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May 5, 2023

When to Turn on your AC?

Cooling/AC

Summer is fast approaching and soon we will be facing those uncomfortably hot temperatures. We’re often teased with a sprinkle of summer in April and May, and for some, that is reason enough to put on their shorts and crank the air conditioning.

We’re all about conserving energy, saving money and living comfortably here at A1. Because of this, we have set out on a quest to find the ideal time to turn on your air conditioner.

What do the experts say?

We will use the World Health Organizations (WHO) standards for a healthy indoor temperature to find out. The WHO recommends 18C as a minimum for indoor temperature but recommends 21C  if there are any children or elderly people in the home. Overall, the range of temperatures they deem safe is 18C to 22C, but we’ll stick with the 21C.

Temperatures will vary each year!

In the spring, temps may start to rise through the day but nights may stay a bit cooler. So, the most important thing is to pay attention to the low temperature at night.

Once you see the night temperatures hit MID TWENTIES 20-21C or above, it is time to turn on that wonderful air conditioner so you can get a good night’s sleep.

Although temperatures fluctuate a great deal throughout April, May and even June, the average high temperature doesn’t rise above 21C until early June. However, the average low temperature doesn’t reach above 18⁰ until the end of June. But every year can be different as we know!

While there are different preferences for temperature and certainly fluctuations in temperature on specific dates from year to year, it’s likely that you won’t need to turn your air conditioning until late May or early June.

A lot depends on how energy efficient you are!

The low temperature reaching a comfortable level much later than the high also stresses the importance of a programmable thermostat. Your temperature needs will change drastically depending on the time of day, so ensuring that you conserve energy while the outdoors will cool your home for you is essential to lowering energy costs.

How much energy you save from a smart thermostat varies widely based on local climate, home size, and occupancy. Energy Star says their certified smart thermostats save on average 8% on heating or cooling or $50/year on your bill. According to Nest, you can save 10% to 12% on heating and 15% on cooling using a smart thermostat. They say this can result in average savings of between $131 and $145 per year on your utility bills. Ecobee’s estimates reach up to 26% savings.

Impressive numbers but your personal results will depend on many factors – best to speak with the professionals at A1 to learn more about what is best for your specific home/equipment installed.

Is it better to leave your thermostat at one temperature?

The startup process for a furnaces and air conditioners generally consumes more energy than simply running the entire time at one set temperature, costing you additional money. To maximize efficiency, it’s best to keep your AC at the same consistent temperature for long periods of time – rather than cycling on and off. That said, best to turn down your AC at night and when you are gone from the house for a long period of time.

Remember that your house is at its coolest in the mornings. Outdoor temperatures drop overnight and the summer sun isn’t heating up your house. Setting your AC to run in the mornings is the best way to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature and save money on cooling costs because the unit doesn’t have to work as hard.

What about humidity early in the year?

If humidity sets in early in the year, watch out for this.  Reason is if the humidity level outside is above 65%, you are usually much better off keeping your windows closed at night and turning on your AC instead. The reason is that opening your windows allows all of that humid air to get inside the house. Your AC unit will work overtime during the day to get rid of the humidity.

So, when to turn on my AC?

Taking all the data into consideration, we have decided to officially name June 1st Southern Ontario’s “Turn on your Air Conditioner Day”. We recommend you hold out on starting your home cooling system until then to reap the rewards of lower energy costs.

When the day temps start to rise, best to keep your windows (and blinds) closed during the day and open at night when the air is still running a bit cooler. This will help trap the cooler air in your home, further delaying when you have to turn on your AC!

Don’t be left guessing if your AC will turn on!

To reach the utmost level of efficiency, however, you should be making sure your air conditioner is ready for the official launch into the cooling season. Our triple-certified A1 Technicians are here to help you keep your AC equipment in tip-top shape!

Expert AC maintenance from A1 that helps everyone keep their cool!

A precision AC tune-up will help you save money by reducing your energy bills, preventing costly breakdowns and will extend the life of your system.

Schedule a Precision Tune-up for your AC system today!

Did you know?

Did you know that total lifetime HVAC costs can be up to 50% lower for those who perform the right preventative maintenance and cleaning of their heating and cooling systems?