Does turning the AC on and off cost more?
Ida Bashirian
2025-07-20 21:16:51
Count answers
: 11
Turning your air conditioner on and off vs. leaving it on and using programmed settings can cost more. Because the AC uses extra energy to start back up and cool the air to the desired temperature, energy usage and your power bills will increase. Air conditioners and HVACs are most efficient when maintaining a consistent temperature when controlled by a thermostat. Turning an AC on and off vs. leaving it on makes an air conditioner’s components strain to cool the air, resulting in unnecessary wear and tear. An overworked air conditioner will typically require more frequent part replacement and potentially costly repairs than one working at normal levels. If the AC unit is short-cycled often enough, the unit can fail prematurely, requiring a new air conditioner to be installed. When you consider the multiple processes and moving parts required to cool your home, it’s easy to understand why it’s bad to keep turning your AC on and off. Turning your AC on and off puts additional stress on critical components like the fan motor and compressor. This extra stress accelerates wear and tear and can decrease performance, increase energy bills, and shorten an air conditioner’s lifespan significantly.
Read also
- How to save energy on cooling?
- How to conserve energy during a heat wave?
- How can severe weather conditions impact UK energy usage and customer bills?
- Does hot weather affect energy levels?
- How to cool a hot room without electricity?
- What is the best temperature to keep your house at in the summer?
- How to use a refrigerator to save electricity?
- Why is electricity usage higher in winter?
- What is the relationship between climate change and energy resources?