Why would someone run their air conditioner in the winter?
Operating your AC unit can help to remove moisture from the air inside your home, which in turn helps to defog windows and doors. Finally, it's a good idea to run the AC at least periodically during the winter so that the oil keeps circulating throughout it.
Depending on your air conditioning system, it can help keep rooms at a constant temperature, reduce humidity, circulate and flow and actually improve the indoor air quality...
Air conditioners contain oil designed for lubricating the compressor, and this oil works best in warm weather. In winter, the oil can become thicker due to low temperatures, preventing proper lubrication of the compressor and potentially causing it to overheat.
And now, here's astounding scientific fact #2: An air conditioner removes heat faster and more efficiently when it's cooler outdoors.
In most cases, especially in residential applications, you should not run your air conditioner when outdoor temperatures are below 60 degrees. The air conditioner does function, but you are going to burn out the compressor fairly quickly.
The answer is a most definitive yes. In the case of a reversible AC or a ductless heat pump, it makes sense to use it all year round. Ductless heating systems come with many advantages. Even if your air conditioner is not a reversible one, you may still find some use of it during winters.
Running the air conditioner during the winter months can also cause frozen coils and widespread damage to the moving parts. Most manufacturers recommend not using an AC system when temperatures reach 60 degrees or lower.
In the Mid-Atlantic region and in most regions of the United States except possibly Florida and Southern California and Texas, this simply isn't true. Even in many energy efficient homes, or homes that keep up on their ac repairs, wintertime heating costs can sometimes run nearly twice what AC costs to run.
Energy Saver recommends setting your air conditioner to 78 degrees when you wake up, 85 degrees during the day, and 82 degrees when you're sleeping to save the most money.
The starting point for effective energy savings is said to be around 68 degrees in the Winter.
Is 72 too low for AC?
The fact of the matter is that most air conditioners aren't meant to run below the 72-degree mark. Finding the right indoor temperature actually depends on the outdoor temperature. Your air conditioner isn't meant to cool at more than 20 degrees lower than the outdoor temperature.
Wait until cooler times of the day to do tasks that make your house warmer, like laundry and cooking. Turn on your ceiling fan when using your air conditioner. By doing so, you can raise your thermostat about four degrees F to save on cooling costs with no reduction in comfort.
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.
If that temperature falls outside your comfort level, there are several ways to modify how your home feels without causing your energy bill to spike. Keep in mind, each degree set above 72 can save you up to 3% on your cooling costs.
Thanks to the cooling properties of ceiling fans, you can help to reduce your monthly energy costs. Most central air conditioning systems cost around 43 cents per hour when they're on, which can really add up over time. On the other hand, a ceiling fan typically costs a paltry one penny to run per hour.
No, it is in fact not bad to keep turning your AC unit on and off. It might seem like a waste of energy to keep tampering with the AC settings throughout the day, but it can actually save you money on your energy bill. Air conditioners work best at cooling and dehumidifying when they run at full speed.
According to Energy Star, it's an ideal temperature. 78 degrees keeps you fairly cool and comfortable during the day. It also shouldn't make your electric bill skyrocket. Start with your thermostat at 78.
Air conditioners operate most efficiently when there is a reasonable gap between the indoor temperature and your cooling request. So turning your AC off to save money really doesn't work in the long run. But you can still save on electric bills by using other proven strategies.
Your air conditioner will end up constantly running because cooled air will not reach all the different areas of your home, but rather be blocked by the clogged air filter. Solution: Replace your AC's air filter every 30 to 90 days when the unit is in use or per the manufacturer's recommendations.
There are many potential causes for feeling hot in an air-conditioned room. One possibility is that the air conditioning unit isn't working correctly. If the unit isn't blowing cold air, it can't cool down the room. Another possibility is that the room is not well-insulated.
Why does my house feel hot at 72?
THE AC ISN'T SIZED PROPERLY
Its primary job is to cool the home, however a home with a temperature of 72 degrees will still feel hot if the humidity is too high. We find many homes actually have a unit that is too big. The home will cool off quickly, but the AC can't run long enough to begin removing humidity.
In the Mid-Atlantic region and in most regions of the United States except possibly Florida and Southern California and Texas, this simply isn't true. Even in many energy efficient homes, or homes that keep up on their ac repairs, wintertime heating costs can sometimes run nearly twice what AC costs to run.
The lower the temperature is inside of the home, the slower the rate of thermal energy loss. To achieve optimal comfort, it is recommended for homeowners to set their thermostats between 68 to 72 degrees while there are people inside of the home.
In winter, your split system should be set between 18°C and 21°C. This temperature range is generally the best for comfort, energy efficiency, and heating costs.
Be careful not to decrease your home's temperature to less than 55 degrees in winter or allow your home to warm to more than 80 degrees in summer, as it may leave your home susceptible to damage. An indoor temperature of less than 55 degrees may lead to freezing pipes, while anything more than 80 may damage drywall.
ANSWER: Anywhere from 55-62 degrees will keep your pipes from freezing while cutting your heating bill dramatically. PROCESS: While the weather outside is frightful and inside is so delightful, sooner or later you'll have to brave the blizzard and leave the house.
Eco Mode. The eco mode is one of the most energy-efficient modes on your air conditioner modes and functions. The eco mode works by efficiently using the AC unit's compressor and fan so that minimal energy is consumed to achieve the desired temperature.