Skip to main content
Air conditioner unit outside a house next to some greenery.

When is the Best Time to Turn on Your AC?

The weather and climate can be unpredictable, making it difficult for responsible homeowners to keep their homes comfortable. When should the air conditioning be set to provide optimal cooling while conserving electricity and saving money? Knowing the answers to these questions beforehand benefits the family, community, and environment.

How Air Conditioning Works

Air conditioners come in various designs and sizes, but they all work on the same principle - they remove heat and humidity from the indoor space, expel it outside, and circulate the cooled air back into the room. This process is carried out by evaporator coils containing a refrigerant that both absorbs heat and condenses moisture. As a result, you may sometimes see water dripping from the outside of a window AC unit.
The refrigerant in older units is often freon, but later models use more sustainable alternatives like Puron or R-32. This substance gets heated from a cool liquid state to a hotter, gaseous one as it passes through the compressor, which is how heat is ejected to the outside. The refrigerant then lowers in temperature and resumes a liquid state as a fan blows air from the outside over the coils.

AC Operation

If you're looking for advice on when to turn on your air conditioning, an HVAC professional may suggest doing so on a comfortable day during the spring when you're home all day. This recommendation is based on the idea that running your AC periodically throughout the year can help keep it in good working order. By turning on your AC when it's not too hot or too cold outside, you can ensure that it's working properly and avoid any potential issues down the line. So, consider taking the advice of a professional and turning on your air conditioning during a comfortable spring day.

The Best Temperature for Relief and Economy

Knowing when the air conditioning unit should be turned on is essential. While this varies from person to person, it's important to consider other factors, such as environmental impact. According to the United States Department of Energy, it's recommended to maintain an indoor temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months. Although some may find this temperature too high, it's important to note that homes are often empty during the hottest parts of the day, especially on weekdays. Additionally, temperatures can be lowered at night. Keeping the thermostat above 70 degrees Fahrenheit can significantly reduce energy costs.

Contact Us Today!

To maximize the benefits of your HVAC unit, contact Master Mechanical today! By doing so, you can ensure that your air conditioning unit is running efficiently and effectively while minimizing your environmental impact. If you want to save money and reduce your carbon footprint, don't hesitate to contact Master Mechanical today for expert HVAC services.