Reduced Energy Bills Turning off your AC when you're not home is like hitting the jackpot for your electricity bill. It's simple: less AC running time equals less money from your wallet. Think about it; air conditioners are energy hogs, gobbling up power to keep your space cool.
It's enough to give cash-strapped households pause the next time they go to flip on the air conditioner. But would keeping the unit off when you're not home actually reduce your bill? The answer is probably not. In milder climates, turning off the A/C for a few hours a day could save some energy and cash.
Switching the air-conditioner off saves electricity. Leaving it off while you are out of the building saves electricity. Switching it on when you return will mean it takes longer to reach comfort conditions than if you had left it running. So put up with discomfort for a few minutes and save on electricity.
leaving it on all day and night is better for the HVAC system because it's less taxing. Should you turn off your AC when on vacation? HVAC experts agree it's better to keep your AC on when you're on vacation, especially if you don't plan to leave any windows open.
But, generally speaking, if you want to get the best cost and comfort, set the temperature on your AC unit to 77 or 78 degrees Fahrenheit, and just leave it running. Bonus points if your unit has an “auto” setting, and if you've made sure the place is weather-tight and insulated.
Best AC Temperature Settings While You Are Home
As you consider the most comfortable room temperature for your lifestyle and family, keep in mind that for each degree that you set your thermostat above 72 degrees, you can save up to 3% on your energy bill.
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.
Is it OK to turn AC on and off frequently? Yes, it's okay to turn your AC on and off frequently. It can save you money on your energy bill, and your AC works best when it runs at full speed.
AC definitely consumes more power than a Fan or a cooler, and how many hours will run AC depends on that your electricity bill will shoot up.
According to the Department of Energy1, 78° Fahrenheit is the sweet spot for air conditioners to balance energy savings and comfort when people are at home and need cooling.
When should you turn off your air conditioner? The answer is when the average daytime temperature stays consistently below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. But if you want to save money and reduce your environmental impact, it's best to turn off your AC as soon as the weather starts to cool down.
Prevent Mold and Bugs with Proper AC Use
Humidity is also perfect for mold growth. Bugs also prefer humid temperatures, so a humid home can be the perfect breeding ground for pests. Leaving the AC off for long periods of time gives mold and bugs enough time to settle in the higher humidity.
On an average summer day, a general guideline is that your AC should operate between 12 and 16 hours. However, several factors can influence this, including the outdoor temperature, desired indoor temperature, the size and type of your unit, and your home's energy efficiency.
Eco or energy-saving mode
This is the ideal mode for users looking to save up on energy bills by toning down the performance of the AC and its compressor. Eco-mode uses less electricity by automatically adjusting the fan speed and temperature, while still maintaining a comfortable level of cooling.
Older homes with poor insulation have walls, windows, and doors that let air conditioned air escape, forcing heating and cooling systems to work overtime. Outdated appliances also use more energy than their modern counterparts. While getting upgrades may cost you upfront, it may end up saving you money in the long run.
The Myth About Turning Your AC Off to Save Money
But this is 100% false. But why? If you're keeping your air conditioning system on at all times—even when you're not home—you're not using your AC as efficiently as you could be.
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.
Turning off the AC using the main power plug or switch completely cuts off the electricity supply to the unit. This action stops all electrical components from consuming power, including the display panel and sensors.
Let's see how much air-conditioning costs every month (assuming it runs for 8 hours per day). The cheapest option is $14.40 per month and $211.20 per month on the high end. With these figures, the annual cost would be between $172.80 and $2,534.40.
The average cost per kWh in the US is currently $0.11, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). This means an AC unit could cost you from $5.17 to $5.94 per day to run. Or about $155-$178 per month you're running it.
Heating and cooling: 45-50%
The largest electricity consumer in the average household is your heating and cooling appliance. By a long shot. Central air conditioners and heaters use tons of energy in order to keep your home set to the right temperature.