To keep AC on or turn it off? Zagreb residents share tips for lower bills

A Reddit user seeking to reduce her electricity bills has sparked a discussion about the most efficient way to use air conditioning. The user, who recently moved into an older, 58-square-meter attic apartment with two AC units, posed a question: Is it better to keep the main unit running continuously while she's at work and cool the bedroom before sleeping, or to manage them differently?

She explained that one unit serves her bedroom (approximately 11 square meters), and the other covers the remaining space (about 30 square meters), excluding the bathroom, toilet, and pantry, where she keeps doors closed. She acknowledged that efficiency depends on factors like insulation and AC power but sought practical advice from others in similar situations.

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Je li bolje držati cijelo vrijeme upaljenu ovu u većem prostoru (osim kad sam na poslu), a spavaću rashladiti prije spavanja? Koliko struje to troši otprilike, ako se može procijeniti ili ako je netko u sličnoj situaciji

Responses from fellow users offered diverse perspectives. One user living in a 40-year-old house with poor insulation reported that a single AC unit increased her monthly electricity bill by about 70 euros. In contrast, another commenter stated they run two AC units, used for both cooling and heating, continuously at 25 degrees Celsius in summer and 22 degrees in winter. This user's highest summer electricity bill was around 70 euros for total consumption, and about 130 euros in winter, concluding that AC units are a "best invested money ever."

Another user shared that their two AC units, 5kW and 5.5kW, run 24/7 during heatwaves, resulting in monthly electricity bills of only 45-50 euros. A Zagreb resident also chimed in, expressing surprise at the concern over AC consumption. He reported that his two 3.5kW units, used daily from 9 AM to 9 PM at 23 degrees Celsius in July, cost only 12 euros each. Several users advised the original poster to keep one unit running continuously in the larger space, set to 24-25 degrees, rather than frequently switching it on and off, suggesting this approach would cool the entire apartment effectively.

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Imam dvije klime, jedna 5kw, druga 5.5kw, rade od jutra do mraka, a po ovim toplinskim udarima i po noći, dakle 0-24. Računi za struju su nam 45-50 eura mjesečno.