With summer in full swing, air conditioners are working hard to keep homes cool. Some people recommend giving your AC a break during the hottest parts of the day to prolong its lifespan. Is this good advice? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of letting your air conditioner rest.
What does it mean to let your AC rest?
Letting your air conditioner rest typically means turning it off or raising the thermostat setting for a few hours during the hottest parts of the day, usually from around 1-5 pm. The idea is that by giving your AC a break during peak heat, you’ll put less strain on the system and components like the compressor. This is said to extend the operating life of your air conditioner.
What are the potential benefits?
- May extend the lifespan of your AC system by reducing wear and tear
- Can lower energy bills since you’re running AC less during peak hours
- Allows time for ice to melt in case of icing issues
- Prevents AC from working nonstop for hours which can strain components
The main potential benefit is that giving your air conditioner a break could extend its lifespan by putting less constant demand on the system. Running any appliance for prolonged periods under a heavy load can lead to more wear and tear over time. Letting your AC rest means the compressor, fans, coils and other components get a chance to cool down and reduce the risk of overheating or fatigue.
You may also see lower electricity bills since you’ll reduce AC runtime during the hottest, most expensive hours of the day. Depending on your location and electricity rates, you could save $5 to $20 per month during cooling season.
Additionally, taking a break can allow time for any ice buildup on coils or fins to melt, which is important for maintaining proper function. And avoiding continuous operation for many hours reduces strain on parts that are constantly cycling.
What are the potential drawbacks?
- Home may become hot and uncomfortable during scheduled rest periods
- AC has to work harder to cool home back down after rest period
- More wear from constant stopping and restarting
- No guarantee it will extend AC lifespan
While the potential benefits seem appealing, there are also some downsides to consider:
First, turning your AC off or raising the temperature means your home will get hotter. Depending on the outside temperature and how well-insulated your home is, indoor temperatures could rise quickly and become uncomfortable. You may negate any lifespan benefits if family members override the scheduled rest period because it’s too hot.
When you do turn your AC back on after resting, the system has to work harder and longer to remove all the accumulated heat and cool your home back down. This sudden spike in operation could counteract any benefits from the rest period.
Frequent stopping and restarting of an AC system can put more wear and tear on components like compressor and fan motors. Short run cycles may cause issues over time.
Finally, there are no guarantees that regularly resting your air conditioner will extend its lifespan. Proper sizing and maintenance are much bigger factors. An oversized AC that cycles on and off frequently due to short-running may not benefit as much from scheduled rest periods.
Factors to consider
There are several factors to take into account if you’re thinking about having your AC take regular rest periods:
- Age and condition of your AC system – Older units may benefit more than newer ones
- Size of your AC system – Oversized units already cycle more frequently
- Insulation and air tightness of your home – A leaky, poorly insulated home will heat up much faster
- Outdoor weather conditions – Resting when it’s 95°F out has more impact than at 85°F
- Your electricity rates – Higher peak rates provide more savings opportunity
- Presence of infants, elderly or pets – More risk for unsafe conditions if home gets too hot
The age and current condition of your air conditioner will impact any potential benefits. Older units with years of runtime are more likely to see lifespan gains from resting periods. Newer ACs have fewer running hours and wear, so rests provide less advantage.
Oversized ACs that already turn on and off frequently due to short run times are less likely to benefit. A properly sized system running for longer cycles may gain more from a rest period where components can cool down between cycles.
How well-sealed and insulated your home is will determine how quickly indoor conditions deteriorate when you rest your AC. A leaky, poorly insulated house with lots of windows could heat up very fast. Tight, well-insulated homes will maintain temperatures much longer, making rest periods more feasible.
Outdoor conditions also impact feasibility. Letting your AC rest for a few hours when it’s 85°F out may be comfortable. But resting it when temperatures are 95°F or higher could result in your home becoming unbearably hot before long.
Electricity rates also determine potential savings. In areas with high peak rates from 1-5 pm, you’ll save more by resting your AC for a few hours versus running it. Lower off-peak rates mean less opportunity for savings.
Finally, make sure a hot home won’t threaten pets, infants, elderly or anyone vulnerable to heat risks. Safety should take priority over any potential AC lifespan benefits.
Tips for letting your AC rest
If you want to experiment with having your air conditioner take regular rest periods, here are some tips:
- Program a smart thermostat to raise temperatures for a few mid-day hours
- Manually turn your AC off or adjust thermostat up 3-4 degrees for a few hours
- Do rest periods for only 2-4 hours max to prevent home from getting too hot
- Choose the hottest times of day for rest periods when AC is working hardest
- Use blinds, curtains and fans to help regulate temperatures
- Start conservatively with 1-2 rest periods per week and increase gradually
- Monitor indoor temperature – don’t let home exceed 80°F for safety and comfort
The easiest approach is using a smart thermostat that lets you program scheduled temperature adjustments for specific times and days. For example, you could set it to raise the temperature 4 degrees from 2-5 pm on weekdays. This automates the rest period so you don’t have to remember to manually change settings.
If you don’t have a smart thermostat, you can still manually turn your AC off or adjust the temperature higher for a few hours. Just be sure to monitor home conditions and don’t let things get too hot. Limit rest periods to 2-4 hours max during peak heat.
Try to do the rest periods on the hottest days and times when your AC works hardest. Avoid resting your AC on milder days when it’s easier for it to maintain the target temperature. Gradually increase from 1-2 rest periods per week and scale up as outdoor temperatures rise through summer.
Using blinds, curtains and ceiling fans to circulate air will help regulate temperatures during AC rest periods. And be sure to keep indoor temperatures reasonable for health and comfort. Don’t let your home exceed 80°F.
Conclusion
Letting your air conditioner take occasional rest periods during peak heating times may help extend its lifespan by reducing constant strain on the system. However, there are tradeoffs to consider in terms of comfort, indoor conditions, and increased workload when restarting after a rest. Benefits are highly dependent on your AC equipment, home insulation, outdoor weather, and electricity rates.
Try starting conservatively with 1-2 rest periods per week of 2-4 hours during the hottest mid-day times. Monitor your home’s conditions closely and be willing to adjust as needed for comfort and safety. While not guaranteed to extend lifespan, moderate AC rests are unlikely to cause harm to the system if done properly under the right conditions.
As with any HVAC strategy, remember general maintenance like replacing filters, cleaning coils, and having an annual tune-up is the best way to ensure efficient operation and longevity from your air conditioning system.
| Pros of Letting AC Rest | Cons of Letting AC Rest |
|---|---|
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| Key Factors | Ideal Conditions |
|---|---|
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| Tips | Details |
|---|---|
| Program smart thermostat | Raise temperature for 2-4 hours mid-day |
| Manually adjust thermostat | Turn AC off or up 3-4 degrees for 2-4 hours |
| Pick hottest time of day | When AC is working hardest |
| Use blinds, curtains, fans | Help regulate temps during rest period |
| Start with 1-2 rests per week | Gradually increase through summer |
| Monitor indoor temperature | Don’t exceed 80°F for safety/comfort |