Does it really help to set the ac at a certain temp and never move it?

[disneyofcourse]

Just wondering, because we constantly move the needle up and down depending on if its to cold or hot in the apartment.

Should we turn the system off when we leave for work? Or keep it set to a setting?

 

[me again]

We started just this summer leaving the ac at one constant temperature. we even installed lock boxes on the thermostat to discourage monkeying with it (amazing how much of a habit it was!)

I think it makes a difference. OUr bills are lower than this time last year. When I was single and lived in an apartment I thought I was saving money by turning the ac off during the day, but realized it took 1-2 hours to cool it down to 78 when I returned home. I found if I left it at a constant 80 degrees during the day then 79 when I came home my bills were much lower. You're just going in opposite directions, turning it off/on throughout the day.Now that i'm a SAHM its a bit more complicated how to adjust the ac since someone's home all day, so we decided just to keep it at 79 all the time. We are so used to it we're miserable in stores, restaurants, etc with a lower temperature. I must admit I probably look slightly ridiculous carrying a sweater in 90+ heat, but I just can't take the cooler temperatures, especially in movie theaters.

I noticed that apartments are very inefficient insofar as the electric goes. I was really afraid when I moved from an apartment to our first home that the electric bill would be much, much more than our small apartment, funny thing, it was actually somewhat lower. OUr apt was all electric and cheap energy-hog appliances.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Leaving the temp on one setting even when not home does not save money. Now turning it off and on is not better either. Everything in the house will absorb moisture that the A/C needs to remove. Setting it higher but leaving it on keeps the humidity out. Also expensive wood floors, cabinets and furniture will be ruined by the contant absorbing and then releasing of the humidity. Real wood likes a constant humidity level.

 

[me again]

bump

 

[rflorek]

I've seen this information on several low-cost, energy saving tip sites:

•Turn off the air conditioner when you are going
to be gone for several hours and draw the
shades to keep heat out. It takes less energy to
re-cool the house when you return than it does
to keep it cool while you are gone.

• Set yur thermostat at a higher than normal temperazture - 78 or higher is ideal. It will save you 15% over a setting of 72.