Do you want to keep your air conditioner on in your house? Some people do. You likely have a window air conditioning unit in your home. If you live in a hot area, it’s running almost constantly.
By completing this article, you should know what to look out for in an AC unit and whether or not leaving them on all the time will affect the overall performance.
Air conditioners were made to withstand continuous operation. You won’t damage the system by leaving your air conditioner on constantly.
AC units that are used briefly and then turned off don’t get a chance to fully cool the home, meaning they need a more extended rest before they can begin again.
How Long Can You Leave A Window Air Conditioner Running?
The short answer is that you can leave a window air conditioner running 24/7 during the summer, as long as you don’t mind the energy bill. But it’s best only to run an AC unit when you need it so that you don’t unnecessarily waste electricity and increase your carbon footprint.
Leaving the unit on all day is terrible for your electrical bill—not to mention it’s awful for the environment since there’s no reason to run the unit when nobody is home.
Luckily, you can do many things to keep your home cool without running up your electricity bill or harming the environment.
For example, rather than leaving the window AC unit running 24/7, set it to run only during specific times, then turn it off for the rest of the day.
You could also consider purchasing a smart thermostat to control your heating and cooling system from anywhere in the world using your smartphone. Another way to save energy is by using an energy-efficient window air conditioner.
Pros Of Leaving AC On 24/7
Many people believe that always leaving their air conditioner on is an expensive waste of energy. However, there are various advantages to keeping your AC running 24/7.
It Can Extend The Lifespan Of Your AC
Air conditioners used only for an hour or two a day are likelier to break down than ones kept on constantly. When an AC is turned off, and on again, a great deal of stress is placed on the system, which can cause wear and tear and reduce its lifespan.
Keeping your AC unit running takes away this problem, which can save money in the long run.
By leaving the air conditioner running all day long, you keep your house’s temperature consistent. That means that your AC won’t have to work as hard, which will increase its lifespan.
Cleaner Air (If Your AC has a Filter)
Air conditioners with filters clean the air inside homes by trapping pollutants and circulating clean air throughout the rooms. However, if you turn off your system during the day and turn it back on when you get home, you release those trapped pollutants into the air while sitting idle.
When you leave your system running all day, it continuously filters them out of the air so they’re never released into your space.
It means that you’ll breathe cleaner air while protecting the system from dirt and other harmful particles that could clog its Filter.
Better Dehumidification
When you’re home and awake, turning the AC off and opening your windows to combat humidity is often more pleasant.
But at night, turning the fan on instead of just turning the AC off can keep your home from getting muggy. In addition, it keeps the moisture in your home from holding heat you’d otherwise have to cool down later.
It will make you feel more pleasant in your home, but it can also help protect your belongings from damage. Unfortunately, mold and mildew will also make your home less hospitable.
More Efficient During Hot Days
Leaving your air conditioner nonstop can be more efficient than turning it on and off on hot days. When you turn the AC occasionally, the system has to work harder to lower the temperature in your home whenever you turn it back on.
In many cases, leaving your AC 24/7 is more cost-effective because it doesn’t have to work so hard to recover from being turned off daily.
Similarly, if you’re gone during a hot day and come home to a house with no AC running, it will be much harder for the system to cool things down as quickly as it would if it had been running all along.
Cons Of Leaving AC On 24/7
Leaving your air conditioner on 24/7 may seem like an excellent way to maintain a relaxed and comfortable home all day, but it could lead to some problems.
Here’s why you shouldn’t leave your AC on all the time.
It Will Consume More Energy
If you always leave your air conditioner on, it will continue to consume power all day, even when you’re not home. If you don’t have an energy-efficient model, this could significantly increase your monthly utility bills.
The further you run your AC, the more it uses power (and the more money it will cost you). And since it will run harder for extended periods, it’s more likely to break down and less likely to last as long as it should without needing repairs.
It Will Be Less Efficient At Dehumidifying Your Indoor Air
Air conditioners are designed to keep indoor spaces cool and comfortable, removing humidity from the air.
When your AC unit is left off for extended periods, the moisture can build back up in your home. It may cause discomfort and condensation on windows and walls, resulting in mold growth if left unchecked.
When the air inside of your home is humid, that means that it’s full of moisture. That moisture can create an uncomfortable environment and cause mold growth or other problems throughout your home.
It Will Hurt The Environment
Running an AC all day long hurts the environment by increasing carbon emissions from electricity production facilities that burn fossil fuels like coal or natural gas.
To mitigate this impact on climate change, try setting timers for when you need cooling most.
Because of the extra energy consumption and strain on the unit itself from constant use, an overworked AC unit is more likely to leak refrigerant into the atmosphere—which is terrible news for our ozone layer.
It Might Be Dangerous If Left Unattended
Running your window AC 24/7 can be dangerous if you’re not careful. For example, if your air conditioner is poorly installed and the cold air leaks into your home’s wall, it can cause mold to grow inside your home.
Another hazard that might happen if you leave your AC on all the time (especially in the winter) is an ice buildup in the unit itself.
It occurs because the condenser coil inside of the unit gets too cold and freezes over. The ice prevents it from working correctly and can even cause damage to other parts of the unit.
Running Window AC 24/7 clogs its air filters with dirt
Running your window AC 24/7 leads to a faster accumulation of dirt in its air filter, which means you’ll have to clean or replace it more often than usual—and that’s going to get expensive fast if you don’t want dirt buildup; to happen again later down the road.
You also risk damaging other components by not cleaning them out regularly enough, which will cost even more money and time when repairs are needed (or, worse yet, a complete replacement).
Your window AC unit is designed to be used in an open window, making it prone to letting in dust and dirt. Leaving it running all day long will only increase the dust and dirt in the system.
Alternatives For Leaving Window AC On 24/7
After your window AC has been running all day, the last thing you want is to turn it off and risk coming home to a hothouse. But leaving the unit on 24/7 isn’t an excellent idea for your wallet or the environment.
Here are some ideas if you’re looking for alternatives to keep your house comfortable without being a burden.
Closing the doors and windows
Closing the doors and windows in any room with an air conditioner will help keep the cool air inside. You can even put plastic over your windows to help keep the cold air in and warm air out.
It will help make sure that cool air doesn’t escape, and it will help ensure that a cozy atmosphere from other parts of the house doesn’t enter. If there are any places where outside perspective might be blowing in, your AC will struggle to keep the temperature cool.
Turning off your AC overnight
Turning off your AC overnight when you don’t need it also greatly affects energy consumption and cost. It can be as easy as setting your thermostat to a higher temperature (in summer) before bed.
It is beneficial to get comfortable sleeping with the temperature a few degrees warmer than usual. By turning off your AC, you’ll save money, and when you wake up, you can turn it back on and enjoy cool temperatures again in no time.
Investing in a fan
You could invest in a portable fan. Portable fans are often less expensive than the standard window AC unit and can be used to push the cool air around a space or room.
A ceiling or standing fan can help circulate the air, making it feel more relaxed and comfortable. But, again, it is beneficial if you’re going to be in the room for a more extended period, like when you sleep.
Planting trees
Trees with broad leaves will shade your windows and help to keep your home cooler during the day. When they drop leaves in the winter, they’ll let light through to help warm your home naturally.
Consider planting a few trees around your home or apartment if you have outdoor space. The shade they provide can help keep the inside of your home cooler during the summer months.
Is It Safe To Run A Window A/C Unit All Night?
Suppose you’re wondering if it’s safe to run a window air conditioner unit 24 hours a day, seven days a week, yes.
If you’re worried about keeping your energy costs low, try these tips for reducing your energy bill with your AC unit:
- Set your thermostat as peak as you can stand it in the summer. If it’s 85 degrees outside, don’t set your thermostat at 65 degrees inside. That will create an uncomfortable environment for you. It will also cause your AC to work harder than necessary to make up for the remarkable difference in temperature between inside and outside.
- Use fans to circulate cool air throughout your home instead of using your AC to reach a lower temperature. As a result, you’ll be comfortable with a moderate temperature and fans that push cool air around—and you’ll save money on energy bills.
What Happens If A Window A/C Unit Runs Too Long?
Typically, a window air conditioner can run continuously without being damaged. However, that doesn’t mean you should always let it run.
If you constantly use a window air conditioner, you may wonder whether running the unit for long periods is safe.
Here’s what you need to realize about the safety of running a window air conditioner for prolonged periods:
- Higher-than-normal energy bills. If your AC is running for longer than it needs to, your energy bill—so if your charges are higher than usual, this is happening.
- Damage to the unit. Overusing your AC could damage its parts, making it less efficient and more expensive.
- Frozen pipes. It can lead to frozen household pipes if you consistently leave your air conditioner running while no one is home or overnight.
