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Message
Whats more energy efficient ?
Posted on 8/2/16 at 11:59 am
Posted on 8/2/16 at 11:59 am
Your AC running all day or for it to run for 5 minutes then kick off then run again for 5 minutes etc. I've read that kicking on and off will use more energy than it just running.
11
Posted on 8/2/16 at 12:00 pm to Brazos
short cycling is not good for the compressor
Posted on 8/2/16 at 12:01 pm to Brazos
I'm terribly unqualified to answer this question, but I'd imagine running all day is still the worse of the two from an energy consumption standpoint.
Posted on 8/2/16 at 12:01 pm to Perrydawg
That's what I thought. I guess I should just bump it down a couple degrees so it can just run.
Posted on 8/2/16 at 12:02 pm to Brazos
quote:
That's what I thought. I guess I should just bump it down a couple degrees so it can just run.
Well there is a difference between the more energy efficient decision and the decision that is better for you compressor, no?
Posted on 8/2/16 at 12:05 pm to slackster
Depends on if we literally mean letting it run constantly all day with no thermostat, and literally switching on and off every 5 minutes as if there were a timer attached.
There is an amperage surge to start a compressor. But it is quickly brought back to steady state. The 5 minute "break" from running would more than make up for it. But as the previous poster said, it's hell on the mechanical components compared to how they are designed to run.
There is an amperage surge to start a compressor. But it is quickly brought back to steady state. The 5 minute "break" from running would more than make up for it. But as the previous poster said, it's hell on the mechanical components compared to how they are designed to run.
Posted on 8/2/16 at 12:08 pm to Brazos
quote:
Your AC running all day or for it to run for 5 minutes then kick off then run again for 5 minutes etc. I've read that kicking on and off will use more energy than it just running.
I'm not an A/C expert, but from the things I've learned.... If your A/C is cycling on and off every 5 minutes, one...not good for compressor, two...your A/C system is not sized big enough to efficiently maintain the temperature you desire. All of that, and/or basically your insulation in the house sucks and is lacking.
Posted on 8/2/16 at 12:08 pm to KG6
I wish my thermostat let me set an on and off temp, rather than just a desired temp.
Posted on 8/2/16 at 12:09 pm to Brazos
C.) turning on the fans and opening the windows
Posted on 8/2/16 at 12:09 pm to slackster
I don't know. I've read one time to look at it like a car driving city miles, the stop and go consumes more gas.
Posted on 8/2/16 at 12:10 pm to Brazos
it will draw more amps when the compressor kick on then once its running on a standard A/C system (will be different on a variable compressor system or staged compressor system)
Posted on 8/2/16 at 12:10 pm to Brazos
Turning it off and then on every 5 or 10 minutes is the same effect as turning the thermostat to higher degree setting. Either you are cycling it or the thermostat is. Short cycling is when you turn it off and turn it right back on but you have pressure switches that will not let the compressor come on until the PSI's stabilize.
Posted on 8/2/16 at 12:13 pm to Brazos
quote:
That's what I thought. I guess I should just bump it down a couple degrees so it can just run.
????
How does this relate to the original question? If you set your thermostat to 70F or 73F, your compressor is still going to turn on and off. It's designed to turn on and off in that capacity. Your thermostat should have a acceptable tolerance so that it does not cycle the unit too much. I wouldn't worry about the unit from that perspective. Again, it was definitely designed to do that. Every 5 minutes 24/7 is way more than what a typical thermostat will cycle. If yours is doing that, you may need to call someone.
Now if you are trying to conserve energy, then 73F will save you more compared to 70F. But the increased amount of cycling between those temperatures isn't something to be majorly concerned about in regards to longevity of equipment.
quote:
I don't know. I've read one time to look at it like a car driving city miles, the stop and go consumes more gas.
Not even in the same ball park as far as an analogy goes. First and foremost, that would be like saying "what uses more gas, driving a constant 50 mph, or driving 50 mph for 5 minutes and stopping for 5 minutes?" You have set no requirement for the destination. At the end of a 24 hour period, the car that stops for 5 minutes will have saved gas, but he'll be less than half the distance of the car that kept going. Just doesn't compare.
This post was edited on 8/2/16 at 12:18 pm
Posted on 8/2/16 at 12:14 pm to Brazos
try setting your temperature differential to a different setting if your thermostat has that option.
Posted on 8/2/16 at 12:15 pm to Brazos
quote:
Your AC running all day or for it to run for 5 minutes then kick off then run again for 5 minutes etc. I've read that kicking on and off will use more energy than it just running.
Is this a newer compressor with a variable frequency drive system? That greatly impacts the efficiency of the system's overall efficiency.
Also, cycling the AC will reduce the unit's ability to control humidity in the space.
Posted on 8/2/16 at 12:17 pm to Steadyhands
My AC is sized right, I know that for a fact. I just had insulation blown in my attic on top of the existing insulation. The blown insulation has helped out a lot, I got about 3-4 degrees from that. I have a a lot of Windows in this house with my living room having a wall of windows. I guess the next step is energy efficient windows but that will have to wait bc I'm not a OT baller.
Posted on 8/2/16 at 12:17 pm to Steadyhands
quote:
If your A/C is cycling on and off every 5 minutes, one...not good for compressor, two...your A/C system is not sized big enough to efficiently maintain the temperature you desire
I think you mean the unit is over-sized. Not to mention it won't dehumidify the house either, plus yes the unit starting uses more power the one already running.
Posted on 8/2/16 at 12:18 pm to Brazos
It takes energy for that bad boy to kick on and off. Its best to keep that puppy running.
Posted on 8/2/16 at 12:19 pm to Steadyhands
quote:If it only runs for 5 minutes, that means it's sized too big.
If your A/C is cycling on and off every 5 minutes...your A/C system is not sized big enough to efficiently maintain the temperature you desire.
Posted on 8/2/16 at 12:19 pm to Kajungee
quote:
plus yes the unit starting uses more power the one already running.
Sure, but does it save more power than it consumes when it is off for 5 minutes? I genuinely don't know, but I'd think that 5 minutes of no power consumption is > the increased power consumption every time it starts up.
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