It’s no secret that New Smyrna Beach can be hot and humid. Many people across the United States would take that over frigid cold any day of the week, but it does mean you need an efficient HVAC system to stay comfortable inside. When the outdoor air temperature fluctuates, is it bad to keep turning an AC on and off to compensate?
Altman’s Cooling and Heating provides premier AC repair in New Smyrna Beach. In this blog post, we’ll answer that question and more and offer tips for Florida homeowners.
Does Starting and Stopping My Air Conditioner Repeatedly Cost More?
Many people believe that repeatedly turning an air conditioning system off and on uses much more energy than just letting the unit run. Some people think it is bad to keep turning an AC on and off because it’s hard on the unit. Is it bad? Not necessarily.
Cooling a hot house can consume a lot of energy, especially at first. However, letting the AC unit run constantly is much more taxing on the air conditioner and costs a lot more in energy bills.
Starting and stopping your AC repeatedly is less likely to damage the unit and less likely to cause damage than letting it run constantly over long periods of time. This can overwork your AC over time and shorten the unit’s lifespan.
The best thing to do is to leave the air conditioning system off when you’re not home and to turn it on only when it’s too warm. (If you have pets or plants at home, please keep the house at a safe and comfortable temperature.)
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. During New Smyrna Beach’s times of extreme heat and humidity, your indoor air temperature may rise as soon as the AC stops. This means your unit has to work twice as hard to turn on again.
How To Maximize Air Conditioning Efficiency in New Smyrna Beach
So, we’ve answered the question, “Is it bad to keep turning an AC on and off?” and even though it is not necessarily bad, there are some tips to maximize your air conditioning system’s efficiency.
Find the Right Temperature
For most people, a temperature of 72-80 degrees is fine in the summer. This is the sweet spot between comfort and cost.
That’s when you’re home. What about when you’re at work for the day or running long errands? Raising the temperature 7-10 degrees can give you a 10% savings on your energy bill. That adds up to a lot over time.
Where you put the thermostat is also important. It should be away from windows and other sources of heat because they can give the thermostat false readings.
Air Conditioning Timing Is Everything
AC timing can also have a huge impact on your utility bills. Did you know that scheduling the HVAC system to cool unpopular hours can save you money?
If those temperatures do rise and the house gets uncomfortable, a ceiling fan can make a room feel about five degrees colder. This, when combined with smart AC usage, can save you as much as 40% on energy costs!
Consider a Smart Thermostat
Installing a smart thermostat is a great way to ensure your HVAC system runs only when you want it to, which can be efficient and cost-effective. The homeowner controls the smart thermostat remotely, which means you can make setting adjustments and schedule when it turns on with an app. This can lead to decreased energy use.
Some smart HVAC systems can sense human presence. Depending on how many people are in the room, they’ll cool it to an optimal temperature. If there’s nobody in the room, the system will remain off. This is a great feature for people who wonder if it is bad to keep turning the AC on and off because the system decides when to do that.
Contact Altman's Cooling and Heating for Air Conditioning Repair in New Smyrna Beach
Now that you know the answer to, “Is it bad to keep turning the AC on and off?” and the positive impact a smart thermostat can have on energy savings, you may want to know about installing a smart thermostat.
The expert team at Altman’s Cooling and Heating is here to answer questions such as, “Is it better to repair or replace HVAC?” and any others you have about your home’s climate control system. Call 321-383-7910 today for a free quote!