Why You Shouldn’t Turn Off The AC When You’re Not Home
Many homeowners claim the best way to save money on cooling costs is to turn off their air conditioning when they aren’t home, but turning off your AC is not the solution, as the consequences may be greater than any potential savings in energy cost. Our HVAC technicians recommend turning up your thermostat by 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house, instead of turning it off entirely! Below, our HVAC Company describes the damage to your home turning off your AC and the resulting high humidity can cause.
Looking for more ways to save money while ensuring your AC is working at its maximum efficiency? Contact LIBERTYAIR Air Conditioning & Heating today to schedule HVAC Services!
Increases Indoor Humidity
One of the often forgotten functions of your AC unit is controlling the humidity in your home by ventilating and circulating air. With the AC unit turned off, humidity in your house can quickly rise. High indoor humidity can cause a bad odor and stagnant air can cause the growth of mold in air conditioner units which can greatly diminish your home’s indoor air quality, putting your household at risk for illness.
Protection From Pests
While an increase in humidity may feel uncomfortable to you, it creates a welcoming environment for bugs and other pests. As your home becomes more humid, it creates the perfect breeding ground for these pests, and the warm stagnant air prompts them to settle in. Keeping your home cooler can help deter pests from entering and making themselves at home.
Stress On Appliances
In our North Central Florida summers, a home without AC can reach the high 90s, but due to this the refrigerator and freezer of your air conditioner will need to work harder to stay cool. Over time, overworking these appliances can decrease their effectiveness and their lifespan. Refrigerated appliances will use more energy in hot houses further canceling out any cost savings from a turned-off AC unit.
Keep Your House Comfortable
Coming home to a hot uncomfortable house after a long day is less than idea, as you may be faced with hot, stagnant air and potentially bad odors. After your AC unit has been off it can take 3-5 hours to cool down to a comfortable temperature. If you have pets, the health and comfort of your animals should be a consideration when regulating the temperature of your home.
Save Money On Cooling
While you may believe shutting off your AC before you leave for work or school, doing so may actually cause higher utility bills. When you are gone during the hottest part of the day, your home can reach very hot temperatures and high humidity, making your air conditioning unit work harder to cool down your home completely. As a result, the more energy used, the higher your utility bills will be.
Schedule HVAC Maintenance
To help keep your home or apartment cool and keep your living space enjoyable, LIBERTYAIR Air Conditioning & Heating offers a comprehensive planned maintenance program designed to keep your HVAC system running smoothly and efficiently throughout the year! To further optimize your HVAC energy use, a modern thermostat can help control where and when the AC operates. Contact our local HVAC company to ensure your air conditioning unit is working properly!