home air conditioning question:
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home air conditioning question:
If nobody is home all day (from about 7am to 5pm), does it really save money to just leave the AC on instead of shutting it off until you get home? That's what I've been told by an HVAC person but I wonder....
Lately I've been leaving it on but turning the thermostat up until I get home.
Lately I've been leaving it on but turning the thermostat up until I get home.
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From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
I have an Auto Setback themostat, but I was told by the tech not to set a differential of more than 5-6 degrees, summer or winter. One of the volunteers in the Scout Troop does home energy audits for a local utility, and he said the same thing.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Miami
I agree. As an A/C contractor in Miami, the worst thing you could do is shut off an A/C in The daytime. After the A/C removes all the heat and moisture from the air in the home, you just invite it back in during the daytime when the A/C is off. Now the A/C has to work twice as hard to remove all the heat & humidity again...... The A/c will run half the time to drop the temp 2-3 degree's as per the 5++ that can occur during the off time. How high you set it will depend on your comfort zone. If ya like it at 75 when you get home then 78 is a good temp. However if you like it at 72, well then get ready to pay an expensive electric bill and set your temp at about 76 during the day. Just my 2 cents.
Al
Al
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From: Atlanta GA
> does it really save money to just leave the AC on
Yes, because everything in the house reaches what the air temperature is and then you have to cool everything off including the hot hot ceilings, walls, and floors.
Plus, in hot humid climates, the A/C helps prevents mold and wet walls. Especially on slab or crawlspace type houses without a basement.
If your freezer and fridge are in 90+ degree air, they work harder then 78 degrees. Which costs more money.
I think 78 while not home and then 72 once you get home is a good compromise.
Yes, because everything in the house reaches what the air temperature is and then you have to cool everything off including the hot hot ceilings, walls, and floors.
Plus, in hot humid climates, the A/C helps prevents mold and wet walls. Especially on slab or crawlspace type houses without a basement.
If your freezer and fridge are in 90+ degree air, they work harder then 78 degrees. Which costs more money.
I think 78 while not home and then 72 once you get home is a good compromise.
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From: eastern nc
No professional data but I used to turn my AC off during the day while I was gone. When I came home and turned it on it would take 3-5 hours to make the house comfortable. A friend in the AC business told me I wasn't saving anything by doing that, so I just left it on. I don't recall it being any different on the power bill but it was a lot more comfortable.
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Posting Guru
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From: N. Mississippi
I leave mine on but raise the thermostat if I am going to be gone most of the day.
After about 10pm here....my ac goes off and rarely comes on at night so it's not costing me in electricity during the sleeping hours.
After about 10pm here....my ac goes off and rarely comes on at night so it's not costing me in electricity during the sleeping hours.
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From: Southern Louisiana
Originally Posted by chefbob
I leave mine on, also a dehumidifier in the basement and an attic fan. Yes I
am a slave to the Electric company! And yes I sleep like a baby at night!
am a slave to the Electric company! And yes I sleep like a baby at night!
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Chino Valley, Arizona
117 degrees today!!!!!!!! it stays on
My electric bill is cheaper ($350 not $360) if I leave the thermostat at about 77, was keeping it at 78 to 79 and the unit was cycling a lot at 77 or lower it doesn't cycle as bad and runs cheaper.
Also the unit is 1 year old 13 SEER 3 ton
My electric bill is cheaper ($350 not $360) if I leave the thermostat at about 77, was keeping it at 78 to 79 and the unit was cycling a lot at 77 or lower it doesn't cycle as bad and runs cheaper.
Also the unit is 1 year old 13 SEER 3 ton
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From: Las Vegas, NV
I have an auto set back unit and I set it back 4 degrees for the time we are not at home. I work outside most of the day here in Las Vegas and in the summer I come home hot and tired. I usually turn the air down two degrees so I can sit under a vent for a few minutes to return to normal from a human fireball. I know that costs me a few bucks each month but what the hey!
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smokestone:
I work outdoors too, and want to be able to cool off when I get home. My wife is not bothered by the heat & prefers not to turn the AC on no matter how hot it gets. We had a lot of battles over this issue but now the AC stays on & she goes outside where she can smoke.
Thanks to all who responded...I think with the digital set-back thermostats selling for only about $25., there's really no excuse to not have one & use it.
I work outdoors too, and want to be able to cool off when I get home. My wife is not bothered by the heat & prefers not to turn the AC on no matter how hot it gets. We had a lot of battles over this issue but now the AC stays on & she goes outside where she can smoke.
Thanks to all who responded...I think with the digital set-back thermostats selling for only about $25., there's really no excuse to not have one & use it.
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