adopt various energy-saving measures, one of which is turning the air conditioner off when not in use. But not all methods of saving energy are effective.
Avoid Turning Off the Air Conditioner for Just 10-15 Minutes
Many people think that switching off the air conditioner whenever they step out of the room will save electricity. However, experts recommend that if you’re only stepping out for about 10-15 minutes, it’s better to leave the air conditioner running. Turning the unit off and on again not only doesn’t help save energy but can actually increase your electricity bill, while also shortening the lifespan of the unit.
To understand why it’s inefficient to turn off the air conditioner for short periods, we need to understand how the device works. The air conditioner cools the air in the room by absorbing heat inside and releasing it outside. When you restart it, the compressor and fan need to work at full capacity to bring the room back to the desired temperature. This process uses more electricity than simply letting the unit maintain a steady state.
Turning It On and Off Continuously Consumes More Power
Many people mistakenly believe that turning off the air conditioner whenever they leave a room, even for just a few minutes, will save energy. However, in reality, turning the unit off and on in such short intervals causes it to consume more power.
When the air conditioner is operating normally, the compressor cycles on and off or adjusts its power to maintain the temperature. On the other hand, when you turn the system off and back on after just 10-15 minutes, it has to start from scratch, cooling down a room that has already warmed up. At this point, the compressor must operate at full capacity, causing a sudden surge in power consumption, which is 1.5 to 2 times higher than when it’s running in a stable state.
This situation is similar to a motorcycle: if you stop at a red light for a few minutes, you don’t turn off the engine; instead, you let it idle. However, if you turn the engine off and then restart it, more fuel is consumed, and the engine experiences more wear and tear.
Increases Strain on the System, Reducing the Lifespan of the Air Conditioner
Turning the air conditioner on and off repeatedly over short intervals not only wastes electricity but also directly impacts the unit’s lifespan. Every time the system is restarted, components such as the compressor, fan, and relays must work harder and faster to cool the room quickly, which accelerates wear and tear on these parts.
If this behavior occurs frequently, the air conditioner may break down sooner, causing issues like loud noises, slow cooling, or failure to start up. This results in higher repair and maintenance costs, or even the need to replace the unit earlier than expected.
Time Wasted in Re-Cooling the Room
When you turn off the air conditioner for just 15 minutes and return, the temperature in the room will rise quickly, especially if the room is poorly insulated or has many windows. When you return, not only will you feel uncomfortable and hot, but the unit will also take longer to cool the room again. During this time, you won’t be enjoying the comfort of a cool room, and you’ll still be paying higher electricity bills.
Energy-Saving Tips for Short Absences
Instead of turning off the air conditioner entirely, there are smarter ways to save electricity when you leave the room for a short time:

  • Set the temperature to 28–30°C before leaving the room. This way, the air conditioner will still run but at a lower power consumption, and when you return, you can quickly adjust it back to a cooler setting.

  • Use the "Sleep" or "Eco" modes if your unit supports them. These modes optimize the air conditioner’s power consumption to its most efficient levels.

  • Close doors and pull down curtains to keep the room from heating up too quickly while you're away.

When Should You Turn Off the Air Conditioner?
Although it’s not recommended to turn off the air conditioner for short periods, if you plan to be away for 30 minutes or more, it’s more economical to turn it off completely. Restarting the unit after a long absence will use less power than maintaining it in a standby mode for an extended period without use.
Also, at night or when the ambient temperature is cooler, you can use a fan or an evaporative cooler as a substitute to save on energy costs.
In summary, while it may seem like turning the air conditioner off for a few minutes will save you money, this practice actually causes the unit to work harder, consume more energy, and wear out faster. A more effective strategy is to maintain the unit in energy-saving mode or adjust the temperature slightly higher during short absences.
By understanding how your air conditioner works and using it wisely, you can ensure that it operates efficiently, saves electricity, and still provides comfort, especially during the sweltering summer months. Most importantly, avoid making common mistakes that can silently inflate your electricity bills each month.

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