Coming home to an interior that presents an optimal temperature proves beneficial throughout the year, not just enabling better sleep but also reducing noise pollution from constantly running systems. In the harsh summer months, maintaining a 60-ish degree interior seems even more prudent. If running the air conditioner all day while you are at work would attain this result and provide effective ventilation, why not set it on a timer and let the HVAC system do so? Given the cost involved and the significant consumption of energy, however, there are scores of issues associated with allowing any electrical system to run unattended for hours and hours, contributing to the wastage of resources and potential savings. Hence, it isn’t entirely wise to run the AC continuously while you’re out, as it’s not only wasteful but also unnecessary to the environment.
Here are several things to think about when considering letting the air conditioner run without a break, including the idea of operating it in an energy-saving mode.
Engage the “Full Blast” Approach
When a home’s interior temperature rises during the day, airflow through the air conditioner has to increase to bring it down. A homeowner might not think this is the best strategy, as “full blast” seems like the system has to overcompensate. Generally, an air conditioner works at its best efficiency when “working hard” to cool down a hot house. Running the air conditioner all day does not lead to the “full blast approach” that quickly and efficiently brings a home’s temperature down, and could instead increase noise levels disrupting your peaceful sleep.
Studying an air conditioner’s components reveal the design supports getting heat out of the home, aiding in both temperature control and ventilation. The elimination of heat leads us to the next point: how air conditioners deal with humidity.
Issues With Humidty
Air conditioning systems do more than pump cool air into the home. They also draw out humidity. An air conditioner’s design allows it to draw more humidity out of the air when turned on after a shutoff period—allowing the system to perpetually run could contribute to a higher humidity level than would be the case if you shut it off during the day, leading to an uncomfortable indoor environment.
Letting humidity build up inside a house doesn’t contribute much to comfort. Keep that in mind when you’re thinking about letting the air conditioner run while you are away, considering the cost of unnecessary energy consumption.
Continual Operation Means Greater Expenses
Running an air conditioner all day means high electricity bills. There is no way to avoid running up utility costs when an AC uses electricity to keep a house at a specific level. In a large home, expect the bills to be even higher, as several rooms require cooling. Such things become almost unavoidable when you wish to keep the temperature down while occupying the home. However, there seems to be no reason to do so when the house is empty. Yes, you will return home at a set time. Regardless, letting the air conditioner run for hours and hours while no one is there seems like wasteful spending. There are alternatives available, less expensive ones, that provide substantial savings.
And there is more than money wasted when the air conditioner runs all day. The air conditioner ends up wasting a great deal of energy. Energy waste could affect the local community. Draining electricity contributes to power shortages, which can prove disastrous in summer weather. Giving the air conditioner a break also gives the local power grid a break, and it may need one.
Energy efficiency allows environmentally conscious people to do their part. They can help reduce emissions while also cutting down on expenses and waste. That might be an effective combination for a sustainable environment.
Putting Too Much Wear on the Air Conditioner
Wear and tear contribute to parts wearing down and requiring replacement. Too much wear and tear could shorten the lifespan of the air conditioning system. The more you run an air conditioner, the more stress you put onto the various parts and components. Therefore, using a timer to operate the system can preserve its longevity while reducing the overall energy consumption.For homeowners, it’s a regrettable fact that avoidable service calls become unavoidable when their heating and cooling needs are not adequately met. The space of their homes demands a well-functioning air conditioning system especially as temperatures and humidity levels surge.
Even “little things” like ceiling fans may speed up, such as the filter becoming dirtier ahead of schedule. A dirty filter could create all manner of different problems, including poor efficiency. Imagine if the air conditioner had to draw more electricity to compensate for a clogged filter or worn part. The system already drains electricity from running so long. An air conditioner running all day is one thing, but an AC that runs inefficiently for several hours a day is potentially quite problematic for homeowners managing their space.
A system with worn parts won’t hide its “condition” for long. Technicians can tell you that. Do you notice any problems with your air conditioner? The Cooling Company, understanding the specific needs of homeowners, helps residents in the Las Vegas area with air conditioner repairs, installation, and inspections. Our team also handles heating-related services and full HVAC replacements.
The Frozen Condenser Components
As many homeowners notice in their homes, an air conditioner becomes prone to creating condensation. Condensation comes in the form of water. When exposed to a constant flow of cold air, the condensation could freeze. Coils inside the condenser unit may freeze along with the water. Frozen coils won’t be beneficial to the air conditioning system. Expect for the system to work much harder to compensate for freezing coils. And that’s if the system works at all. Frozen coils could lead to the system outright shutting down, which won’t help the cause of keeping a home cool at all.
If a shutdown occurs, you may need to place a call to our skilled technicians to address the frozen coils. Staying in a hot home may not be enjoyable or even safe. Calling for expert repairs could alleviate the problem, but avoiding the problem in the first place might be a better plan for homeowners concerned about the health of their homes.
Installing a Smart Thermostat
Modern technology, combined with the internet of things, led to the development of smart, programmable thermostats. Coming home to a cool house no longer requires running the air conditioner throughout the day. If you commonly arrive home at 6 p.m., the programmable thermostat could allow the air conditioner to turn on at 5:30 p.m. Not only can you set the time for the air conditioner to turn on, but you could set the desired temperatures. This way, the home will be at that temperature or moving in that direction toward it by the time you arrive.
Smart thermostats can also connect to an app. The app may allow you to make changes to the thermostat’s settings and programs. Will you run an hour or two late this evening? If so, there shouldn’t be any problems. Make the necessary changes so the air conditioner doesn’t turn on too early. Save money, energy and preserve the “full blast” benefits of the air conditioner.
Smart thermostats also present the benefits of versatility. You can use them when you go away for a business trip, vacation, hospital stay and more. You might not be home, but you still have a working programmable thermostat under your control. And that control supports efficiency and reduced costs in your homes.
The Cooling Company is a family-owned business in Las Vegas that has served homeowners in the local area for the past seven years. Besides heating and air conditioning work, we handle duct replacement and also offer maintenance service plans. Do you have any service needs for your homes? Call our office today so our experienced technicians can get to work on your air conditioner repairs.
