The short answer: No.
While turning your AC off may seem like a great way to save money on cooling costs, it can actually have quite a few negative effects on your home and AC system.
Instead of turning your AC on and off, you should turn your thermostat up (7–10 degrees) when you want to save on cooling costs.
Below, we’ll go into more detail about:
- The negative effects of turning your AC off and on
- The positive effects of turning your AC temperature up
- The best way to save money on cooling costs
The negative effects of turning your AC off and on
As we mentioned above, turning your AC off and on is very hard on your AC system.
That’s because when you turn your AC off, your house will get very warm. And the larger the difference between the actual temperature and your desired temperature, the harder your AC system has to work to cool your home.
When you turn your AC system off entirely (instead of just turning it up a few degrees), it has to completely start over, causing it to run longer to reach your desired temperature.
This kind of stress on your AC system can result in:
- Expensive repairs or replacements
- Increased energy bills
- Increased humidity in your home
- Mold growth or more bugs in your home
Below, let’s explore the benefits of turning your AC up instead.
The positive effects of turning your AC up
Turning your AC up instead of off will…
1. Save you money on cooling costs
We understand that you don’t want to pay for your home to be cooled while you’re away. The solution for this is to turn your AC system up 7–10 degrees for 8 hours a day.
According to Energy.gov, this trick can save you up to 10% on your cooling costs throughout the summer.
2. Keep your home comfortable
Your AC not only cools your home but also dehumidifies it. If you turn your AC off completely, you’ll likely come home to a space that is extremely warm and humid.
When you turn your AC up 7–10 degrees instead of turning your system off, it keeps your AC running enough throughout the day to maintain a tolerable temperature and decrease humidity.
This way, you can save money on cooling costs while keeping your home comfortable.
The best way to save on cooling costs: Annual AC maintenance
The best way to save money on cooling costs during the summer is to invest in annual AC maintenance. During an annual check-up, a technician will perform a thorough assessment of your system to make sure it’s working efficiently and there are no repairs that need to be made.
When your AC is maintained, it uses less energy (and costs you less money) to cool your home.
Think of AC maintenance like getting an oil change for your car. A car is a big investment, and if you don’t take the time and invest the money to get an oil change every few months, your car isn’t going to run efficiently, and you’ll end up damaging it in the long run.
You should think of your AC the same way. Without regular maintenance, your AC can’t run as efficiently as it should, which can result in costly repairs and increased energy bills.