Does Turning the Air Conditioner High Then Low All the Time Use More Electricity?

Air Conditioner Damage

• Changing the power usage settings of your air conditioner frequently can overwork the system, especially in an older model that already has years of use. Over time, this can lead to mechanical or electrical failure within the appliance. When failure occurs, the appliance may draw more power than usual, causing your kilowatts per hour (kWh) to rise sharply or spike above your normal usage. This can result in a higher-than-expected electricity bill. Repairing or replacing your air conditioner are the only ways to correct the issue and lower your electric bill.

Keeping Performance Consistent

• The more consistent you keep your power usage in your home, including your air conditioner's power settings, the easier it is to predict your electrical charges each month. According to ENMAX, an energy company, an air conditioner uses a single kWh while the appliance is in operation. Consequently, running your air conditioner all day long uses 24 kWh. Turning the power settings on your air conditioner up and down constantly can cause the appliance to work harder. This means the unit may draw in more electricity, which can increase its kWh usage. Changing the power settings manually may also interrupt any energy-saving functions on the appliance that can help keep its consumption low.

High Electricity Usage

• A high monthly electric bill can also be the result of consistently high power draws from your home appliances. Constantly changing your air conditioner's power settings can raise how much power your home draws in and may even set off special "demand" charges by your local electric company. These charges can add hundreds of dollars to your electric bill based on your usage. According to Trib.com, a Wyoming news website, a local Wyoming business received a $500 demand charge in 2010 for drawing an extra 15 kilowatts over Rocky Mountain Power's usage limit.

Stop Touching the Appliance

• Many modern air conditioners have digital timers and temperature settings that allow you to program how long the appliance runs and the particular power settings. Setting your air conditioners to maintain each room of your home to a certain temperature can help remove the temptation to adjust the settings manually. This can also allow you to estimate your energy usage each month and avoid surprise charges when your utility bills arrives.