Your AC is almost certainly the biggest line on your summer electricity bill. The good news: a few simple habits can cut that cost noticeably without making your home any less comfortable.
1. Set it to 24–26°C, not 18°C
Every degree lower adds roughly 6% to the running cost. 24–26°C is comfortable and far cheaper, and your AC reaches it faster than you think.
2. Service it before summer
A clean coil and filter let the AC cool efficiently. A single pre-summer service often pays for itself in lower bills.
3. Use the timer and sleep mode
Set it to switch off a couple of hours after you fall asleep — the room stays cool and you stop paying to cool an empty-feeling night.
4. Close the gaps
Shut doors and windows, and draw curtains on sunny windows. Cooling a sealed room uses far less power.
5. Clean the filter monthly yourself
A two-minute rinse of the indoor filter keeps airflow strong between professional services.
6. Keep the outdoor unit in the shade
An outdoor unit in direct sun works harder. Shade it (without blocking airflow) and keep the area around it clear.
7. Run the fan too
A ceiling fan spreads the cool air, so you feel comfortable at a higher AC setting.
8. Fix low gas early
An AC low on gas runs constantly and still cannot cool — the worst of both worlds. If you see the signs of low gas, get it checked.
9. Consider a 5-star inverter AC for heavy use
If you run your AC many hours a day, a 5-star inverter model uses significantly less power over a season than an old fixed-speed unit.
Do even half of these and most Hyderabad homes see a real drop in their summer bill — for almost no cost.
Thomas Daniel
CoolSaathi’s lead AC specialist with 10+ years servicing split and window ACs across Hyderabad.