Reduction Of Air Conditioner Energy Consumption Through The Implementation Of A Non-Invasive Sensor Based Automatic Control System

Abstract

High energy consumption from air conditioning (AC) systems is a significant challenge to building energy efficiency, particularly in Indonesia's building sector where AC units can account for up to 70% of the total electrical load. This problem is often exacerbated by user negligence, such as leaving units on in unoccupied rooms. This research aims to design, build, and test a universal, non-invasive automatic control device to reduce such energy waste by automating its operation based on occupancy and temperature. The system integrates a Passive Infrared (PIR) sensor for occupancy detection and a DHT22 sensor for temperature monitoring, controlled by an Arduino Nano. Its primary innovation is a servo motor that mechanically presses the AC remote's button, ensuring universal compatibility. The control logic activates the AC only when presence is detected and the temperature exceeds 25°C, and deactivates it after a period of vacancy. The device's effectiveness was evaluated through comparative 8-hour tests on two different AC units. The results demonstrated highly significant energy savings. The use of the device reduced energy consumption by 2.716 kWh (44.85%) for AC 1 and 3.280 kWh (41.80%) for AC 2. With an average energy efficiency improvement exceeding 43%, the non-invasive automatic control device is proven to be a highly effective solution. Its universal, non-invasive design makes it a practical and widely applicable tool for energy conservation in various environments.