Is it better to leave A/C on auto with a set thermostat to 75 or leave off until house gets too hot and run?

Question

My wife and i are trying to figure out if it would be cheaper to maintain a set temp or use A/C only when it gets unbearable.

Answer 1

Leave it on auto.  If you turn it on and off, that will actually use up more power.  If you wait until it gets too hot, then the a/c will have to stay on longer to get it cool again.  Just leave it on auto.

Answer 2

leave it on auto.it will cost more to have it running to cool off the house while it is hot inside.

Answer 3

this is what we do we open all the windows at night let all the cool air in then in the morning its about 70 set the A/C to 73 and go on with the day our air doesent kick on all that much during the day and if we did let it get up 80 in our old house the a/c would freez up cause it was working hard

Answer 4

It's better to maintain a certain temperature range. Program the thermostat to keep the house a bit warmer when you're gone for the day, and cool off before you get home. Say you want it to be 75, set it for 75 during the hours you expect to be home (say 9-5 during the week) and 80 when you're gone. You don't want it to go to 90 and then try to cool off the place.