June 30, 2022

How Long Can You Leave Your Air Conditioner Running?

We all know that while summer is everyone’s favorite season, it does bring with it some sweltering temperatures that can make us want to stay inside. Although it’s good to get out and enjoy the sun and fresh air, it’s also a welcoming experience of feeling the cool breeze of your air conditioner after long days out in the blistering summer heat.

But is it safe to leave your AC unit running all day during the summer? At Tindall & Ranson, we’re here to provide some tips to help you maximize your air conditioning throughout the summer while ensuring that it’s operating smoothly!

Keeping Cool While Keeping Costs Down

One factor that homeowners worry about when summer rears its head is how running the air conditioner will affect their electric bills. It’s true that most homeowners see a spike when they’re running their AC unit, but there are ways to get the most out of your air conditioning while working to keep your energy costs down.

First, you’ll want to schedule a check-up for your air conditioning unit with your preferred HVAC company. They’ll be able to provide any needed maintenance to ensure that the unit is working as efficiently and as cost-effective as possible. Units that need maintenance tend to work harder at keeping your home cool, which can lead to high costs. It can be a struggle for them to reach your desired temperature.

You can also:

• Open the windows at night
• Turn on your fans
• Unplug unnecessary devices
• Adjust your thermostat to an acceptable level

Prepare for Vacation

Another great thing about summer is that vacation that you’ve been planning. Whether it’s a trip down the shore, up to the lake, or even jet-setting abroad, you’ll want to come back to a comfortable home without having to deal with hot and humid temperatures inside.

You can actually leave your air conditioning on while you’re away. It’s helpful if you have any natural wood in your home, because unchecked summer heat and humidity can warp it. However, since your home will be empty, you can simply set it to a higher temperature just to combat the outside heat.

When you arrive back at home, your air conditioning unit won’t struggle to handle a massive shift in temperature. It’s essentially like meeting it halfway.

Running Your Air Condition During the Summer

It’s completely fine to run your AC unit all day during the summer. You’ll just want to monitor the temperature that you set it at, and make sure that it’s not running at its coldest when the house is empty. You can even give it a rest during any cool nights to help lower your energy costs.

But if you plan on running your air conditioning system all day throughout the summer, it’s best to have it checked to make sure that it’s in good shape.