Should you raise the dial on your AC when you’re not home or turn it off?

Interested in learning more? Keep reading!

1. Help reduce the risk of mold growth and pest infestations in your home.

   Shutting off your air conditioner may lead to increased indoor humidity levels within your home. And do you know who happens to love humidity? Mold and Bugs!

   The explanation is straightforward: an air conditioner not only lowers temperature but also removes moisture from the air. When the system is switched off completely, indoor humidity can quickly climb, sometimes reaching levels above 60%, creating conditions that may encourage mold development and attract insects.

   However, raising the thermostat by 7 to 10 degrees allows the air conditioner to cycle periodically, helping manage indoor moisture and keeping humidity at a more comfortable range of around 45%–55%.

2. Increasing the thermostat setting helps maintain a comfortable indoor environment.

   No one loves coming home to a humid, stuffy house. But if you are turning your AC off when you leave the house…that is exactly what you are setting yourself up to come home to!

   Instead of a complete shutdown, try just turning your thermostat up a few degrees to help manage the indoor humidity and keep temperatures at a suitable level.

3. Save money by raising the thermostat

   Raising your thermostat for eight hours or more each day may help reduce cooling expenses over the course of the summer.

   How is that possible you ask? It’s simple: increasing your thermostat setting reduces the temperature gap between indoors and outdoors, which lessens the strain on your AC system and helps improve energy efficiency.

There you have it – three little reasons to NOT shut off your air conditioning unit when you leave the house.