Yes, an air conditioner typically consumes more power when set to lower temperatures compared to higher temperatures. The reason for this is that the AC unit has to work harder to cool the air to a lower temperature, requiring more energy input.
When you set the AC to a lower temperature like 16 degrees Celsius (or 61 degrees Fahrenheit), the compressor and other components of the air conditioner need to work more intensively to remove heat from the room and maintain the desired temperature. This increased workload results in higher power consumption.
Conversely, when you set the AC to a higher temperature, such as 24 or 26 degrees Celsius (or 75 or 79 degrees Fahrenheit), the AC has to cool the air to a lesser extent, reducing the workload and energy required. Therefore, setting the AC to a higher temperature will generally consume less power compared to setting it to a lower temperature.
To optimize energy efficiency, it is often recommended to set the AC temperature to a comfortable level rather than excessively low temperatures. This helps strike a balance between maintaining a pleasant environment and minimizing energy consumption.