How to efficiently run a home air conditioner unit?

Question

I've heard opposing suggestions here. Some say it's better to keep the AC running at a constant setting, and this will lead to lower energy bills. Others say to turn it up a few degrees when you leave, and lower the temperature when you're home (however, they argue that the AC works harder to bring the temperature back down). I run my AC at 72 degrees, and when I'm not home I put it on 75. Should I just leave it at 72?

Answer 1

It all depends on how big of an area it has to cool and the temperature difference between the outside and your preference. Office buildings run the AC at more or less the same temp 24 a day but there is a lot of open space that needs to be cooled. I would say that keeping the AC at 75 when you are at work and turning it to 72 when you get home is the best way to save on electricity as a decent AC will be able to bring the temperature down a few degrees rather quickly in an average house. I am also assuming that it’s probably a little cooler outside when you get off of work then during the day.

Quick tip: keep the vents and AC dust free for better efficiency.

Answer 2

I run mine at 75 when I'm home and sometimes turn it to 76 when i leave... not much of a difference but its enough for me to notice. I think the best thing you can do is to make sure you have a clean filter in. Ours hadn't been replaced for the 6 months after we moved into a new home and it broke the compressor... thank God it was covered under warranty.
The air conditioner will work less hard if it has a cleaner filter to run through. Hope that made sense...

Answer 3

There are many important consideration to get it:
1. Avoid any unnecessary air leakage ( the home, according to the different environments needs some air replacement, this is expressed in CFM and are established in tables according to the home location, use, amount of people, geographical location, etc)
2 Have a good isolating material in walls, roof and floor. Polyurethane is widely used, cover your windows with some reflecting coating material.
3.Avoid turned on electrical devices unnecessarily working.
4. Have a good architectural design
5. have a proper duct design, condenser and evaporator system
6. Be sure your system fits the demand of your home
7. Check the gas filter at the inlet of compressor

Check for proper gas pressure circulating, the filters air inlet filter and evaporator could be clogged and need cleaning. Adjust your thermostat properly if maximum cool is set the evaporator could freeze, have to be set on normal environment temperature you need.
The best you can do is to call some qualified HVACR technician to perform periodical inspections (twice per year)

Answer 4

Mc23571 gave the BEST answer... the KEY is to make sure that your HOUSE is insulated, you have DRAPES, and that the A/C unit is properly charged, cleaned, and maintained.

I don't have A/C here in my home, but my Brother and I installed a Swamp-cooler at his ranch this winter... the FIRST thing we did was check the insulation, sealed air-leaks, etc.

THEN we minimized the area they needed to cool... only the kitchen / living room office and the master bedroom are cooled.

For your situation, I would recommend leaving it at 75 ALL the time... and wearing shorts when you get home !!

Answer 5

Both make good arguments. As for myself, I would leave it at 72 all day long. I don't turn it up or off because I have pets and I don't want them to get hot when I'm gone.

Answer 6

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