What consumes more energy, leaving the air conditioning on all day or turning it on and off?
With ever rising temperatures, the use of air conditioning has become a necessity: Is it better to turn it on all day or turn it on and off?
American households across large areas of the nation are once again dealing with elevated temperatures which are becoming ever more the norm. According to projections from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2024 will be one of the hottest years ever recorded.
Authorities advise that during a heat wave, it is recommended to avoid outdoor activities, stay hydrated and stay indoors, if possible, with air conditioning. The extreme heat afflicting parts of the country has made the use of air conditioning a necessity for millions of households.
Unfortunately, high temperatures are synonymous with an increase in energy bills due precisely to that need to use air conditioning systems. So that begs the question, what is better for your wallet? Leave the air on all day or turn it on and off at times?
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What consumes more energy leaving the air conditioning on all day or turning it on and off?
According to an article in EL DIARIO, the best option is to leave the air conditioning on throughout the day. This is because, the temperature remains stable and you can lower the intensity of the air as the space cools down, which will result in the use less energy.
On the contrary, by turning the air off and on at times, the temperature of the space usually rises quickly. When trying to cool the area quickly, the air conditioning system must operate at its maximum power to cool the entire area again, which translates into the use of more energy and, therefore, a greater increase in the electricity bill.
Other tips to reduce your energy bill
Another recommendation so that your energy bill does not balloon is to invest in an air conditioning system with energy classification A or higher, that is, with greater energy efficiency. These can help you reduce energy consumption by up to 60%. Keeping up with maintenance on your air conditioner and having it correctly installated are also important factors so that the system does not consume any more energy than it should have to in order to operate appropriately.