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AC Energy Saver mode Curly Sue 07-03-2006
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Posted by Curly Sue on July 3, 2006, 8:32 am
I have a 1 yr old through the wall unit, around 18000 btu with a 220v
plug.

I have two questions about the energy saver feature:

1) Does the energy saver mode make a measurable difference in energy
use? Mine goes on and off in what I think is short cycles, I assume
because the room temp increases rapidly. I keep the temp set at
around 74 deg. The room stays comfortable enough.

2) Is all of that turning on and off bad for the unit? Should I just
keep it on regular mode running all the time, instead? I know that
the cooling part cycles on and off to keep the temp constant so I
assume the energy saver feature just controls the fan?

TIA.

Sue(tm)
Lead me not into temptation... I can find it myself!

Posted by RichK on July 3, 2006, 9:42 am


> I have a 1 yr old through the wall unit, around 18000 btu with a 220v
> plug.

> 1) Does the energy saver mode make a measurable difference in energy
> use? Mine goes on and off in what I think is short cycles, I assume
> because the room temp increases rapidly. I keep the temp set at
> around 74 deg. The room stays comfortable enough.

Not sure what the desiners meant by energy saver mode in your unit. Any
description in the User Manual? Or is it in Chinese?

Don't see how short cycles save energy, it the thermostat (inside) setting
is the same. Is the speed any different? Did you measure the room temp.
If it's the same in both settings, can't see where the savings come from.

> 2) Is all of that turning on and off bad for the unit? Should I just
> keep it on regular mode running all the time, instead? I know that
> the cooling part cycles on and off to keep the temp constant so I
> assume the energy saver feature just controls the fan?

Depending how often it cycles. Starting a motor does increase the temp
temporarily, but it stabilizes in a minute or so. If the cycles are several
minutes, there should be no prob. Again assuming the design eng KNEW what
he was doing. Slower fan speed will save a bit of energy, but very little.

Check the temp and cycle time. See how much running time you get in an hour
in both modes. If the same, you're not saving much. Again all that should
be in User Manual, if the unit is made by a good company.

RichK



Posted by on July 3, 2006, 9:52 am

RichK wrote:
> Not sure what the desiners meant by energy saver mode in your unit. Any
> description in the User Manual? Or is it in Chinese?

At least on my (smaller) Kenmore window unit, the energy saver mode
means the fan only runs when the compressor is running. This means the
whole thing turns off each time the compressor cycle is done, so maybe
it sounds like it is taking shorter cycles. I would think the
compressor would use a vast majority of the energy, and that running
the fan between cycles might make a small difference. I usually use
the energy saver mode on the AC, but keep the ceiling fan on low to
circulate air - I prefer this combination to the regular mode AC.
Good luck,
Andy


Posted by Curly Sue on July 3, 2006, 10:18 am
On 3 Jul 2006 06:52:50 -0700, aenewhouse@gmail.com wrote:

>
>RichK wrote:
>> Not sure what the desiners meant by energy saver mode in your unit. Any
>> description in the User Manual? Or is it in Chinese?
>
>At least on my (smaller) Kenmore window unit, the energy saver mode
>means the fan only runs when the compressor is running. This means the
>whole thing turns off each time the compressor cycle is done, so maybe
>it sounds like it is taking shorter cycles.

Aha...

> I would think the
>compressor would use a vast majority of the energy, and that running
>the fan between cycles might make a small difference.

That's what I thought, but wasn't sure.

Thanks!

Sue(tm)
Lead me not into temptation... I can find it myself!

Posted by Curly Sue on July 3, 2006, 10:22 am

>
>
>> I have a 1 yr old through the wall unit, around 18000 btu with a 220v
>> plug.
>
>> 1) Does the energy saver mode make a measurable difference in energy
>> use? Mine goes on and off in what I think is short cycles, I assume
>> because the room temp increases rapidly. I keep the temp set at
>> around 74 deg. The room stays comfortable enough.
>
>Not sure what the desiners meant by energy saver mode in your unit. Any
>description in the User Manual? Or is it in Chinese?

I found this on the website (it's a GE):

Energy Saver Switch
A sought-after feature of GE Room Air Conditioners is the Energy Saver
Switch. With the switch in the "normal" position, the fan runs
continuously and provides more uniform temperature in the room. In the
"save" position, the fan turns off and on with the air conditioner's
compressor to help reduce power consumption and operating cost.

>> 2) Is all of that turning on and off bad for the unit? Should I just
>> keep it on regular mode running all the time, instead? I know that
>> the cooling part cycles on and off to keep the temp constant so I
>> assume the energy saver feature just controls the fan?
>
>Depending how often it cycles. Starting a motor does increase the temp
>temporarily, but it stabilizes in a minute or so. If the cycles are several
>minutes, there should be no prob. Again assuming the design eng KNEW what
>he was doing. Slower fan speed will save a bit of energy, but very little.

They seem to make a big deal of it (as per excerpt above) but
apparently it doesn't change the behavior of the compressor.

After reading the responses, I assume that it doesn't make such a big
difference.

Thanks.
Sue(tm)
Lead me not into temptation... I can find it myself!

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