A recent study has the answer, and it's more complicated that a simple "yes" or "no." It depends on several factors, including what kind of air conditioner you have.
Summer may be coming to an end, but many parts of the country will still need air conditioning well into the fall. Mindful of utility bills, some of you may be wondering, “What’s the most efficient way to use my air conditioning?”
Is it cheaper to leave air conditioner on all day?
Two professors and one Ph.D student at the University of Colorado, all engineers, tried to determine whether shutting off your air conditioning during the day when you’re not home actually saves money. According to their study, it depends on how much energy it takes to remove heat from your home.
Multiple factors come into play, like how well your home is insulated, your climate and what kind of AC unit you have. The better insulated your home, the less heat will enter during the day. This will reduce the load on your AC. Likewise, humidity and your system type also have an impact.
The researchers looked at two climates, three systems and three cooling cycles. They also standardized the time of day, making sure to include the hottest part. Accounting for various experiences helped them address the question: Should you leave your air conditioner on when you leave home?
Curiously, the most efficient air conditioning systems did not always yield the highest energy savings. And different factors can affect your specific situation. But generally, the answer is yes.
Overall, by leaving the AC off for eight hours, you’ll see energy savings no matter what type of system you have. Leaving it off for four hours yielded mixed results. Depending on the humidity and the system, it could result in minor energy savings, or take a little more energy than running it all day.
One thing the study didn’t account for was the cleanliness of the system. A dirty air conditioner won’t cool as efficiently. Don’t forget to clean your unit regularly to keep it functioning well.
How often should ac turn on and off?
The frequency with which your air conditioning system turns on and off depends largely on the weather, the temperature you’ve set for your home, and the efficiency of your system. However, during a typical summer day, a properly functioning central AC unit should cycle on and off every 15 to 20 minutes. Each cooling cycle should last for around 10 to 15 minutes.
Keep in mind that this is just a general guideline. There could be instances where the system will cycle more frequently, such as on extremely hot days when your AC needs to work harder to maintain your set temperature.
If your AC unit is constantly turning on and off in quick successions (a process known as short cycling), this could indicate a problem that needs to be addressed. Short cycling can be caused by several issues including an oversized AC unit, a clogged filter, low refrigerant, or a malfunctioning thermostat.
How to turn off air conditioner?
Turning off an air conditioner may differ slightly depending on the type of the system (window, central, or split AC), but generally, you can follow these steps:
Thermostat Method:
Locate the thermostat on your wall that controls the temperature of your home.
Look for an “off” setting or a power icon. Most thermostats have a switch or button that allows you to turn off the system.
Move the switch or press the button to the “off” position. The air conditioning system should then stop running.
Breaker Box Method:
Find your home’s breaker box. It’s usually located in a utility room, basem*nt, garage, or outside.
Look for the breaker that controls your air conditioning unit. It should be labeled “AC,” “HVAC,” or something similar.
Switch the breaker to the “off” position. This will cut power to the air conditioning unit, effectively turning it off.
For a Window AC:
You can simply press the power button on the unit or remote control to turn it off.
Remember, if you are going to turn off the AC unit for an extended period (like over winter), you may want to consider having a professional service it before you shut it down to ensure it is in good condition for the next use.
Note: Always consult the manual provided by the manufacturer for accurate information on how to operate and maintain your specific AC unit.
Overall, by leaving the AC off for eight hours, you'll see energy savings no matter what type of system you have. Leaving it off for four hours yielded mixed results. Depending on the humidity and the system, it could result in minor energy savings, or take a little more energy than running it all day.
Many homeowners believe that by shutting off their AC before leaving the house, they'll be saving money because the unit will be running less often. This is not necessarily the case. On the contrary, doing so may contribute to even higher bills.
Typically, you should set your temperature no higher than 84 degrees when you're on summer vacation, and the outdoor temperature is in the high 90s. Spring and fall vacations can vary. The system needs to run a few hours per day to cool and dehumidify your home.
Lowered energy consumption: When your air conditioner's fan is set on auto, it will only run as needed. This, in turn, will cut down on your system's electricity usage. This then will decrease your monthly utility bills by a decent amount of money.
The only times that it makes sense to turn off your air conditioner completely are when it's cool enough outside to open your windows and allow the outdoor air to keep your home's temperature at a moderate level. That doesn't mean, however, that you can't save energy when your home is unoccupied.
While safety isn't a concern, money is. Running your AC unit continuously will increase your energy bill drastically. Also, running your air conditioner continuously will wear out the unit faster. Like any other machine, the more you use it, the faster it wears out.
Air conditioning units will absorb the heat in your room and simultaneously blow out cold air. They're the best way to cool a room down quickly. But while higher temperatures can make sleeping a struggle, experts warn against keeping the AC on at night.
Do not turn off your HVAC system altogether. Your system should still run minimally while you're away to avoid excess humidity or cold in your home. If your trip is during a warmer season of the year, then set the thermostat to a higher temperature while you're away (no higher than 85 degrees).
If you set your preferred temperature very low, your air conditioner is still going to run longer than necessary. But using the AUTO setting with a reasonable set temperature will keep your energy costs low, especially if you turn your unit off when you're away from home or asleep.
These are the benefits of setting your thermostat to AUTO mode: Energy Efficiency. You save more energy and reduce your energy bill because the AC unit isn't at work all the time. Your air conditioner cycles off immediately once it reaches the desired room temperature.
With the AC unit turned off, humidity in your house can quickly rise. High indoor humidity can cause a bad odor and stagnant air can cause the growth of mold in air conditioner units which can greatly diminish your home's indoor air quality, putting your household at risk for illness.
Although many people believe that it is more costly to turn your AC on and off vs. leaving it on, this is entirely false. People often base this belief on the idea that powering on your system requires a burst of energy, so leaving it running would minimize energy usage by reducing these bursts.
As long as the weather outside isn't excessively hot or humid, keeping your AC switched off while you sleep is a great way to reduce your energy costs. In fact, even in the nighttime temperatures are still in the 80s, this is still a good option as long as it isn't too humid outside.
Running your AC all day is bad because it leads to excessive energy consumption, resulting in higher utility bills and a greater carbon footprint. The continuous operation also puts strain on the AC unit, potentially leading to more frequent breakdowns and costly repairs.
Keep your programmable thermostat set as high as is comfortable (the DOE recommends 78 degrees Fahrenheit), and when you're away from home, set the temperature even higher. You can trim 10 percent off your energy bill by setting your thermostat by 7 to 10 degrees higher for eight hours a day, the DOE estimates.
Turning your thermostat up seven to 10 degrees F should help you save on your energy costs. This means you should leave you thermostat between 85°F and 88°F degrees in the summer when you are not there. If 78°F sounds too hot for you, experiment and see what temperature works best for you.
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Introduction: My name is Maia Crooks Jr, I am a homely, joyous, shiny, successful, hilarious, thoughtful, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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