Should You Turn the A/C Off or Leave It On?
It’s summertime, which usually means it’s time to pack your bags, find a dog sitter, and round up the kiddos – it’s vacation time. Maybe you plan on heading to the beach or you might prefer the mountains. Whatever your preference, it’s great to spend quality time with your family, rest, relax, and enjoy time away from work.
- If you’re a planner, you might have made a To-Do list for your vacation:
- Hire a dog sitter. Check.
- Have a neighbor pick up your mail. Check.
- Go to the library and pick out a new book. Check.
- Finish off the leftovers in the refrigerator. Check.<.li>
- Turn off the air conditioner. Wait. Should you check this off your list?
Many people may think that turning off your air conditioner is a good idea. Why not? Saves energy, so it saves you money. Sounds good; however, there are even better reasons why you should leave it on but turn it up the temperature a couple of degrees.
Humidity in Virginia
Here in the Shenandoah Valley, you’re used to hot and humid summers. The air feels thick and you feel sticky every time you walk outside.
Humidity seeps into your home when you open the door, through cracks and leaks in ductwork, and poor insulation around windows and doors.
Your air conditioner is your first line of defense against humid conditions in your home. While some homes may need dehumidifiers, most homes can be cool and comfortable without them. That’s your air conditioner at work. An efficient air conditioner; with proper run time, will reduce humidity and cool your home properly.
If you turn off your air conditioner; even if only for a few days, the humidity will build up in your home and feel stifling when you return. Too much humidity in a home contributes to microbial and bacteria growth and is bad for your floors and furniture.
Too Hot Equals Too Much Work in Harrisonburg, Va
If you turn off your air conditioner in the summer for days at a time, the temperature in your home will most likely be in the upper eighties to nineties when you return. Your air conditioner will have to work harder than it should to try to reach your desired temperatures. Not only will it take a while for it to cool off your home, but it’s not good for your air conditioner to have to work this hard. Also, it’s not very energy efficient for your air conditioning system. It’s far better for the air conditioner to maintain temperatures than to have to drastically cool your home. It takes so much more energy to cool your home when the A/C has not been running for an extended period of time. So, turning off the air conditioner won’t actually save energy. It could actually cost you more!
What Can You Do in New Market Virginia?
Turn up the temperature in your home a few degrees, even seven or eight degrees. If you have a programmable thermostat, you can set your thermostat to begin cooling your home before you even make it home. Keep your blinds and curtains closed to keep out direct sunlight. Lastly, enjoy your vacation!
