Giving your air conditioner a 15 to 30-minute break every 2 to 3 hours of uninterrupted functioning can be beneficial. The system can cool down, and its parts can rest during this time, reducing the stress on the unit.
Once the AC completes a cycle of about 15 and 20 minutes, it should remain off for 7 to 10 minutes. This helps it cool off before starting another cycle. The stops happen 2 to three times per hour.
The biggest determinant in how long you should run your AC is whether your home uses central air or a wall/window unit. In general, wall and window air conditioning units with smaller capacities can typically run for up to eight hours at a time before they need to rest.
If it's 90 degrees outside, most people would set their AC to a perfectly comfortable temperature of 68-72°F.
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.
If it was on its side for more than a day, leave standing for 24 hours before running. If it was laying on its side just briefly to service, clean, or adjust, then just a few minutes of stand time will be enough.
After finding the circuit breaker for your AC unit, flip it to the off position. Leave it off for around 30 minutes, then flip it back to the on position. If you have fuses, you can only reset the AC by taking the fuse out.
Your AC might not cool properly due to thermostat issues, an undersized unit, or extremely high outdoor temps—so check those first. Keep an eye on airflow—replace clogged filters every 3 months, and make sure vents and ducts aren't blocked for efficient cooling.
Just because the outdoor temperature is above 100, the Ideal temperature to set your AC unit to doesn't change — it's 78 degrees. Higher temperatures in the home are to be expected when the weather is hotter than usual, but your thermostat can still be set the same as if it were a lower temperature outside.
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.
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.
Leave Your Air Conditioner On
You might think you're saving money by turning your AC off when you step out of the house. However, a wave of heat and humidity can sneak into your home in the interim. Therefore, leaving your air conditioner on all day in hot temperatures is more energy efficient.
As it turns out, the most efficient way to keep your home cool and the bills low is to leave the AC running—ideally, with the temperature turned up toward the upper 70s.
On a 90-degree day, your AC system might need to run more frequently to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. Typically, an AC unit should run for about 15-20 minutes per cycle.
There are a few reasons you don't want to run your AC system all the time: System stress: Your air conditioner unit needs time to take a break. If it's running all the time, it can be damaging to the system and lead to the need for a costly replacement. Energy bills: The cost to run your AC 24/7 can be high.
Check the Unit's Condenser
If you shield it for the winter, remove the covering. If you left it exposed, make sure the unit is clear of dirt and other debris by hosing down the coils. Dirty coils can drastically affect how the system operates, as they force it to work a lot harder.
While the standard room temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit is commonly favored by many, others argue for higher settings, particularly when it's hotter outside.
For many of us, 70 degrees is the ideal indoor temperature, but when it is close to 100 degrees outside, your AC unit will be working quite hard to meet these expectations. Consider setting your thermostat at 75 degrees to 80 degrees in your home if the outside temperature is approaching triple digits.
Sleeping in a room with the air conditioner set to an appropriate temperature is important for quality sleep. The ideal AC temperature for sleeping is around 65°F (18.3°C). However, this may differ between individuals, who might find their ideal AC temperature lies between 60 and 67°F (15.6 and 19.4°C).
Air conditioners make homes more comfortable on hot and humid days. So, it can be frustrating when the AC is not cooling below 75 degrees, even if it has been running for hours. Many factors can cause this issue, including clogged filters, refrigerant leaks and the wrong unit size.
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.
In general, 80 degrees is too hot for a house if people are inside. However, if people aren't home during the day or for vacation during the summer, an indoor temperature of 80 degrees can save energy until you return and lower the temperature.
Giving your air conditioner a 15 to 30-minute break every 2 to 3 hours of uninterrupted functioning can be beneficial. The system can cool down, and its parts can rest during this time, reducing the stress on the unit.
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.
Allow a 3-minute break after turning the AC on or off and reset the circuit breaker 24 hours prior to first use to prevent damage and improve efficiency. Perform a pre-start inspection by cleaning the unit, checking filters and coils, and starting the AC in fan mode before cooling to ensure it runs smoothly.