We know that there are hot summer days in which the only thing you want is a fresh breeze throughout your house. In this regard, there are various devices homeowners can purchase to be comfortable during the hottest months of the year. The majority of the people choose to install a central air conditioner system. However, if you have a tight budget, it might be better to get a window air conditioner. If this is your situation, we know one of your questions is: is it safe to leave window air conditioner on all day?
For those of you who don’t know what a window air conditioner is, here is a quick review. This device is one of the simplest forms of air conditioner you can get on the market. Due to its design and characteristics, a window AC is perfect for a studio apartment or if you want to target one specific room in your home.
Unlike a central HVAC system that has different components attached, this window air conditioner system is a single unit that contains all the necessary elements in a box. The name of this appliance comes from the fact that it needs to be installed in a window and plugged into a regular outlet. The best part about buying this type of air conditioner is that it can be moved throughout your house and placed in different rooms.
Since this AC works separately from a general HVAC system, most homeowners wonder: is it safe to leave a window air conditioner on all day? But, before we answer this question, it is crucial to understand how a window air conditioner works.
Window Air Conditioner: How it works
This window unit works the same way as other air conditioners do. Through a simple refrigeration process, the appliance will remove all the heat and humidity of the space where it is located. Plus, at the same time, it will ensure cold air circulates your home.
The way it works is that when the air inside your room starts heating up, that will trigger the thermostat on your window air conditioner. To bring the temperature back down, it will move the airflow through the refrigerant coils and then push it back into the house.
As with any other appliance, a window air conditioner needs regular maintenance. Throughout the years, the unit would need a couple of repairs. To learn more about the top providers in the industry that you should contact when this happens, read here.
Is it safe to leave window air conditioner on all day?
Now that you know how a window air conditioner works, it is time to answer the main question of this article, “is it safe to leave portable air conditioners on all day?” Because this type of unit is designed to stand a long usage time, the answer is that it is safe to leave the window AC on 24/7.
We know that you might be wondering if leaving it on all day could potentially damage the unit. The good news is that even during the hottest days, you won’t have to worry about any component melting down. Plus, the efficiency of your air conditioner will still be the same throughout its lifespan.
However, even while there are no dangerous risks when it comes to running your window air conditioner all day, most homeowners only use it in intervals. We will explain some of the reasons in the next section.
Why should I turn off my window air conditioner?
As we explained in the section above, leaving your air conditioner on all day won’t cause any issues or malfunctions in the device. But, here are some reasons why you might want to turn off your window air conditioner for at least a couple of hours.
1. Lower electricity bill
Your window air conditioner is one of the appliances that will consume more energy in your home. That’s why if you want to save some money every month, you should turn off your AC at least when you are not home. We know that this might be a little tedious since you’ll have to manually turn it on and off all day. But, if you want to avoid this situation, you can purchase a programmable thermostat.
If you can get this thermostat, you can program the AC. That way, it will only run while you are home or during specific intervals.
2. Dehumidifying the indoor air
One thing you need to know about air conditioners is that these units work better when they are at full speed. However, the only way in which you can achieve this is by letting the air conditioner run during intervals. But, if you leave your air conditioner on all day, it won’t be as efficient.
When you leave your air conditioner on 24/7, the unit is not going to efficiently dehumidify your indoor air. This means that even when there is a cool airflow throughout your home, the environment might feel uncomfortable.
3. Damaging to the environment
It doesn’t matter how sophisticated your window air conditioner is, due to the refrigerant products, several greenhouse gases are released into the air. In other words, using your air conditioner for a long time will contribute to climate change. If you want to help the planet, you should choose specific times to run your air conditioner. Plus, if you are going away for a few days, you can just unplug it.
4. Unexpected risks
Even though there is not a direct risk when you leave your window air conditioner on all day, there are unexpected situations you can’t plan for. For instance, let’s say you are on vacation and you didn’t turn off your air conditioner. If there is an electricity spike, it could damage your air conditioner, and you won’t be there to turn it off. This means when you get home, your only option might be replacing your air conditioner.
Overall, leaving your air conditioner on all day is a personal decision. However, if you want to make the most out of this unit, you should let it rest and only use it during specific intervals.
