Some people think that it is necessary to leave their air conditioner on all the time during the summer months. This, however, is not true. There are some benefits of turning your air conditioner off and on in contrast to keeping it running 24/7, such as:
There may be a slight temperature difference when you turn your AC on and off versus keeping it running constantly. However, this difference is negligible and does not outweigh the benefits of turning the system on and off.
There will be energy savings when you turn your AC on and off. This helps both during summertime and wintertime because flipping the system on and off causes less wear and tear than leaving it on all the time. The indoor unit fan should not be shut down while the outdoor unit is still running.
Your home will dehumidify faster if your AC is turned off when you are away during the day or at night after everyone has gone to bed for the evening. At these times, it is best to keep the windows closed to prevent heat from coming inside.
Your air conditioner will be ready to go when you are at home. It should take less time to cool the house down if your AC is already off, meaning that it can get hotter faster. This means that your unit does not have to work as hard to reach the desired temperature.
Why Leaving Your AC Constantly Running Might Be Better
Leaving your air conditioner on all the time may be better than turning it off and on. Though there are some benefits to switching the unit off, there are also some negatives that can occur when you turn it off to save energy or money. Some of these negatives include:
It takes more energy to power up your AC system than to keep it running. The outside compressor works harder when the indoor fan is turned on, so this can waste more energy.
Leaving your AC off for long periods can cause your home to feel warmer than normal because there is no air coming through the vents. This will lead you to turn up the thermostat higher to reach the desired temperature and worst, it can lead to air conditioning problems.
Your home may not dehumidify properly if your AC is turned off for long periods. If you do not turn your system on and off regularly, humidity levels in the home will rise to levels that are uncomfortable for you and your family. This can cause mold and mildew growth within walls and other areas of the house.
If your AC is turned on before you get home for the day, it will take longer to cool down your home than if it is turned off while you are away and then turned back on when you return. This means that over time, more energy is consumed by keeping the air conditioner running.
Why Constantly Turning Your AC On or Off Is Not Recommended
It is not recommended to keep your air conditioner constantly on or constantly off. Though there are certain situations in which it might be beneficial to turn the unit off, such as if nobody will be home for an extended period, the benefits do not outweigh the cons that may occur when you turn your system off and on regularly. Some reasons why you should not constantly turn your air conditioner on or off include:
You will be locked into a schedule where it is not possible to change the temperature in your home based on whether you are home or away. This can lead to unwanted fluctuations in temperature, which will prevent your system from running efficiently.
If humidity levels inside of your home are already high, it is best to keep your air conditioner off because the unit will work even harder to cool down the house.
Keeping your AC running can save you money in the long run if you use a programmable thermostat that switches the unit off during periods when nobody is home. On the other hand, to avoid this future air conditioning problems, you should definitely hire a repair expert for advice and recommendation.
