Air conditioners offer the needed comfort from the scorching heat and high humidity that summer brings. However, many homeowners often find themselves wondering whether it is more cost-effective to leave the air conditioner on all day or turn it on only when needed. This article will answer these questions and help you decide which option is best for your home.
Why It Is Cheaper and More Efficient to Leave Your AC on All Day
Generally, it is more economical to let your air conditioner run all day, especially on sweltering days. Switching off your air conditioner during the summer months rapidly initiates a great deal of heat and humidity in your home. This causes your air conditioner to operate at a high capacity to reduce the extreme temperature and humidity levels in your home to a comfortable range.
As your AC unit constantly works harder for longer hours, it eventually wears out and may even break down. This forces you to schedule numerous repairs and replacements down the road, which can be expensive. Additionally, the unit utilizes a lot of energy, resulting in higher electricity bills.
However, if your AC unit is on all day, it will be able to regulate your indoor temperature and humidity at constant, comfortable levels throughout the day. This way, the unit will use less electricity, saving you money on utility bills.
Risks of Leaving Your AC on All Day
Although letting your AC run all day can be cost-effective, allowing it to operate on full blast for long periods can be dangerous. The following are risks that come with allowing your AC unit to run all day.
Health Risks
Leaving your AC running at full blast all day can lead to excessively cold and damp indoor conditions. This can cause condensation buildup that promotes the growth of mold and mildew. Mold and mildew cause a host of health problems, including allergic reactions, asthma, breathing difficulties, and infections. Additionally, these contaminants often result in unpleasant musty odors.
Increased Wear and Tear
The continuous use of an air conditioner can wear out its components significantly faster. For starters, the compressor will slowly deteriorate, resulting in frequent repairs and replacements. Also, the fan motor and blower wheel will wear out quickly, causing your AC unit to produce loud noises.
These conditions significantly reduce your air conditioner’s life expectancy and ultimately reduce the efficiency of your unit. In addition, repairing or replacing your unit’s broken components can be extremely expensive.
Increased Electricity Bills
Not only will leaving the AC on all day lead to your unit wearing out faster, but it will also increase your electric bills significantly. An AC unit’s components and systems typically use a lot of electricity, and constantly running the AC all day causes it to consume more energy.
Noise and Vibrations
Leaving your air conditioner on all day can result in the production of loud, uncomfortable noises. This is because your AC unit’s compressor, fans, and blower motor will produce vibrations and loud humming noises that can be distracting and annoying to anyone in the vicinity.
How to Ensure Your AC Is Running Efficiently
If you choose to let your air conditioner run all day, it is imperative that you ensure it is running as efficiently as possible. The following are tips that can assist you in keeping your air conditioner running at optimum efficiency as you exclude the risks mentioned above.
Use Programmable Thermostats
A programmable thermostat automatically adjusts your unit’s temperature and fan speeds to achieve your desired temperature levels. When the temperature conditions in your home change, your air conditioner is able to regulate itself quickly and efficiently to maintain a desirable and comfortable indoor environment. Additionally, a programmable thermostat allows you to set your ideal temperature for certain times of the day.
Replace Old and Rusted AC Coils
Coils are vital components of your air conditioner that act as heat exchangers, which makes them responsible for cooling your home. If they are not functioning correctly, the efficiency of your AC unit will be significantly reduced. While hiring a professional HVAC technician to replace your AC coils can be costly, it is beneficial and cost-efficient in the long run. It keeps your AC unit in prime working at maximum efficiency, which helps you to save on energy bills and keeps you comfortable throughout the summer.
Change Your Unit’s Air Filters Regularly
Changing your air filters regularly will significantly reduce the buildup of dust, dirt, and other airborne particles in your AC unit. This helps reduce the strain on your AC unit’s performance, allowing it to function at optimum levels. It also helps improve indoor air quality and ensures your home has adequate cool, clean air throughout the summer.
Make Sure the Drain Line Is Clear
The condensate in your air conditioner flows to the outside of your home through a drain hose. If your AC unit’s drain line gets clogged, the condensate and refrigerant get trapped in your air conditioner’s components. This forces you to schedule an unplanned repair service. As a precaution, always confirm that your AC unit is draining correctly. If you suspect there’s something wrong with your AC’s drain line, have a professional clear it out and check for potential causes of blockage.
Invest in an Energy-Efficient Unit if Your AC Unit Is Too Old
If your air conditioner is 15 years old or older, it may be time to replace it with a more energy-efficient unit. This will save you money on utility bills and reduce the environmental strain by decreasing carbon dioxide emissions and power plant pollution. The most energy-efficient AC units are those with a SEER rating of 14 or higher. These AC units are refrigerant-based and consume significantly less energy than older AC models.
Ensure Your Vents Are Properly Vacuumed
Over time, dust, dirt, and other indoor pollutants will collect in the vents of your AC system. When the vents become clogged with pollutants, your air conditioner will strain to perform cooling operations since it does not have a proper pathway for air to flow through. This causes your AC unit to work harder to effectively cool your home, resulting in increased energy bills. An annual professional cleaning can significantly reduce the amount of energy used by your AC unit to keep your home cool during the summer months.
Rely on the Experts
Here at Western Pacific Heating, Cooling & Airflow, we understand the importance of efficient air conditioning units. As a result, we are committed to providing all our clients with high-quality HVAC services. We have been offering fast, affordable, and reliable HVAC services to the residents of Vancouver, BC, and surrounding areas since 2020. Our technicians utilize the most advanced HVAC technology, techniques, and equipment to handle all kinds of HVAC issues. We also offer water heater solutions and indoor air quality services. If you need help with any HVAC issues, don’t hesitate to contact Western Pacific Heating, Cooling & Airflow today!
