Here are the brass tacks: Your air conditioner is the most efficient when it's running at maximum “speed” for a longer period of time, rather than short cycles in and out of “maintenance” temperatures.
In a perfect situation, an air conditioner should run for 15-20 minutes at a time in mild temperatures. Any less than that and your AC could be too large for your home – more on that below. Obviously, if you hear your air conditioner run constantly, it is taking a toll on your electricity bill.
Cooling a house from 80 to 72 degrees is a common goal for many, especially during the peak of summer. On average, this process takes roughly two and a half to three and a half hours.
Yes, remember that longer run times are better for your comfort and your energy bill. When the system starts is when the most energy is used. It's better if the thing ran non stop than it would be to cycle multiple times per hour. Also get much better humidity control with longer run times.
Even if you prefer leaving your air conditioner running when you're home, we recommend turning your system off anytime you leave the house for more than an hour or two. This practice can lower your energy bill and save you money in other ways.
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.
The short answer is yes, it is cheaper to leave your air conditioner on all day. But this does not mean that you should leave it on full blast, keeping your home so cold that you need a sweater or jacket to be comfortable.
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.
Allowing your air conditioner to rest is an excellent way to extend its life and ensure it operates efficiently throughout the years. Air conditioners, like homeowners, require rest in order to recover and perform optimally.
Travelling at speeds over 50mph - in this instance, it's more economical to use the air conditioning system. This is because the drag from opening your windows will have more resistance at high speeds, so it's more beneficial to use the air conditioning system.
If it's 90 degrees outside, most people would set their AC to a perfectly comfortable temperature of 68-72°F.
Energy Efficiency: Setting the thermostat to 78-80 degrees can help save energy and reduce utility bills. Raising the thermostat during extremely hot days can save you up to 10-15% on your cooling costs, depending on factors like your home's insulation and your AC's efficiency level.
Typically, it takes about an hour for an average-sized air conditioning unit in typical conditions to lower room temperature by one degree Fahrenheit. But remember, 'average' doesn't mean 'always'. Like people, every AC has its personality – some are sprinters while others prefer marathons.
Ideally, air conditioning systems should cycle for 15 to 20 minutes.
Here's the thing: It's normal for your AC to run continuously during hot summer months. You see, on extremely hot days—we're talkin' high 90s to 100s—your system needs to keep up with the incoming heat. To do that, it will run longer in order to maintain a constant, desired temperature in your home.
Electricity usage can vary depending on different factors. On average, a home air conditioner can use about 3,000 watts of electricity an hour. If you have it on all day, that's 72,000 watts of electricity a day! However, running it on the 'fan-only' mode will only consume about 750 watts an hour.
Depending on the system, an optimal time of 3 minutes is required before switching the system on. If the system is turned on without waiting for at least 3 minutes, the system can start with a pressure load. This pressure load prevents the system from cooling properly, which could affect the system in the long run.
Your AC unit doesn't need to rest during the sweltering summer heat. Air conditioners are designed to operate continuously for extended periods, especially during summer when the heat is at its peak. In fact, shutting your AC unit off for extended periods could actually hurt your unit in the long run.
While ENERGY STAR suggests 82 degrees, that may be too uncomfortable for most families. Most people sleep better when their sleeping area is chilly, so that's why the National Sleep Foundation advises 60–67 degrees.
The best way to save money is by combining both. The “run” feature lets you preset the temperature when you're not home to prevent wasting money on cooling or heating an empty home. Meanwhile, the “hold” button lets you change the room's temperature without changing your energy-saving, preset schedule.
What is the Best Thermostat Setting for Summer Air Conditioner Use? Energy Star recommends the following thermostat temperatures for your air conditioner in the summer: 78°F during the day if people are home. 82°F at night if people are home.
When things are working right, your central air conditioner should run for 15 to 20 minutes and then turn off for a few minutes. It will do this two or three times every hour. It may run longer when it's sweltering outside.
First, check your filters and coils for dirt and debris that may be impeding airflow. Once you've cleaned the filters and coils, run the air conditioner with just the fan so that the ice accumulation can melt off. If the AC still doesn't blow cold air, it could be that refrigerant levels are too low.
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.