Cheaper to run the AC on all day?

[unkoricky]

Last year i always read about people leaving the AC on all day even when they are not home. Does it really save money? I have yet to try that at my house because i'm scared my bill will be ridiculous.


So far we've been hitting the high 80s / lower 90s outside and when i come home from work around 4pm, my house is at 82.

[ceyko]

What do you normally keep it at?

We keep ours at 72 and I tried the off during the day thing and noticed little difference. If the house gets to 85, it takes quite awhile of continuous running to get it back down. Now I will run the temp hotter during the day, just to get that cool feeling when sleeping but I'd not just turn it off.

Now if you go from say 82, to 78 - not a big deal.

I think you can save a few pennies, but there are a lot of other things to consider first before relying on that and a big one is to make sure you house is sealed up well. That'll conserve the cool that is in the house.

Solar barriers, screens...etc

They sell whole house meters (similar to kill-a-watts), that could show you the difference. That's the only TRUE way to know which way is better for your particular house/situation IMO.

Also, if anyone is home throughout the day, it does not make any sense.

[347Mike]

When I am not home, I will bump it up to 82-85 depending on how long I am gone. If I am in and out of the house, 77-78. When I go to sleep It is rarely 75 and usually 76-77.

[Lason]

If I let my A/C get up to 80+ degrees while I was at work then it would be on non-stop till I went to bed trying to get it back under control so I dont even bother. Never mind I dont want my dog baking all day when no one is home.

[propellerhead]

Does it really save money?

There are too many factors for a general statement like that to be true. There's the efficiency of the a/c system, how well the house is insulated, how long you'll be gone, how hot it is outside, etc. My take is... if it really saves to leave it running, then go on vacation for two weeks and leave it running. I bet you'll be hating it. I let mine go up to 85-86 when I leave for work. Sure it will run for a few minutes when I get back, but I strongly believe that's still a shorter duration than having it kick on for a minute several times during the day.

[midnight]

I set mine at 80 when I leave for work bring it back down to 77 when I get home. It's been running maybe 2 hrs while I'm at work and it doesn't take long for it to cool down once I'm home.

[paul_376]

I go hang out at Town East mall all day , free AC