Waking up to a freezing room in the middle of the night only to be met by a staggering utility bill at the end of the month? In Singapore, many households run the aircon throughout the night for restful sleep. As a result, the aircon often has the highest energy consumption and becomes the biggest contributor to the electricity bill.
The good news is that there is a simple way to lower energy bills. In this guide, we’ll explore how aircon sleep mode works and how you can use it to save more while still enjoying a cool environment.
Aircon sleep mode is an automated program designed to align with the body’s natural sleep cycle. As you fall into a deep sleep, your core body temperature naturally drops. This means you actually require less external cooling to stay comfortable than you did when you first climbed into bed.
When you activate this setting, the unit follows a gradual temperature curve:
By raising the temperature by 2°C over two hours, the workload on the compressor is significantly reduced.
The short answer? Yes it does.
Many homeowners believe that keeping the aircon at a constant, low temperature is the only way to keep a room cool. However, every degree you raise the temperature can save roughly 6% to 10% on your unit's energy consumption.
On average, adjusting your aircon temperature upwards by just two degrees can lead to monthly savings of $6 to $8 per unit.
Unlike manual settings where the aircon works at full blast throughout the night, sleep mode creates a cold environment at the start before tapering off and using less energy once you’ve fallen asleep.
When it comes to saving energy. Is sleep mode better than eco mode? The answer depends on the time of day.
Eco Mode (or Energy Saver) typically caps the compressor’s power draw at a lower limit and maintains a consistent, slightly higher temperature throughout its entire run time. While excellent for daytime use when you are active in the house, aircon sleep mode is better for overnight use.
Besides selecting the right mode, these small habits can further optimise your system’s performance and lower your monthly costs.
To increase your energy savings even more, consider using a timer together with the sleep mode function on your aircon. Setting your unit to switch off 30 to 60 minutes before your alarm goes off can save an extra hour of electricity daily.
The effectiveness of any aircon mode; be it Sleep or Eco; depends on the quality of the hardware. If you are looking to buy an aircon in Singapore, prioritise models with high NEA tick ratings. Modern inverter systems are far better at modulating their speed during sleep modes compared to older, non-inverter units.
Before you buy an aircon, it is also vital to consult an aircon specialist. An incorrectly sized unit (one that is too small for your master bedroom, for example) will struggle to reach the set temperature, making energy-saving modes less effective.
Using aircon sleep mode is a simple, free, and highly effective way to slash your electricity bills every single night.
At 81 Aircon, we are committed to helping you achieve a cool home through professional and cost-efficient services. Whether you are looking to buy an aircon, install a unit, or need expert help on repair or maintenance, our BCA-certified technicians are here to help.
