This one simple mistake of switching off the AC is increasing your electricity bill every month. Learn the correct method from experts Remote or directly main switch? Know the right way to switch off AC which will increase the life of your compressor and save huge electricity bills. – ..

In the summer season, air conditioner (AC) is our biggest help to get relief from the scorching afternoon sun and humidity. As soon as we step into the room amid the rising temperatures, the cool air of the AC gives comfort to both the heart and mind. This is the reason that as soon as summer starts, people either buy a new AC or get the old AC serviced properly and start it.

But do you know that an unknown and small habit of yours can make your expensive AC prematurely junk? Yes, this habit not only reduces the life of your AC, but also secretly increases the electricity bill coming to your house every month. Many people just press the red button on the remote while switching off the AC and go to sleep. There are some people who believe in switching off the main switch (MCB or plug board) directly on the wall without touching the remote.

In such a situation, it is natural to raise the question that what is the safest and correct way to switch off the AC? Let us remove this confusion once and for all by quoting experts.

Why is switching off AC remotely considered safest?

Most people switch off the AC remotely for convenience, and technically this is also the correct method. When you press the button on the remote, the AC does not switch off suddenly, rather it follows a safe shutdown process (regular process).

• Compressor Safety: By switching it off remotely, the most expensive part of the AC i.e. the compressor and its internal electronic circuits do not suffer the shock of sudden power cut. This prolongs the life of the machine.

• Flap closure: When you switch off today’s modern split AC from the remote, its flap (air throwing wing) automatically closes completely, due to which dust does not go inside. This flap remains open when the switch is switched off directly.

• Settings remain safe: When you switch it off from the remote, the temperature, mode (Cool/Dry) and fan speed settings of your AC remain saved in the memory. Next time you turn on the AC, you don’t have to change the settings again.

Big question: Does electricity bill increase if you switch it off remotely?

Many people think that if the wall switch is on and the AC is switched off only with the remote, then it continues to consume electricity.

What does science say?

When you turn off the AC with the remote, it goes into ‘Standby Mode’. In this mode only a small sensor of the AC remains on which waits for the signal from the remote. The power consumption in standby mode is so minimal (negligible) that it does not have any significant impact on your monthly electricity bill.

Remote vs Main Switch: When to Use Which?

To keep the AC safe, you can easily understand when to use the remote and when to use the main wall switch from the table given below:

Disadvantages of switching off AC directly from main switch every time

If you are switching off the AC directly from the wall button instead of using the remote every day, then you are playing with your machine. When the AC is running on full cooling mode, its compressor is on heavy load. In such a situation, suddenly cutting the power supply puts a lot of pressure on the compressor and electronic circuits. By doing this continuously, the condenser or PCB of the AC may blow prematurely, the repair of which costs thousands of rupees.

Expert’s final advice

Engineers and tech experts believe that in everyday use, the AC should always be switched off using the remote. This shuts down the system properly. Yes, if you are going out of the house for several days or weeks or do not want to run the AC for several days during the rainy season, then it is a wise decision to turn off the main switch after turning it off from the remote for safety and to save complete electricity.