AC Settings - which saves the most energy?

Question

So, when you are gone most of the day from your home, which of the following saves the most energy?

A. Leaving the AC set to the same comfortable temperature that you use when you are home (75)

B. Turning the AC up a few degrees when you leave (78) and then turning it back down when you return (75)

C. Turning the AC completely off when you leave and back on when you return.

Can you please provide the reason(s) why this saves the most energy? We have always turned our AC up a few degrees and then back down. My mom has been turning hers off during the day, I just think that would make the system work harder when she turns it back on because it has so much space to cool back down. Thanks for the info! :)

Answer 1

Coll the house after 10PM to 72. Turn off till you get home and turn on 74 till 10

Answer 2

I have a whole house fan that I use to exhaust hot air out of the house and attic in the evening.  If I did have A/C, I would most likely turn it off all day and then on when I got home at the end of the day.  Then it wouldn't be running all day.  My house stays pretty cool for a long time after I close it up in the morning.

Answer 3

I am a senior citizen; I have lived in Southern California, Southern Florida, Tucson, Arizona and Albuquerque, New Mexico (and Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas...) and I have NEVER EVER had air conditioning and never will.

Not only is it a waste of electricity, it causes so many lung ailments!