Why Does Turning AC On and Off Cost More?

A lot of homeowners ask, does turning AC on and off cost more? Or does leaving the air conditioner on higher energy bills? Unfortunately, this puzzling question has no straightforward answer, as it depends on several factors. Such as the location where the AC is being used, the size and type of the AC, the efficiency of the insulation, and some other factors.

Please scroll down to learn when it is better to leave your AC on and when it is better to turn the AC on and off in order to save on higher energy bills.

Does Turning AC On and Off Really Cost More?

You might think that tampering with Your AC setting throughout the day can be a waste of money, as it results in higher energy bills, but turning the AC on and off costs less than leaving it on throughout the day. Air conditioning units work best at dehumidifying and cooling when running at full speed. Leaving your system running all day can result in more energy consumption.

There is a misconception that tampering with the setting of an air conditioner frequently costs more energy consumption because every time you turn the system on, it has to work at its full capacity to get the desired degree of temperature. It is true that an air conditioner has to work harder and at its full capacity to get the desired temperature; this energy consumption would be far less than the total that will be consumed if you leave the system running all day long.

Overall, turning your AC on and off frequently does not cost more energy consumption if you intend on turning it off for several hours before the next operation.

Ways of Conserving Energy

If you have a mini split of central air conditioning systems, you can save on energy consumption in the following ways without turning your system completely off for certain hours:

1.      Install a Ceiling Fan

Having ceiling fans installed in particularly warm areas of your home can help improve the efficiency of your cooling system. Though ceiling fans won’t make your space cooler, they can help move air around. Leaving your ceiling fans on throughout the day may seem like higher energy consumption, but it can maintain a consistent temperature level in your home and make your AC run more efficiently.

2.      Install a Programmable Thermostat

If you think turning AC on and off is a bad idea, you can actually conserve your energy consumption by buying a programmable thermostat. Program your thermostat to turn off or increase the temperature while you’re not at home. You can set it to start cooling down your home when you’re about to return home.

You should buy a programable thermostat that suits your home’s HVAC system because not every model is sure to work with the heat pump.

Although it’s not bad to turn your AC on and off, it is essential to implement changes that can maximize efficiency. Along with the above-mentioned ways, ensuring proper cooling system maintenance is also vital for energy conservation. Our team of pros at Tempacure Heating & Air Conditioning can help make your home comfortable without worrying about higher energy bills.