Is It Safe to Let My AC Unit Run Continuously? [Answered by Experts]
Air conditioners are one of the biggest energy consumers in our homes, especially during the cruel summer months. As a result, there is an ongoing debate about whether it’s more efficient to keep the AC running continuously or to run it in intervals. This guide aims to explore the optimal way to use your air conditioning unit, providing maximum comfort while minimizing your energy bill.
During summer, we all crave the relief of cool air, but leaving your AC running all day can be a costly endeavor. Many homeowners turn off their air conditioners when they’re away from home or during the night to save on their electricity bills. However, this approach may not always be the most energy-efficient solution.
In this article, we’ll talk about the factors that influence the optimal use of your air conditioner. We’ll discuss the impact of running your AC continuously versus cycling it on and off, the role of programmable thermostats, and the importance of proper HVAC maintenance.
Contents
How Does Your AC Cool Your Home?
Source: Carrier
When you turn on your air conditioner, the thermostat detects the temperature in your home. If it’s higher than the desired temperature you’ve set, the cooling process begins. The AC unit has a compressor that pumps a special liquid called refrigerant, which absorbs heat from the indoor air.
The compressor raises the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant, turning it into a hot gas. This hot refrigerant moves through the condenser coils located outside your home, where it releases the absorbed heat. As the heat dissipates, the refrigerant cools down and condenses back into a liquid form.
Next, the cooled liquid refrigerant travels through the evaporator coils inside your home. As the refrigerant passes through these coils, it absorbs heat from the indoor air, causing it to turn into a cool gas. This cool gas is then circulated throughout your home by the air handler, providing you with refreshing cold air.
At the same time, the air handler pulls in the warm air from your living space, passing it over the evaporator coils to remove the heat. The cycle then repeats, continuously cooling the air in your home until it reaches the desired temperature set on your thermostat.
Some modern air conditioners have inverter technology, which allows the compressor to run at variable speeds. This feature helps maintain a consistent temperature without constantly turning the unit on and off, saving energy and reducing wear and tear on the system.
Is It Better To Run AC Continuously Or In Intervals?
Many homeowners tend to turn off their air conditioners when they leave home, with the belief that it will save energy and reduce their electricity bills. However, this is not always the most efficient approach.
While it may seem logical to turn off your AC unit when you’re away, doing so can actually cause your air conditioner to work harder and run for longer periods when you return home. This is because the system will have to cool down the entire house from a higher starting temperature, requiring more energy and run time to reach your desired temperature.
In fact, it’s generally more energy-efficient to leave your air conditioner running, even when you’re away from home for a few hours. This way, the AC unit can maintain a consistent temperature without having to work as hard to cool down a hot house.
However, if you plan to be away for an extended period, such as a full workday or a vacation, it’s wise to raise the thermostat temperature by a few degrees. According to experts, increasing the temperature by just 1 degree can improve your AC’s efficiency by 1 to 5%, leading to significant savings on your energy bill.
For instance, homeowners who increase their thermostats by 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours a day can reduce cooling costs by 10%(approximately). The amount of savings will depend on various factors, such as your energy rates, the efficiency of your AC system, and the temperature setting you choose.
So, while completely turning off your air conditioner when you leave for short periods may not be the most efficient approach, adjusting the thermostat to a slightly higher temperature can help you save energy and money without sacrificing comfort when you return home.
Are You Feeling The Need To Run Your AC Nonstop?
If you find yourself needing to run your air conditioner continuously, there are several steps you can take to improve its efficiency and reduce energy consumption:
1. Install a ceiling fan
A ceiling fan helps maintain airflow in the room, circulating the cool air from your AC unit. While fans won’t directly cool the room, they make it feel cooler by moving the air around. This can help your HVAC system run more efficiently, as it won’t have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature.
It may seem counterintuitive, but leaving a ceiling fan on can actually help your home maintain a more consistent temperature without relying solely on your AC. If you utilize air conditioning to lower the temperature in your house, having a ceiling fan can enable you to increase the thermostat setting by approximately 4°F without sacrificing comfort.
2. Buy a programmable thermostat
A programmable thermostat is a great investment if you want to save energy without sacrificing comfort. You can program it to increase the temperature in your home while you’re away, and then set it to begin cooling down before you return.
Thirty to 60 minutes before you head home, you can remotely adjust the thermostat to your desired temperature. This way, you’ll come back to a cool and comfortable home without having to run your air conditioner continuously throughout the day.
3. Choose the right size AC for your room
If your air conditioner is too small to cool the size of your room correctly, you might have to overwork the compressor, which can lead to issues. Make sure your AC unit is appropriately sized for the space it needs to cool.
4. Create cross ventilation
Source: Southern Athena
Opening windows strategically can help cool your home naturally. The trick is to open them just a crack to create a draft and allow for cross breezes. In a one-story house or a single room, crack the bottom sash of one window and the top sash of another to create a cross breeze.
In a two-story house, open a window on the first floor and another on the opposite side of the house upstairs. This natural ventilation can help reduce your reliance on the AC and improve indoor air quality.
Contact HVAC Angel for Quality Air Conditioner Service
At HVAC Angel, we take pride in being a trusted resource for homeowners seeking quality air conditioning services. Our mission is to provide you with the information and expertise you need to keep your home comfortable while saving energy and reducing costs.
As a leading HVAC company, we partner with several licensed and certified technicians so that you receive top-notch service. Our team of professionals is equipped with the latest tools and technology, enabling them to accurately diagnose and resolve any issues with your air conditioning system.
We understand the importance of a well-functioning AC unit, especially during the tough summer months. That’s why we strive to offer prompt and reliable service, so that your home stays cool and your energy bills remain manageable.
If you’re in need of air conditioner installation, repair, or maintenance, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our customer service representatives are available to assist you and connect you with our partnered HVAC technician in your area.
Simply call us at [phone number] or visit our website, enter your zip code, and you’ll be promptly connected with a certified professional ready to serve you. Our team will work diligently to make sure your air conditioning unit is operating at peak efficiency, providing you with the cool comfort you deserve.
Don’t let the heat get the best of you. Choose HVAC Angel for all your air conditioning needs and experience the difference that our quality service can make. Contact us today and let us help you beat the summer heat while saving energy and money.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How to not let my AC overrun?
To prevent your AC from overrunning, make sure it’s the proper size for the space it needs to cool. Also, keep your AC well-maintained with regular cleanings and filter replacements. Using ceiling fans and natural ventilation can also reduce the load on your AC.
2. Do I need to get my AC checked if I feel the need to run it nonstop?
Yes, if you find yourself needing to run your air conditioner constantly, it’s a good idea to have it inspected by a professional HVAC technician. This could indicate an issue with the unit, such as a refrigerant leak, a clogged air filter, or other mechanical problems that may be causing it to work harder than necessary.
3. Will it impact my bill significantly if I use a programmable thermostat?
Using a programmable thermostat can have a significant impact on your energy bill in a positive way. By setting the temperature higher when you’re away from home, you can reduce the amount of time your AC needs to run, potentially saving you up to 10% on your cooling costs according to energy experts.
4. Is leaving the AC on during peak hours a good decision economically?
Generally, it’s not the most economical decision to leave your air conditioner running at full capacity during peak hours when electricity rates are highest. Instead, it’s better to raise the temperature a few degrees during those hours to reduce the AC’s workload and save on your energy costs.