Full Blast Or Shut It Down – The Air Conditioner Question

We are creeping back to 90 degrees and more so it seems only right to revisit a question that gets asked every year about this time.  When it comes to running the air conditioner and energy conservation, is it better to leave the A/C on all day, or only turn it on when you're home?  Make your guess and read on.

Jennifer Amann, buildings program coordinator for the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) says it's best to turn you’re A/C on and off.  She explains that "air-conditioning systems run most efficiently when they're running at full speed" and that they're better able to dehumidify your house when they run at full blast.

Another thought if you're looking to save money, the ACEEE estimates that air conditioners use three to five percent less energy for every degree you raise the thermostat. So if you do leave you A/C on while you're out you should set the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher. (Women’s Health)