Does Using Less Air Conditioning Save Money?

It stands to reason that the more days you leave your HVAC system turned off, the more money you'll save in energy bills. I know that I truly enjoy having the windows open on breezy spring afternoons and on cool fall nights. In my house, there always seems to be a grudge match between the temperature outside and my stubborn insistence to keep the air conditioning turned off. Living in the Richmond, Virginia area, however, I usually lose that battle sometime around mid-May. The heat and humidity of a Richmond summer comes creeping in and before you know it, I'm sweating while watching prime time TV.

Once the air conditioning is turned on, I generally leave it on for the duration of the summer. Being as frugal as I am, leaving the air conditioning turned to a set temperature throughout the hot summer months will help energy consumption at a steady and consistent flow. Of course, there are vacations and long periods of time that we spend outside of the home. When this happens, I usually turn the air conditioning temperature up to between 80 and 84 degrees. This will help regulate the humidity in the home while we're away - and keep the cat somewhat comfortable.

Constantly fluctuating the thermostat temperature causes your air conditioner and HVAC system to work harder to achieve whichever temperature is set. For example, if you've set the air conditioning to 78 degrees, most air conditioners can handle cooling your house to that setting on even the hottest of summer days. But deciding that you'd like your house significantly cooler - especially on a swelteringly hot day in mid-July - and turning the thermostat down to 70 degrees will cause your air conditioner to run constantly. Remember, air conditioners don't so much cool the air inside your home rather than remove the heat and humidity from the air. There's a big difference. Removing a few degrees of heat is much easier than removing 10-20 degrees of heat.

You'll notice when you turn your central air on and off throughout the summer that your monthly energy bills are ridiculously high. That's because your HVAC system has to work extra hard each time you turn the air-conditioning on to achieve the desired temperature. Keeping the thermostat set at a steady temperature will keep your home at a constant temperature all year round, meaning your air conditioner won't have to work as hard to cool your house, saving you money.

When the season changes to fall, turn off the central air and open the windows. Enjoy the fresh, cool, comfortable air for as long as you can because before you know it, the cold winter will be upon you. Then it's time for the standoff with your furnace, but you'll lose that battle eventually, too.

Mr. Abernathy is a marketing agent of James River Air. The HVAC contractor provides heating and air conditioning throughout Richmond Virginia. For more information on their HVAC Richmond service please visit their website.