Air conditioners, fans and light bills?

Question

Is it true if you leave your air conditioner running constantly at a certain temperature range, it uses less electricity than cutting it off and on? I cut off our window units during the day and turn them on when I return from work, my husband says it is more effective and cost effecient to let them run all day at a constant temperature. Please help, with the rising costs of everything these days, I try to conserve as much as possible....but I'm not ready to give up cool air!

Answer 1

NO TURN ALL APPLIANCES OFF IF NOT IN USE.

Answer 2

Is true if you don't loss the cold air but I don't think your house is heat proof.

Answer 3

this is what it happen ,when you leave your ac unit on during the day ,let say like you goes work and your husband also,and nobady is at home ,and then you come backfrom work your house it 'l be at the same temperature all time,perhaps if you turn it of when you leave all time by the time you'l get back is gone be a big difference due to no ac on during your's absence ,so as soon you get in 1st thing to do turn on ,and ac unit will take more time working to put temp desired in your house ,.!

Answer 4

The greedy electirc companies will raise thier rates everytime they can legally.

So no matter how much you suffer, it will cost you more.

Answer 5

if you leave them running @ 74o it will use less energy than turning them on and off.

Answer 6

It is true.  When you leave the AC on all day, the temperature regulates and does not have to come on as often.  If you wait til the end of the day and turn it on.  It has to work very long and hard at one time to bring the temperature from probably in the high 80's or low 90's to a comfortable temperature.  Runs longer and costs more.

Answer 7

if the house is hot, the unit will run harder to get it to the desired temperature.  i would run it all day but turn the temp up so it won't the compressor won't turn on and off all day long.  then when you get home, it won't work so hard to make it cool.

Answer 8

It all depends on how long you leave the unit off for. For example, if you leave the unit on for 1 week straight instead of turning it off while you're away at vacation, it's going to be a lot more expensive leaving it on. Otherwise, the rule of thumb is 10 degrees for 8 hours. That is, if the temperature inside the room elevates 10 degrees or higher when the A/C is turned off and you're away for shorter than 8 hours, you should leave the unit on. There are a lot of factors at play here, though.

Answer 9

I think your husband is right.  I would leave the AC on all day.  (I do it in my house and haven't noticed an increase in my bills.)  Although it has been proven that turning the lights off when your out of the room really doesn't make a difference in the length of the light bulb or the amount of energy used.  I would still turn them off during the day, but wouldn't worry about it going in and out.

Answer 10

IT MAKES SINCE TO SAY LEAVE IT ON ALL DAY BUT IS NOT TRUE. WHEN NOBODY IS HOME U ONLY FIGHTING THE WEATHER . U SHOULD USE A THERMOSTAT WITH SCHEDULE AND START YOUR AC 1 HOUR BEFORE YOU GUYS COME HOME AND U'LL BE FINE AND ON THE WAY TO SAVE ENERGY.

Answer 11

yes he is right leaving it a one temperature does cost less turning it off and then turning it back on I know this sounds crazy but it is true. I guess the power surge from cutting it back on is what cost so much. I usually leave mine on 72 that is what they tell you to do to save energy! Also to save on energy if you will use a power strip and plug your TV DVD and other things in it and turn it off at night this will cut your power bill by about 20% all these thing still use power even if they are not turned on or left on, use energy efficient bulbs they really work they have cut my bill by alot My bill use to be about 200.00 a month but with the things I changed it is now about 98.00 hope this helps there is alot more things to also but it will take about a whole page LOL!!!!!!