Why You Shouldn’t Just Run Your Air Conditioner During the Hottest Parts of the Day

23 May Why You Shouldn’t Just Run Your Air Conditioner During the Hottest Parts of the Day

When the summer heat peaks, it’s tempting to only run your air conditioner during the hottest hours. After all, that’s when you feel the discomfort most. But using your AC only in short, intense bursts can actually be less energy efficient—and more expensive—than keeping a steady temperature throughout the day. Temco Air Environmental explains why maintaining a consistent indoor temperature is a smarter, more cost-effective approach, along with providing a few tips to help you keep cool without breaking the bank.

It Takes More Energy to Catch Up

If you turn off your AC or set your thermostat high during the cooler parts of the day and then crank it down during peak heat, your system has to work overtime to cool your space back down. That sudden surge in demand puts a strain on your air conditioner, using more electricity and potentially shortening its lifespan. Instead, setting a moderate, consistent temperature allows your system to maintain comfort with less effort. If the strain is too much for your system, Temco Air Environmental can perform air conditioning repair or replacement.

Your Home’s Thermal Mass Works Against You

When your house heats up during the day, it retains that heat even after the sun goes down. So, if you let the interior temperature rise too high, it takes much longer (and requires more energy) to cool everything down later. Keeping your indoor temp in a reasonable range throughout the day helps prevent your home from becoming a giant heat sink that your air conditioning system has to fight against.

Peak Demand = Higher Costs

In many areas, energy rates are higher during peak hours—typically late afternoon to early evening when everyone’s using power. If you’re only running your AC at that time, you could be paying more per kilowatt hour than if you ran it more steadily earlier in the day. A more even usage pattern can help you avoid those higher peak rates.

Tips to Maximize Cooling Efficiency: Set It and Forget It
A good target for summer is around 78°F when you’re home and awake, and 85°F when you’re away. Smart thermostats can automate these changes, so you don’t have to think about it. Schedule your AC to kick on slightly before the heat peaks so it can maintain a cooler home with less effort, rather than struggling to catch up once it’s already hot. It also helps to close blinds or curtains during the day to reduce indoor heat gain. 

Use Fans Wisely and Make Sure to Stay on Top of Maintenance
Ceiling and box fans help circulate cool air, making rooms feel cooler so you can keep the thermostat slightly higher. Just remember to turn them off when you leave the room—fans cool people, not spaces.

Having clean filters, clear vents, and regular AC maintenance from Temco Air Environmental all help your system run at peak efficiency year-round.

Temco Air Environmental is a local air conditioning service in Tucson, AZ, and we want to help keep you cool in the Arizona heat. Our experienced team can perform regular AC tune-ups before summer sets in and help make sure your HVAC system is operating at its best. Contact us today to schedule your service.