Shutting off the AC before you leave the house may seem like a simple way to save electricity — after all, if no one is home, the temperature inside the house shouldn’t matter, right? Unfortunately, turning off the air conditioner often causes more problems than it solves. Even worse, you might end up using more electricity in the long-run.
If your goal is to save money on your next utility bill, there are certainly better ways to do so. The following include some reasons why you should leave the air conditioner running when you leave the house.
Do you suspect your AC unit to be underperforming? Contact Bloomington Heating & Air today to schedule HVAC services!
Save Money On Cooling
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. That’s because leaving the house without air conditioning can make the house a lot warmer than it would be otherwise, making it harder for the HVAC unit to lower the temperature when you come back.
Let’s say you shut down the AC in the morning before you head to work. By the time you return, the house could be uncomfortably warm (probably more so than the temperature outside). It is so warm, in fact, that your AC unit now has to exert more energy to lower the indoor air temperature than it would have if it was left on. The more energy used, the higher the electricity bill at the end of the month.
Instead of entirely shutting down the air conditioner, raise the thermostat 7 to 10 degrees before leaving and then lower to the preferred temperature once you arrive back home.
Protection From Mold & Bugs
Air conditioners’ primary function is keeping your home cool. But, they are also great at reducing humidity throughout the house. Higher humidity levels can make a house feel warmer and uncomfortable. Humidity is also perfect for mold growth. Bugs also prefer humid temperatures, so a humid home can be the perfect breeding ground for pests. Leaving the AC off for long periods of time gives mold and bugs enough time to settle in the higher humidity.
To prevent this, raise the temperature on your AC unit 7 to 10 degrees and leave it running while you’re away. Doing so can reduce humidity inside and lower the chances of unwanted mold growth or pest infestations.
Keeps Things Comfortable
Coming home after a long day to warm, uncomfortable temperatures is less than ideal. Ideally, your air conditioner should be set somewhere between 10 to 15 degrees lower than the outside temperature for optimal cooling and comfort. For example, if it’s 90 degrees outside, you’ll want to keep the temperature inside roughly around 77 degrees inside.
Keeping the air conditioner running under these guidelines makes it easier for your unit to lower the temperature indoors when you return home.
How Regular HVAC Maintenance Can Help
Avoid coming home to a hot apartment and keep yourself cool and comfortable with regular air conditioning maintenance from Bloomington Heating & Air. Regular maintenance helps prolong the lifespan of your HVAC unit, reduce cooling costs, and sustain your system’s efficiency. For residential HVAC maintenance, contact our technicians today!