No one wants to cringe when they open their electricity bill. But for more Floridians, this is an all-too-common occurrence—especially in the summer when we’re running our air conditioning systems on full blast.
For this reason, one of the most common questions we get from homeowners is whether or not they can save money by turning their AC on and off when it is and isn’t in use. Some people also wonder if it’s bad to keep turning the AC on and off.
If you’ve ever wondered this yourself, then you’re probably already familiar with the slew of contradicting information online. So what’s the real answer? Read on to find out.
Is It Cheaper to Leave Your Air Conditioner on All Day?
Since the dawn of time (or at least the dawn of air conditioning), homeowners have been trying and testing HVAC hacks to save energy without sacrificing comfort. Some have worked and some have not. But what we have been left with is a bunch of myths, such as: “Leaving your air conditioner on all day saves more money than turning it off while you’re away.”
The reasoning behind this myth is that by leaving your AC on, it doesn’t have to use excess energy every time you turn it back on.
The truth? This is totally false.
But why? Put simply, if you’re keeping your air conditioning system on at all times (even when you’re not home) you’re not using your AC as efficiently as possible. Although it may seem sensible to believe your system will use extra energy to power itself on, this just isn’t the case. Fluctuating to achieve a consistent temperature all day is far more taxing for your system.
What’s worse is that this can also put excess wear and tear on your system. So, not only can leaving your air conditioner on at full capacity throughout the day result in higher electricity bills, but it can shorten the lifespan of your system too.
The Solution: Programmable Thermostats
While it’s not advisable to leave your air conditioner on all day if you’re, say, at work from nine to five, no one wants to come home to a hot house either. Luckily, there’s a simple solution to all of your AC woes and it’s as simple as purchasing a programmable thermostat.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to program your air conditioning system to adjust to a set temperature at various times throughout the day. This way, if you know you’re going to be at work Monday through Friday from nine to five, you can adjust the device to increase the temperature in your home while you’re out. Conveniently, you can also program the device to return your home to your temperature preference by the time you get home.
Learn More About Sansone’s Programmable Thermostats
A programmable thermostat will pay for itself quickly, and you will enjoy a comfortable home at all times of the day as well as an AC that’s not overworked. At Sansone, we offer a variety of leading-edge programmable thermostats that are user-friendly and totally customizable. If you don’t already have one in your home, we highly recommend it. If you have any questions or want help determining the best programmable thermostat for your South Florida home, contact us today.
Broward: (954) 800-2858
Palm Beach: (561) 701-8274
St. Lucie: (772) 879-5656
Schedule an appointment online today with our EZ Book Online button below.
