My hubby likes it to be cold in the house at night so he can sleep better. I like to have the windows open all the time but offered to shut them at night and turn the air conditioning on.
He says it takes more energy to shut the A/C off during the day and turn it on at night because the A/C has to work harder to catch up.
I say it would be better to open the windows during the day (like I like) and turn the A/C on at night only on nights that are really hot.
Not only do I want to get fresh air during the day but I think my way saves money on cooling costs.
Which way is better, energy-wise?
2006-06-20 08:31:49 · 13 answers · asked by Kimberly P 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
I work for a heating and air conditioning company. Most people assume that an air conditioner is a cooling machine. Acutally, what it does is draw out the heat and the humidity. Find a comfortable setting you both like and leave it alone! Don't keep adjusting the thermostat. However, adjusting the temperature a degree here or there won't hurt too much, but you should never move it more than two degress at a time. Doing so would drive up your costs! Remember this rule in the winter time with your heat as well.
People are correct when they say the a/c has to work harder if it's been off all day. You wouldn't believe the calls we get from people saying their air runs all the time for this very reason!!!
2006-06-20 09:02:54 · answer #1 · answered by Hestia 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This probably depends on where you live. If its in Florida, you probably should to run the AC all the time. If its in the north, you could probably have the windows open at night when it cool, and run the AC in the day time.
Having the windows open in the heat of the day and closed at night is not a scenario I would expect. However if the AC is off for 8 to 10 hours and then runs continuously for 1 to 2 hours, I would expect that to be a wash.
If you have window air conditioners, can you leave the bedroom air conditioned and open windows in other parts of the house during the day as a compromise?
2006-06-20 08:41:34 · answer #2 · answered by paintingj 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Turn on the A/C in the early morning hours and cool the house, then when the heat peaks in the afternoon, run just the fan. Yes, the house will heat up some, but it shouldn't be unbearable. As the sun allows shade on each of your windows, turn off the fan and open those shaded windows. An even less costly and much more environmentally friendly approach, is to plant trees in strategic spots to shade the windows that focus the most heat into your house. In the hot months, set it at 72 - in the cooler months set it at 68.
2006-06-20 08:37:48 · answer #3 · answered by socalmom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The simple rule of thumb for efficient AC usage regardless of where you live is: set it and forget it.
You won't save money by programming a thermostat or turning it on and off. You should also leave all of your vents open - even that spare bedroom no one is using. Maximize the air flow.
The biggest money saver on AC is learning to live with the temperature a little warmer. If it's averaging 90 degrees outside and you can stand the AC set at 80 with a ceiling fan blowing on you, you'll save a ton.
2006-06-20 09:03:41 · answer #4 · answered by firm_shake 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No question leave it on at a set temperature such as 70. It cost far far less. If you shut it off it will take longer to cool down and generally you would be doing this when you get home from work which would be at a peak demand period and would cost you more in the long run. Take my advice i lived in Arizona for 15 years and had these discussions all the time.
2006-06-20 09:01:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well if it's not too hot outside & there's a decent breeze I'd open the windows. But if it's hot I'm leave the air on low all day, because like you husband send it's harder for the AC to catch up.
2006-06-20 08:36:52 · answer #6 · answered by bunni96 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you allow the house to get warm, such as by leaving the AC off during the day, you use more energy when you turn it on at night. The reason being that you'll have to cool down everything - the walls, the furniture, everything. If you leave it on, it just has to maintain the temperature.
2006-06-20 08:35:24 · answer #7 · answered by zippythejessi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really depends upon the the cooling degree days in your area, your particular micro environment, the amount of insulation in your house and how long you will be gone. For most people and situations the answer is going to be: turn it off. For people and situations where the place must be cool there are industrial timers that could be used to cool the place 1 hour before you arrive. (You will burn out a normal lamp timer.) There are also ways to turn the AC on over the internet. In unusual situations of a large space that is very well insulated for limited or routine duration it might not be practical to turn it off.
2016-05-20 05:52:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did not take the time to research that question, but I know from past experience and lessons learned, it takes more energy to heat a house up then if you left the heat at an even temp all day, instead of turning your thermastat down to say 62 while at work and then up to 70 when home, they suggest leaving it on at 68 all the time
2006-06-20 08:37:28 · answer #9 · answered by ta2003 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the A/C s struggling to get to temperature, then it's because you're setting it too low.
If you have an Energy efficient AC and set it to a reasonable temperature, like 75 degrees, then you could stand to save a decent amount on your bills.
2006-06-20 08:36:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋