As the weather begins to cool and you find yourself constantly turning air conditioning on and off, you may be wondering what the best practice is to save money. Here are our recommendations to keep a cool and happy house and wallet.
Does Turning AC On And Off Versus Leaving It On Cost More?
Ultimately, yes, it is more expensive to turn your air conditioning on and off throughout the day. This is because your AC will be experiencing additional wear and tear, along with working harder to restore optimal levels.
Ideally, you should install a programmable thermostat that sets your home at a consistent temperature, with the ideal air conditioning temperature being between 70 and 78 degrees to control the humidity and temperature levels inside your home. Programmable thermostat AC units operate in cycles, and when set at this temperature, the unit will release air in bursts to create a consistent temperature. When you consistently turn your ac on and off it will work harder to return to its optimal comfort level. Leaving your air conditioner on all day is like running at a consistent jog for a mile, while turning it on and off is like sprinting and then standing completely still for a mile. Imagine which one is more energy-efficient.
Is It More Energy-Efficient To Leave AC On?
While you may initially think turning the air conditioning on and off will save energy and money, this is not the case because it will ultimately cause damage to the system and increase the amount of work for the HVAC system to keep your house cool. In an average-sized home, it takes approximately three hours to reduce the temperature by 10 degrees. Think about the energy expended when your HVAC system is working in bursts between being turned on and off to keep your home cool.Â
Â
Weather is often unpredictable. This encourages us to turn the AC on and off throughout the day, causing additional wear and tear on our HVAC units. Think of the package delivery drivers that you see drop off items at your and your neighbors houses. Do they turn off their car during every stop? No. They leave the car idling because it’s better for the car than cutting and starting the engine at every stop.
Strategies To Consider For Energy Efficiency
- Maintenance: Ensure you are receiving consistent maintenance on your HVAC system, including replacing your air filters, so your machine is working properly.Â
- Insulation: Consider enacting additional insulation measures into your home, like hanging black-out curtains to block the sun out, as well as closing doors to rooms where the HVAC system doesn’t reach
- Best Practice: If you are going to run your air conditioning, do so strategically. Turn your HVAC system on when people are home and are looking to stay cool.
Additionally, you can optimize the efficiency of your AC unit by keeping the unit clean and healthy. By changing filters and scheduling routine maintenance, you can ensure your home is running cool and cost effective.Â
Call Harker Today For Reliable Emergency HVAC Services
At Harker Heating and Cooling, we’re committed to keeping you cool and comfortable all year long. Whether you need routine air conditioning maintenance, emergency AC repair, or expert advice on keeping a comfortable home, our team of HVAC technicians is here to help. Contact us today for all your air conditioning needs
