Does Turning Your AC on and off Cost More?

Turning AC on and off vs. Leaving It On

As HVAC professionals in the Tampa Bay area, one of the most frequent questions we get from homeowners is does turning my air conditioner on and off save money or does it cost me more?

We understand why so many homeowners ask us this. As homeowners ourselves, we do what we can to lower our cooling costs too. We know that no one wants to dread opening their electricity bill each month, but for lots of Floridians who use their air conditioning systems year round, this is their reality.

So what’s the deal?

Can turning your air conditioner on and off save more money than leaving it on?

Read on to find out.

Debunking a Common Air Conditioner Myth

When it comes to saving money on your electricity bills, one of the most popular myths is the concept that leaving your air conditioner on throughout the day saves more money than turning it off while you’re out.

Many speculate that this is because your system doesn’t have to use excess energy every time you turn it back on.

While this might sound logical, this is actually 100% false.

Why though?

Sure, turning your air conditioner on uses energy, but if you’re keeping your air conditioning system on at all times (including when you’re not home) you’re not using your air conditioner efficiently.

Ultimately, it’s much more taxing for your system to fluctuate all day to achieve a consistent temperature.

What’s worse, when your air conditioner is working constantly to keep your home comfortable throughout the day, it’s going to wear out faster.

Using Your Air Conditioning System Efficiently With a Programmable Thermostat

We’ve established that leaving your air conditioner on all day while you’re out isn’t the best use of energy. But we know that no one wants to come home to a hot and humid house after a long day at work. The solution? Enter the programmable thermostat.

A programmable thermostat allows you to program your air conditioner to adjust to a set temperature at different times throughout the day.

This is a great option for people who work full time or are gone for most of the day.

For example, if you work Monday through Friday and are gone for work from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Rather than leaving your air conditioner on all day, or shutting it off, you can adjust a programmable thermostat to increase the temperature while you’re out.

What’s most convenient is you can program it to return to a comfortable temperature by the time you get home.

The result?

A comfortable home, decreased energy costs, and less wear and tear on your air conditioner.

Learn More About Programmable Thermostats at Blair’s Air

If you’re looking for an economical and efficient way to save money on your energy costs without sacrificing comfort, a programmable thermostat is a great investment.

At Blair’s Air, we offer a variety of programmable thermostats that are both user-friendly and completely customizable to your home, lifestyle, and comfort preference.

If you don’t already have a programmable thermostat in your home, we highly recommend it.

Contact Blair’s Air today if you have any questions or want help determining the right thermostat for your home.

Call 727-592-8479 to schedule service.