Does setting AC too low damage it?

Air conditioners generally only cool at one speed (though some have variable speed settings to improve energy efficiency). Lowering the temperature too much only makes your air conditioner run for longer, increasing wear and tear on your AC along with your bills.

Is it bad to set your AC too low?

Even in normal circumstances, turning a thermostat down too low is not a good idea: the compressor will run longer without improved cooling. Trying to utilise this to compensate for an air conditioner can no longer chill the house as effectively as it should be, putting more load on an already faulty system.

Is it bad to set an AC below 72?

It's best to not set your thermostat lower than 70 to 72 degrees. Most units are not designed to cool a house below that point, and you risk the system freezing up.

Is it bad to set AC below 70?

Do not set your thermostat below 70 degrees as it will not cool any faster and could freeze up the system causing more problems. Understand that there is generally a 20 degree difference between indoor air and outside temperatures.

Is it better to run AC on low or high?

High is usually most effective for cooling during normal warm weather. However, when it's very humid, it's better to keep the fan on low. This cools most effectively because it circulates the humid air slowly and steadily through the air conditioner, allowing it to dehumidify the air more efficiently.

AC Temperature Setting and Display

Is it bad to run AC below 60 degrees?

In most cases, especially in residential applications, you should not run your air conditioner when outdoor temperatures are below 60 degrees. The air conditioner does function, but you are going to burn out the compressor fairly quickly.

What is the most efficient temp to run AC?

According to the Department of Energy¹, 78° Fahrenheit is the sweet spot for air conditioners to balance energy savings and comfort when people are at home and need cooling.

Is 67 too cold for AC?

Finding Your Ideal Temperature

The ultimate answer to, “How cold is too cold?” may be 68 degrees, but to maintain home comfort without wasting energy, keep your thermostat between 72 and 78 degrees. If you're comfortable at 78, then try bumping it up to 79 … and then 80.

Is it bad to set your AC to 65?

Generally, most AC units will do well with a thermostat set somewhere between 65 and 80 degrees.

At what temperature does AC become ineffective?

Temperatures Above 100 Degrees Fahrenheit

Most air conditioning systems are designed to function with outside temperatures of 100 degrees or less. When temperatures outside become higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the air conditioning system can consume more energy and begin to malfunction or fail.

Is 74 too cold for AC?

Typically, our bodies are most comfortable when the air inside our home is 74-76 degrees. So, a safe setting is 75 degrees. However, this is only necessary when you're in your home. If you're like most, you are gone during the day.

How low is too low for thermostat?

How Low is Too Low to Set My Thermostat? If you're going to be leaving your home or traveling for the winter, it's best to keep your thermostat set no lower than 55 degrees. If you don't, you could risk having your pipes freeze over.

Is 75 too low for AC?

Generally, when you are at home, your A/C's ideal temperature is between 76- and 78-degrees Fahrenheit. If you spend most of the day away from the house, set the thermostat a few degrees higher instead of cooling your home for no reason.

How low should AC be set at night?

Sleeping in a room with the air conditioner set to an appropriate temperature is important for quality sleep. The ideal AC temperature for sleeping is around 65°F (18.3°C). However, this may differ between individuals, who might find their ideal AC temperature lies between 60 and 67°F (15.6 and 19.4°C).

Can setting your AC too low cause it to freeze?

This may sound a bit fanciful: after all, the lowest setting on most thermostats is 60°F, which is definitely far above freezing. But there's truth to this—an air conditioner can suffer from coil-freeze with the thermostat lowered too far.

Is it cheaper to run AC on low?

Turning Your Air Conditioner On & Off vs.

Since air conditioners use more energy when they cycle all day, it is cheaper to let your system operate at full capacity when you're home instead of running it at a lower capacity all day. The more energy you use, the more money you'll pay in monthly utility bills.

Is 68 too cold for AC in summer?

According to the DOE, the ideal home temperature during winter weather is 68 degrees Fahrenheit. In comparison, the ideal air conditioner temperature during the summer months is 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

Is 68 too low to set AC?

Thus, temperature setting below 68 degrees is generally not recommended for optimal performance. The ideal temperature lies between 75 to 78 degrees.

Is 69 too cold for AC?

Turning your AC to 69 degrees is getting relatively close to the “danger zone” for causing it to freeze up and break. Typically, we recommend keeping your thermostat set to no less than 68 degrees. Since 69 is above that temperature, it would most likely be safe.

Is 72 too hot AC?

When setting your thermostat, most homeowners find 72 is a good temperature for air conditioning. However, you may need to adjust that setting based on weather conditions. The bigger the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, the higher your energy bill will be.

What is the best setting for AC in summer?

To stay comfortable and save money this summer, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78F (26C) when you are home. Setting your air conditioner to this level will allow you to stay cool and avoid an unusually high electricity bill.

Should you lower AC at night?

If the nighttime air that comes into your home cools the indoor temperature to lower than you usually set the thermostat for the air conditioner, turning off the AC should save you some money.

How cool should my AC keep my house in 100 degree weather?

How cool should my house be if it's 100° outside? The majority of air conditioning units are designed to only cool the air about 20 degrees from the outside temperature. If the temperatures outside are approaching triple digits, you should set your thermostat at about 78°.

Is it cheaper to keep AC at constant temp?

The startup process for a furnace consumes more energy than simply running the entire time at one set temperature, costing you additional money. To maximize efficiency, it's best to keep your furnace (or AC) at the same consistent temperature for long periods of time.

Is 70 too hot for AC?

If you want to feel good, as in comfortable, many people will want to lower their thermostat to the low 70s in summer. But if you're talking about saving money on energy and limiting your environmental impact, 70 degrees Fahrenheit is a very bad temperature for your AC to reach.