Don't turn off the unit entirely if you're simply going to work. "If you're just leaving home for the day, it's more energy efficient to keep your air conditioning turned on – but turn it a few degrees higher than you might set it for comfort if you were at home," Kureczka says via email.
It is generally recommended to turn off the air conditioner when you are not home. This will help you save energy and reduce your electricity bill. Additionally, continuously running the air conditioner can put unnecessary strain on the unit, leading to potential malfunctions or breakdowns.
Leaving your AC running when you're not home is often the best choice for both your comfort and your home's well-being. By setting your thermostat correctly and leveraging modern technology, you can protect your home from humidity damage, ensure a comfortable return, and still maintain energy efficiency.
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.
Your best approach is to leave the AC on while you're away. Set it to 85 degrees. That won't break the bank and it will help keep extreme temperatures and humidity at bay. You can also program your thermostat to run cooler during the high heat of the day and throttle down to a more cost-effective setting at night.
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.
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.
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.
It can also decrease wear and tear on your system from less starting and stopping. As long as you are staying comfortable, your home is reaching set thermostat temperature on very hot days and airflow from vents is normal, and your energy bills are about the same as they were last year – there's likely not a problem.
AUTO is significantly more energy efficient between the two modes since the fan is only running when your AC is going through its cooling cycle. This takes less power, which is more budget-friendly, with some estimates showing you can save as much as $50 per month just by keeping your AC on AUTO.
Yes, you should turn off your AC if it's not cooling. Continuing to run a malfunctioning AC can strain the compressor and other components, leading to more severe and costly repairs.
When you're planning to be away from home, setting your AC to the right temperature is crucial for balancing energy savings with protective measures for your home. Experts generally recommend setting your air conditioner to 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you're away.
Yes, frequent cycling of your air conditioner can lead to increased wear, more repairs, and a shorter lifespan for your system. Avoid frequent cycling to maintain the longevity of your AC.
The resulting enclosed dark and damp environment created an almost perfect situation for mold spores to grow. In the summer, a closed house with the air-conditioning turned off will have higher humidity levels than an air-conditioned home.
The recommended rule of thumb for summertime is to set the temperature to 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you're home and higher when you're away. In general, set it to 82 degrees Fahrenheit when you're asleep and 85 degrees Fahrenheit when you're away.
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.
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.
The lowest outside temperature at which to run your AC is typically around 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit. At temperatures below this range, your air conditioner might not operate efficiently, causing increased energy consumption and potential strain on the system.
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.
It's more energy-efficient to keep your AC on but set a few degrees higher when you're away from home for the day. Completely turning it off doesn't necessarily save energy as the unit will have to run longer to cool down a hot house upon your return.
When you head out of town for a few days, a week, or even more, it's much safer to leave the cooling system running than to turn it off. This is because summer conditions can cause damage inside your home if there is no AC unit running to help keep them under control.
The AC should be switched off from the main source. If left on, it is an ideal load and results in a waste of electricity. This is because the compressor is kept on so that it can immediately start when required. Thus, when the cooling is not needed, the machine should be switched off from the main source.
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.
Leaving your air conditioner on all day is not cheaper than turning it off when you don't need it. While it may seem more convenient to keep the AC running 24/7, doing so will consume more energy overall and lead to higher electricity bills.
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.