Why are there AC settings for when you’re not home? Whether you’re at work or on vacation, wouldn’t it be more cost-effective to turn off AC entirely rather than paying to cool an empty house? Let’s look at what happens when you turn off AC in your home.
Efficiency Settings
If your thermostat’s comfort setting is 72 degrees and the outside temperature gets up to 85 degrees during the day, then by shutting off your system, you’ll have to cool an 85-degree house down to 72 when you get home from work. However, if you instead input an energy-saving setting of 79 degrees, the temperature will go down more easily and more quickly.
Some say turning off your system ultimately uses more energy in cooling your home. This isn’t strictly true. Unless you have a variable-speed air handler, the AC runs at the same intensity no matter the heat. The only difference is that when you turn off AC, it runs longer when you turn it back on. However, if you leave it on, it will have been running periodically all day anyway, so the difference in energy usage is negligible.
Time and Comfort
The main issue with turning off your AC is that when you get home, your house will be uncomfortable. On a hot day, it can take upward of four to five hours to get your home down to your ideal temperature. By that time, you may already be ready for bed.
If you’re leaving for the day, your electric bill won’t suffer and your comfort will improve if you put the AC into energy-saving mode instead of shutting it off. However, if you’re leaving on vacation and will be gone for a few days or more, it’s better to turn off AC entirely. Invest in a smart thermostat whose settings you can control remotely and turn the AC back on when you’re a couple of hours from home. You’ll save energy while keeping your home comfortable.
For more help reducing energy usage while maximizing comfort, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We’re Lorain, Elyria, and Oberlin’s source for quality HVAC solutions.
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area