How Low Can I Set My Air Conditioner?

Air conditioning is all but essential in parts of the world where the summer heat reaches uncomfortable, and sometimes dangerous, levels. When your house is blazing hot it's often tempting to simply set the A.C. as low as the controls will allow and enjoy the blast of refrigerated air. But you might think twice when you understand the trade-off in efficiency and that an ice-cold house comes at a significant financial toll.

Setting for Summer

Summer is peak season for air conditioner use and you will likely see a significant increase in your energy bill over the months when the outside temperature is at its highest. Enmax, a Canadian energy company based in Calgary, estimates every degree you set your A.C. below 77 degrees F. uses between three and five percent more energy. She just cut her electricity bill to 60%, click here to read. To keep your air conditioner running as efficiently as possible keep the thermostat at or around 77 degrees, unless you're prepared to cough up for the added expense.

Setting for Winter

Even the hottest countries experience a brief respite period each year when you can turn down or switch off the air conditioning completely. Turn off the A.C. and open a window for ventilation whenever possible, especially if the outside temperature is below 65 F. Ice starts to develop on the internal parts of an air conditioner when the outside temperature is already suitably cool. Purchasing an electric fan helps to reduce your energy bill and cool your home.

Maintaining the Temperature

Maintaining your ideal temperature is fraught with obstacles; firstly, cold air has a tendency to escape by any means possible. Secondly, any source of heat in the room has a counter productive effect and works against the A.C.. Keep all windows and doors, especially ones leading outside, closed as often as possible. Turn off all heat sources such as clothes dryers and ovens if you need a quick burst of cold air.

Tips

Closing the curtains or blinds to the house helps to reflect some of the sun's heat away from your property before it has the chance to add to the overall temperature. Try combining a fan with your air conditioner if it is not hooked up to an air circulation system. For the long-term, consider planting trees near your house for shade.

---

• 
  

  Adjust Your Air-Conditioner Settings - Apartments - Rent and

  apartments.about.com/.../a/Adjust-Your-Air-Conditioner-Settings.htm

  Many apartment dwellers don't use all the features of their air-conditioning units. But adjusting settings can let you stay as cool as you need to be while also ...

• 
  

  What Temperature Should I Set the Air Conditioner eHow

  www.ehow.com Home Repair & Maintenance Home Maintenance

  How Low Can I Set My Air Conditioner? How Low Can I Set My Air Conditioner?. ... At What Temperature Should You Set the Air Conditioner for Winter? What Should...

• 
  

  How can I make my air conditioner more efficient?

  Full questionBest answerOther answersanswers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=...Resolved Last updated: Jul 10, 2011 8 posts 7 total answers

  Jul 10, 2011 Our air conditioners have been as low as they can go ... What can I do to make my air conditioners ... This are close examples of most popular set

• 
  

  How Low Can I Set My Air Conditioner? eHow

  www.ehow.com Home Appliances Air Conditioners

  Air conditioning is all but essential in parts of the world where the summer heat reaches uncomfortable, and sometimes dangerous, levels. When your house is blazing ...

• 
  

  Heating - Central Air Conditioning - HVAC Contractor Chas ...

  www.chasroberts.com/knowledge-center/faqs

  low 70s, or during humid ... What temperature should I set my thermostat? ... 13. How often should I have maintenance done on my air conditioner?

• 
  

  Don't Set Your Air Conditioner Thermostat Like This

  www.energyvanguard.com/blog-building-science-HERS-BPI/bid/38619/...

  Don't Set Your Air Conditioner Thermostat Like This. ... when using dx systems the moisture content of the air tends to reach low levels making the air too dry.

• 
  

  How do you add freon to a home air conditioner - The Q&A wiki

  wiki.answers.com Air Conditioning and Coolant

  And why is your pocket bulging with all of my money? You can add freon to the low ... running air-conditioner or u can feel the ... put it is the difference ...

• 
  

  By the Numbers: "Best" setting for air conditioner thermostat

  news.consumerreports.org Home & Garden

  78 Ideal setting, in degrees Fahrenheit, for your air conditioner's thermostat. ... During heating season, set your thermostat to 68For as low as you can take it.

• 
  

  How to Recharge the Air Conditioner in a Car: 12 Steps - wikiHow

  www.wikihow.com Cars Car Maintenance and Repair

  How to Recharge the Air Conditioner in a Car. ... you will need to fit a charging hose on the low pressure port, ... fix leaks use a manifold gauge set and be safe! ...

• 
  

  How can i set up this air conditioner? - Yahoo!

  Full questionBest answeranswers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20120707053833AAuuLbdResolved Last updated: Jul 07, 2012 3 posts 2 total answers

  Jul 07, 2012 Best Answer: Window air cons come with a bracket for the top, so that it can be installed in a variety of windows. The

• 
  

  How do you add Freon to your central air conditioner unit? - Fixya

  www.fixya.com/support/t13424-add_freon_central_air_conditioner_unitRating: 5/5 675 reviews

  Aug 08, 2005 so for everyone who says " my air conditioner is running but ... u have the line hooked to the low side. u can probley put a can r 2 in with out ...

• 
  

  The Best Temperature for an Air Conditioner Renovate Australia

  www.renovateaustralia.com/2009/07/18/what-temperature-do-you-set...

  The recommended temperature to set your air conditioner to is 25C ... turn your air con UP on really hot days and you'll still feel cool AND keep your ac bills low!

• 
  

  How long should I leave my air conditioner set? Break All Day

  www.baday.net/.../how-long-should-i-leave-my-air-conditioner-set.html

  I have always wondered, how long should I leave my air conditioner set in my hair? ... and the air conditioner you can leave for a while, ...

• 
  

  Help me cool my house without air conditioning - cold ...

  ask.metafilter.com/.../Help-me-cool-my-house-without-air-conditioning

  Jul 20, 2011 How can I cool my house without air conditioning? ... you can set them to intake ... Low pressure evaporative misting systems can lower air ...

• 
  

  How to Check Your Air Conditioner Before Calling for Service

  www.wikihow.com Air Conditioning

  How to Check Your Air Conditioner Before Calling for ... This can cause low air flow which allows ice to ... If nothing is happening with the thermostat set, ...

• 
  

  Can i set my thermostat very low in summer? Free Home

  www.utilitybillbusters.com/articles/cooling/can-i-set-my...

  Can i set my thermostat very low in ... So I think this question is probably geared more towards systems or homes with air conditioning. Setting a thermostat low, ...

• What Temperature Should I Set My Air Conditioner? - Ask.com

  www.ask.com Q&A Industries Construction and Maintenance

  What Temperature Should I Set My Air Conditioner? Answer. ... However, you may find 79 degrees to be too high or low for your preference. Reference: www.aps.com.

• How to Recharge Air Conditioner

  www.air-conditioner-selection.com/how-to-recharge-air-conditioner.html

  How to recharge air conditioner style 2: From low side: ... attach compound pressure gauges hose of the gauge set, to the suction service valve of the air ...

• 14 Things You Should Know About Air Conditioning

  ezinearticles.com Heating and Air Conditioning

  Jul 22, 2007 My home summer air conditioning bill is bigger per month than the winter heating ... With low refrigerant, the AC ... or rather trying to put it to work ...

• How can I put freon in my window air conditioner? - Fixya

  www.fixya.com/support/t9858630-put_freon

  Jul 23, 2011 how can I put freon in my window air conditioner? - Quiet Zone 12M12TA Air Conditioner Problem by tndallenbach. ... low suction low pressure

• Should I try putting freon in my car's air

  Full questionOther answersanswers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=...Open 7 total answers Published May 14, 2010

  May 14, 2010 I had a mechanic look at my car's air conditioner. ... I do not recommend that you put freon in yourself. If it is low on