How to use air conditioner when the heat is over 40 degrees Celsius

In the last days of May, outdoor temperatures measured in Hanoi and Saigon are often around 40 degrees Celsius. In Hanoi, due to high air humidity of around 80%, the actual perceived temperature reported on weather applications is usually between 45-50 degrees Celsius.

High heat levels and intense sunlight cause the air conditioner to run at full capacity, but in many cases it is still not enough to cool the room, causing wastage of electricity, affecting the life of the equipment and not being good for human health.

Below are some things to note when using air conditioning on extremely hot days:

Set a reasonable temperature level

Manufacturers often recommend that the air conditioner’s temperature setting should only be 7-10 degrees Celsius lower than the outdoor temperature. However, with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, users should keep the air conditioner at 26-28 degrees Celsius. This is the most suitable level to balance the cool feeling for people and the operating capacity of the air conditioner.

When the weather is too hot, setting the temperature 16-20 degrees lower causes the air conditioner to run continuously at highest capacity, without any rest time, making the system susceptible to overload and failure. According to experts, with common residential air conditioners and installation conditions in Vietnam, most types of air conditioners cannot achieve a temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius for the room when the outdoor temperature is above 40 degrees Celsius.

In addition, turning on the temperature at 26-28 degrees Celsius also helps limit heat shock when entering and leaving the house and outdoors with too high a difference.

Turn on the combination fan

With outdoor temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, fans are necessary to reduce air conditioning pressure. Before turning on the device, users can open the room door and turn on the fan for about 15 minutes for ventilation. Then, keep the fan on throughout the process of turning on the air conditioner, but maybe with a lower wind speed, to disperse cold air faster in the room.

On days that are not too hot, fans are also items that should be used with air conditioning because they disperse cold air, avoiding areas that are too cold or too hot, affecting the health of members.

Avoid turning it on continuously 24/24

Even if the need for use is frequent, users should still let the air conditioner “rest” after every 4-6 hours of operation, especially on hot sunny days. You can temporarily turn off the air conditioner for about an hour, open the door for ventilation before turning it back on, helping the machine last longer.

Active heat protection for the room

Apartments with a lot of glass often cause the air conditioner to operate at a higher capacity, consuming more electricity due to large heat absorption. You should install thick curtains that block light well and keep them closed during the day, especially in apartments with direct sunlight. If possible, you should apply heat-resistant film to the glass layers in the apartment, the type that can protect against heat and UV rays similar to the type applied on cars.

Supports the condenser to dissipate heat better

Air conditioner heaters are designed by manufacturers to be installed outdoors, but they still need to be kept in a well-ventilated place, limiting direct sunlight for long periods of time to increase cooling efficiency. You can install a roof or net for the outdoor unit, but be careful not to affect the ventilation ability of the radiator fan.

Periodic cleaning

The weather in Vietnam is quite dusty, causing the air conditioner to quickly become dirty after a short period of use. This will greatly affect cooling capacity, consume more electricity, take longer to cool and be less durable. You should clean at least every 6 months, both the outdoor and indoor units to ensure the device operates at its best.