Is It Cheaper To Leave Your Air Conditioner on All Day During the Summer?

Air conditioning provides an essential escape from the scorching summer heat. You want to guarantee your AC unit is running properly before the hot weather arrives. 

At Inland Empire Comfort, we have a team of trained service professionals ready to assess and prepare your air conditioner for summertime temperatures. Read on to learn more about our expert Riverside HVAC contractors.

Is it cheaper to leave your air conditioner on all day during the summer, or should you turn it off when you go out? Let’s take a closer look and consider the energy costs for running your AC all day long during the summer months.

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.

When you turn your AC back on, the loss of cool air makes it work much harder to restore the cool temperature in your home, causing a spike in energy consumption and stress on your unit. In most cases, this means more frequent repairs and rising energy bills.

Energy Efficiency

Air conditioners monitor and maintain temperature and humidity levels. When you turn your AC off during a hot day, humidity has the chance to creep in and raise the temperature. 

When you decide to cool down your place, you do what most people do: turn the thermostat down. The cycle of forcing your AC to fight against extreme temperatures overworks and strains the unit.

Setting a Balance

Preserve your air conditioning system’s lifespan and energy consumption by maintaining a balance. You don’t want to turn your air conditioner off during the summer months. You want to create a humidity and temperature balance inside your home while you are out.

Before leaving for the day, adjust your air conditioner to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature setting saves energy while the AC unit runs in your absence. The Department of Energy recommends this specific setting to keep your home at a comfortable level while minimizing electricity consumption. 

Air Conditioning Cycles

Is it cheaper to leave the air conditioner on all day? Air conditioning systems work in cycles. They expel air that’s 15 to 20 degrees below the current temperature. Then, the thermostat assesses whether the air has reached the set temperature or whether additional cycles are necessary.

The 78-degree setting is reasonable for when you are out during the day. You can turn your thermostat down to 68 degrees for a cooler atmosphere when returning home. That mere ten-degree change ensures less strain on your AC unit and saves 10% on your electric bill.

Cool Summer Days

Check the weather forecast to determine whether the air outside is cool enough to make your house comfortable. If the humidity is low and there is a breeze, you could open the windows and let the wind cool down your space. On summer days when the temperature is not too hot, you could save on your energy bill by turning the air conditioner off for a while.

Programmable Thermostat

No one wants to come home to a hot, humid house after being outside in the summer heat. By investing in a programmable thermostat, you guarantee you’ll never have to open your door to a sweltering house again. This kind of thermostat lets you automatically program your AC unit to adjust the temperature throughout the day.

Sometimes, you might forget to adjust your thermostat temperature before leaving the house, but a programmable thermostat works every time. This thermostat saves you the headache of remembering to set your thermostat whenever you leave the house. 

Prevent Mold

Humid home atmospheres can lead to mold growth. The ideal humidity level for your home in the summer is 50%. Running your air conditioner at a slightly reduced level throughout the day can maintain a humidity level of about 55%. Even a 10% increase creates the perfect climate for mold growth.

Ward Off Insects

Insects love overly humid homes. When condensation drips down your windows and into your home’s wooden framework, it creates an appealing environment for critters. If insects set up a home inside the wood and the moist atmosphere causes the wood to rot, be prepared to face expensive repairs down the line.

Humidity Harms Your House

Have you ever noticed how some of your wooden doors are harder to close during the summer months? Humidity warps the shape of wood and causes it to expand, leading to unleveled wooden floorboards and slight changes in other wooden items around the house.

Humidity can damage wooden furniture and cause caulking to shrink, too. 

Reduce Energy Bills

Is it cheaper to leave the air conditioner on all day during the summer? In short, yes. Turning your air conditioner off and on will cost you more in the long run. Turning your thermostat up slightly when you leave the house will save a noticeable amount of money on your energy bills.

Prepare Your Air Conditioner

Summer is on its way, and our team at Inland Empire Comfort wants to ensure that your AC system is ready to take on the heat. We’ll determine your cooling needs and discuss the best plan to get the most out of your AC unit. 

Our team of experts has the knowledge and tools to handle all your cooling and heating needs. We aim to deliver service that exceeds your expectations, reduces your bills, and guarantees your equipment is working efficiently. To get the most out of your AC system, you may want to read more and learn where you should install your AC.

For quality HVAC service and repairs, trust Inland Empire Comfort. Call (951) 336-1892 today for a complimentary consultation!