How to maximize air conditioning efficiency??

Question

I live in New England where the weather changes by the minute. On the days where it is hot and humid air conditioning is a must as our condo holds onto heat and it becomes unbearable. Some days the temp dips and it seems to be cooler outside than it is inside with the air on 70, however the next day it is hot and humid again. Should I turn the air off when it's cooler and back on when it's hot? Or leave it on at all times and lower the temp when it's hot out? When we leave it on during the cooler days and turn the temp up to 75 or so so it won't run, it seems hotter inside than out. Which way will cost more? Keeping it on or turning it off when it's cooler and then right back on again a day later?

I should mention it's central air, and we run our ceiling fans to circulate the cool air as much as possible...

Answer 1

Try to keep it at a reasonable temp. because putting it up or down to many times is going to cost you more in electricity in the long run, your not saving anything.

Answer 2

The first thing that popped into my mind was "Electricity Bills!"  

Keeping it running all the time would cost you big time, but if that's what you have to do, then go for it.  On the lower-but-comfortable setting (like maybe 65-68F)  it probably won't do that much damage.  

Have you considered having your windows tinted?  There's stuff you can buy and put up yourself, but the visual clarity of it isn't wonderful.  The professional stuff used in vehicles is much better, but requires a professional installer.   You would of course have this in place all year, so in winter your view of the outside world would have a darker look to it, and any winter sun would be blocked.

The stuff I am familiar with is called (for lack of  brand name) Limo Tint, and it blocks, according to the guy who installed it on my car, all but 20% of the suns light and heat.  You can get it in three shades I believe...with varying degrees of light and heat coming in.

HTH