Homeowners have a lot of questions regarding best AC use practices. How can they optimize household AC use to derive the most comfort while keeping costs down? One common inquiry is whether to turn the AC off when leaving the home.
Leaving the AC On or Off
There’s no uniform answer. It depends on multiple factors, which we’ll discuss. It really comes down to how much energy the AC will require to remove heat from the home interior. The following recommendations are based on results from an HVAC study conducted at the University of Colorado.
When to Turn Off the AC
If the home is going to be unoccupied for eight or more hours, then turning off the AC may yield noticeable savings on your energy bill. This applies across multiple AC types, from traditional air conditioners to modern ductless cooling systems.
Leaving the system off for four hours yielded mixed results and may have minor savings compared to leaving the system on all day.
The Variables
The above findings don’t fully take into account the varying factors at play. Even leaving the AC off all day won’t have a significant impact if issues like poor insulation and high humidity are at play. In addition, if the HVAC has a dirty air filter or is otherwise poorly maintained, it may not sufficiently remove warm air irrespective if you let the household AC run all day or not. This is why it’s important to schedule routine maintenance, especially if you have a traditional AC with a duct network that needs regular cleaning.
Need Household AC Maintenance Near Sumner?
Schedule an HVAC inspection this summer with WestCoast Heating and Air. We perform an assessment of your system’s condition and indoor air quality. With our findings, we can recommend whether turning the AC off may be beneficial.
Household AC Maintenance Near Sumner
Serving Puyallup, Auburn, Federal Way, Sumner, Orting, Graham, Bonney Lake, Tacoma, South King Country and Pierce County
Posted on July 11, 2024 | Published by Ignite Local | Related Local Business