Is It Bad to Keep Turning AC On and Off?

Having trouble consistently keeping your house cool? Call Fast Air Repair today at 352-290-7968 for expert HVAC services.

An air conditioner is an excellent way to keep your home cool and comfortable throughout the summer. However, HVAC systems are responsible for most household energy consumption, resulting in expensive energy bills. You might consider switching the unit on and off to conserve electricity to save money. 



So, is it bad to keep turning AC on and off? In theory, it makes sense to do so, but more goes into air conditioners and energy efficiency than you may realize. 

Fast Air Repair is a five-star air conditioning contractor in Inverness, FL. Our team understands the importance of energy efficiency for cooling systems. Here, we outline what happens when you turn your system off and on frequently.

Should You Leave the Air Conditioner On All Day?

The short answer is "no." Keeping your air conditioner running at full blast 24/7 is not the best way to save money on energy bills.

Your home might feel pleasantly chilly, but the cooling system will consume too much energy to keep the unit running. Besides wasting energy, the constant running will wear down the air conditioner's components prematurely, resulting in:

• Inefficient cooling

• Frequent AC repairs

• AC replacement

• General discomfort

If you don't want to turn your AC off to save on energy costs, you can raise its temperature setting. A minor change can make a significant difference. According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, AC units will consume 3% to 5% less energy for every degree increase on the thermostat. For the best energy savings, set the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher when you're not home. 

Does Turning the System Off While You're at Work Save Money?

Air conditioners are most efficient when running at full speed, usually with long cycles. The best way to ensure this is to turn the unit on when indoor temperatures are high because it will take a while to cool off the property. Constantly turning the system off and on creates shorter cycles at lower speeds, which usually leads to high energy bills and unnecessary strain on the cooling system. 

When You Should Turn Off Your Air Conditioning Unit

Turning the air conditioner off is okay when you intend to keep it off for an extended period, such as four or more hours. You can turn the unit off when you leave for work or if the temperatures are nice outdoors. 

It's also a good idea to turn the AC off when you plan on opening windows for fresh air. Leaving your windows open will influence your indoor temperature. If it's warm outside, the indoor/outdoor air exchange from the open windows can keep the AC unit short cycling, but turning it off will prevent that. 

"On" vs. "Off" Setting

When exploring the answer to "is it bad to keep turning AC on and off," you might want to consider your thermostat's settings. The thermostat has two options for cooling operations:

• On: Your cooling system's fan will blow continuously until you manually change the thermostat's settings. The air from the vents might not be icy, but it will not shut off regardless of the temperature.

• Auto: The air conditioner's fan will blow chilled air until the house reaches the temperature setting on the thermostat. Once the home is at the appropriate temperature, the system will shut down until the temperature rises again. 

The "auto" setting generates shorter cooling cycles for the AC unit than the "on" setting. However, leaving the fan "on" produces about 200 more cycle hours and increases the risk of the unit's coils freezing. 

The reason for the freeze risk is moisture. Air conditioners draw heat and moisture from your home's indoor air, and condensation settles on the AC's coils. With the thermostat in the "auto" setting, the coils have enough time to allow the condensation to flow into the drip pan. 

If you leave the AC fan on for an extended time, the moisture doesn't have enough time to drip off the coils. That could cause the home to become more humid as the system blows the water back into the air, or the moisture can freeze on the coils, causing further issues. Because the "auto" setting is less problematic in this way and consumes less energy, it's often the better setting. 

Best Energy Saving Option: Programmable Thermostats

Ultimately, temperature regulation is the best way to reduce your cooling system's energy consumption without creating discomfort in your house. Consider installing a programmable thermostat to maximize your air conditioner's energy savings beyond installing a modern energy-efficient model. An updated thermostat will give you the most control over your home's temperature settings. 

You can use the thermostat to create a schedule for your air conditioner. For instance, you can set it to increase your home's temperature by a couple of degrees each day while you're away at work. Before coming home, you can adjust the thermostat to a lower temperature to make the home more comfortable for your arrival. 

Other Ways To Reduce Energy Bills

It's no secret that your air conditioner consumes a substantial amount of energy every day. However, you can keep cool indoors without running your AC unit constantly with these tactics:

• Installing ceiling fans

• Changing the HVAC air filter to improve cooling system efficiency

• Closing blinds and curtains to block sunlight from south-facing windows

These simple changes add up, saving quite a bit of money over time on energy bills.

Reach Out to Fast Air Repair Today

The answer to "is it bad to keep turning AC on and off" might not be black and white, but there are many ways to improve your cooling system's energy efficiency. For reliable air conditioning repair, replacement, or maintenance in Inverness, FL, you can rely on qualified technicians from Fast Air Repair. We offer 24/7 emergency services and routine inspections that will uncover ways to make your air conditioner more energy efficient.

Request a free quote today at 352-290-7968, then browse our blog to know more about common AC problems in the summer.