I always turned of my A/C when I went to work. A friend of mine says it costs you more when you turn it back on to recool the place. However, if i'm gone for 9 hours and turn it back on, it usually cools back up within 25 minute and that is from leaving it on the same temp. and not lowering it to cool faster.
2006-09-25 21:03:31 · 16 answers · asked by Levi 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Furnaces and Air conditioners both use a lot of energy when they start up. Not nearly as much as they'd use being on all day.
2006-09-25 21:12:49 · answer #1 · answered by icetender 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The question is do you save money.
Answer- YES.
Concerns may be that
1) The temp swing will make your moldings and furniture joints loosen.
2) increased humidity in the structure (only if there is a vapoer drive/higher humidity outside) will be absorbed by wood furniture and cause it to swell (not usually a problem- warm air HOLDS more moisture than colder air)
3) The temp is too hot during the day for your refirgerator to overcome and it may come out of the SAFE zone for a little while each day. (Milk spoils faster)
By the way-- turning the thermostat down further DOES not cool faster. Just leaves the unit running longer. Understand why? (that is another topic)
Other than that- you WILL save money for that length of time. Science is great.
2006-09-26 18:20:06 · answer #2 · answered by Frust Parent 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your friend is absolutely correct (provided you work during the day). your house now has 8 hours to heat up and when you get home and turn it on it will have to run continuously for several hours to return to your set temp. A/C are not designed to drop temps rapidly. Once your house is coll it is better to keep it that way! If you feel you want to turn it down during the day, do so no more then 3-5 degrees. An engineer should know this. But i guess it take an A/C tech to give the correct answer.
2006-09-29 11:37:07 · answer #3 · answered by mike c 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to look at the situation from a holistic stand point.
If you allow your house to warm up during the day, moisture will be in the house - ACs take that out. When you come home, take into consideration that your AC has to cool down the upholstry, your wooden furniture, carpets and every thing else. I would turn the AC up a few notches to the point where it will run a minimum amout of time, then your AC does not have all that work to do.
2006-09-26 06:17:57 · answer #4 · answered by Polyhistor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That would be like leaving your car running while you were at work all day so the engine stays up to temperature and will not be cold when you start it.
Yes you are saving money. Even if it were for four hours or two hours. If it only takes 25 min. to cool the place down, there is no reason to waste money and energy letting it run when you are not there to benefit from it.
2006-09-25 21:24:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why not purchase a set back thermostat - set the temp higher during the day M-F when you are away - then set it to a lower temp about 30 minutes before you get home! Same thing will apply when the heating season sets in!
2006-09-25 21:17:42 · answer #6 · answered by lakelady 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lakelady has it right. A programmable thermostat is what you need. An empty house, without pets, has never been known to complain about the temperature. But many home owners have been known to complain about their electric bills in the summer. You are doing the right thing. If you were having a problem with high humidity you would probably want to do as they advise. Also, by reducing running time you are prolonging the life of your A/C equipment............
2006-09-26 03:24:50 · answer #7 · answered by Huero 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You do save money of course leaving it off for about 9 hours. If you want it cooled before you get home, set a timer for it to turn on maybe 30 minutes before you get home
2006-09-26 02:11:05 · answer #8 · answered by jepa8196 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anytime you turn off anything that cost money to run saves you money. Your friend is referring to spending more money let's say if you are cooling an entire building like the Sears Tower. If it's just a small office it's always wise to turn off any electrical(lights, AC, etc.) Just like in your house, you don't want to leave lights in an empty room, let alone the AC in an empty house.
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2006-09-25 21:19:23 · answer #9 · answered by xrey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're better off to just turn the stat up (warmer) when you leave. If you were to set it at 80 or so, it would keep the humidity down and when you get home it would take very little time to cool the house.
2006-09-29 17:58:11 · answer #10 · answered by Jody W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Think of it this way. If you or your colleagues are uncomfortable and unable to perform their duties well. Did you save any money? Now a scenario where there's an opportunity to gain if the expectation can be exceeded maybe perform another task or function for a important client. Do you think the money saved is worth more than the opportunity losts?
2006-09-25 21:43:12 · answer #11 · answered by eternalvoid 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋