[4everLearner]

Hi!

I want to save energy while making the use of the air-conditionar cost-efficient. However, out of the following two theories/options, I am not sure which one is the better to follow. I would be highly appreciative if you would help me make the right choice.

>Given that the thermostat setting should be kept at 78 deg F, which one the following two options is better to go with:

Option A: One should shut down the AC unit every single time one goes outside (for ex. For a days work)

Option B: One should leave the AC running at 78 deg (or turn it a little higher) when going outside and shut the unit off ONLY when leaving for longer period such as multiple days.

Please advice.

Thanks a million,
NJ

[ballengerb1]

Here is option #3, set your fan switch to ON instead of AUTO and leave the fan on 24/7. The rest of your question really depends on your average daily temps day and night. If your daytime temps are say 100 your entire house, woodwork, frame furniture flooring all absob heat with the AC off. It will take a great deal of run time to cool off everything inside the house. Better to set the stat up to the hottest range you could feel comfortable, about 82. An auto stat can be set to turn the AC up and down at times when you are gone to work. If you were planning to be gone for several days then leave the fan on ON and the AC off. Where do you live?

[4everLearner]

Thanks a lot for taking time to answer my question.

I am Georgia resident. Here our avg daily temp can reach up to 95 deg F. Although our power company (GA Power) recommondes for us to keep our (manual) thermostat (unfortunately, we don't have an auto stat) at 78 while keeping the fan on auto, I couldn't find anything on their website about whether to shut the unit down completely or keep it running (at or above 78) when we are not leaving for over mere 8-9 hrs. Assuming that we are talking about just the summer months in GA, I need help deciding which one is more cost-efficient, if we only have the two above mentioned options. Please advise...

Thanks again.

Here is option #3, set your fan switch to ON instead of AUTO and leave the fan on 24/7. The rest of your question really depends on your average daily temps day and night. If your daytime temps are say 100 your entire house, woodwork, frame furniture flooring all absob heat with the AC off. it will take a great deal of run time to cool off everything inside the house. Better to set the stat up to the hottest range you could feel comfortable, about 82. An auto stat can be set to turn the AC up and down at times when you are gone to work. If you were planning to be gone for several days then leave the fan on ON and the AC off. Where do you live?

[ballengerb1]

Leaving the fan on the ON position rather than AUTO will use only very slightly more power and keeps the home feeling cooler since air is always in motion. A auto stat can be bought fairly cheap, $24 and installed by most folks. Some power companies give great advice and others aren't really much help so its good you are figuring this on your own. You can buy/borrow/rent a meter to measure the power your AC uses in a day or just work off your house meter. A two or more similar days record the meter and run the AC 24/7 at 78 degrees. Next day shut it off while you are gone and record the power consumed for the whole day to get it back down to 78. Personal comfort is also importnt when you are getting 95 degrees. If you shut it off while gone it will take an hour or two to get the house back to a comfort level. That's a good argument for getting that $24 stat.