Ever wondered how long can you leave a window air conditioner running? Learning the running time of your AC, along with other maintenance tips, is crucial. This positively impacts not just the working condition of the unit but also its lifespan.
In this article, you will know whether running your window AC all day long is recommended or not. You will also gain an understanding of the consequences of leaving your AC working throughout the day. Along the way, we will include some tips on how to maintain your unit.
How Long Can a Window Air Conditioner Run Continuously?
Basically, a window air conditioner is designed to work 24 hours a day. This statement, however, is debatable as there are a lot of things to factor in when owning an AC unit. These include proper usage, age of the unit, and environmental effects, among others.
So, the next question would be, is it safe to run your window air conditioner 24/7? While the major mechanisms of an AC are suited to run all day long, it may be best to reconsider your options accordingly.
There are several downsides of using the unit without break, and this has been backed up by several HVAC sites, including HVACseer and HVAC Guides 101. To guide you, below are some of the main reasons why using the window AC all day is not advisable.
1. It causes potential danger, especially if left unattended.
If you are at home, you can easily keep an eye on the AC unit. However, things may not be the same if you leave your house. You’ll never know what might happen if you are away―there may be a faulty component that could lead to fire or perhaps bad weather that may cause damage to your unit.
Whatever it is, try to turn your AC off if you go out to avoid accidents. Meanwhile, if you own a modern window AC, chances are, you may be able to control it using a smart thermostat. This is a great investment if you want to operate the unit even in your workplace or from a faraway location.
The digital thermostat allows you to turn on/off your AC, change fan speeds, modify the operating modes, and such. If you master the settings and all other cool features of your thermostat, this can optimize the performance of your unit and even help in the reduction of your utility bills.
If you want to invest in a good digital thermostat, make sure you learn the technicalities beforehand. There are several YouTube videos that explain everything you need to know about these tools, so do your research diligently.
2. It strains the power grid tremendously.
There’s a higher possibility of strain on the power grid if all window AC units in one household are running nonstop. And if the usage of the AC systems is at high power, this may trip the circuit breaker, which can further lead to a power outage.
Aside from these, running all units simultaneously at high power can also negatively impact the compressor. This is generally true for air conditioners that are way past their working years. Older air units are associated with wear and tear, leading to major damage to the HVAC system.
3. It consumes higher energy.
Window air conditioners that run without break easily achieve the desired temperature you set on the thermostat. Once it reaches the expected temperature, the thermostat signals the unit to pipe down. Unfortunately, if this process happens frequently, it can result in the tripping of the air conditioner.
Accordingly, when the unit switches between running and tripping (start-stop activity or short cycling) at a high speed, it takes up more energy. This is where your utility bills start to increase because of the disturbances in the refrigeration cycle.
In normal cases, your unit should run at a full speed instead of a start-stop scenario. Short cycling is one of the major AC problems that could potentially harm the HVAC system. Therefore, it’s suggested that you turn off the unit if it’s not in use.
In addition, you have to make sure that the thermostat is working properly. Try to program it where the unit automatically turns off once the optimal temperature has been reached.
And if your bill is still high even with the lesser hours of usage, it’s highly recommended to get help from an HVAC professional. There could be an underlying cause that resulted in the higher consumption of energy such as low refrigerant, dirty air filters, duct leaks, failing parts, or even bad installation.
4. It may not be effective in terms of indoor air dehumidification.
Aside from cooling the room, air conditioners dehumidify indoor air by completing the refrigerant cycle. This cycle takes place when the system acquires the hot air inside the room and then courses through the condenser. From there, it rejects the heated refrigerant outside.
During the process, the unit absorbs moisture from the room and dehumidifies it. This is one of the major functions of the HVAC system as it minimizes the contamination of the air quality inside your home. It reduces the growth of allergens as well as eliminates unwanted odor caused by damp areas.
Meanwhile, if you continuously run your window air conditioner, the unit could not efficiently complete the process, or simply there is short cycle. Generally, air conditioners work at the most optimum level when run in intermittent intervals.
Another thing to take note of is that nonstop usage could lead to dirty AC components, especially the air filter. A dirty air filter restricts the airflow and builds up allergen, which could potentially lead to respiratory problems.
5. It poses danger to the environment.
Yes, air conditioners are downright valuable, especially during hot summer nights. Unfortunately, these useful units are terrible for the environment. So, if you’ve been running your units around the clock, this might be the best time to reassess your actions.
An air conditioner is fueled by electricity and it utilizes a harmful chemical compound called refrigerant. This working fluid then produces a byproduct of gas emissions that are destructive to the planet. And if there are refrigerant leaks, this could post damage not just to the environment but also to your health.
With these circumstances at hand, this doesn’t mean that using air conditioners is such a bad thing. All you have to do is be practical. Turn off the unit if the desired temperature has already been achieved. You may think that your actions are insignificant, but every little effort goes a long way.
In fact, based on the 2013 study listed in the American Journal of Engineering Research, a 1.5-ton air conditioner that runs all day releases 5344g of carbon. On the contrary, a unit that only works for 8 hours emits 222g of carbon. Now, you see the vast difference when you only use your AC when needed.
Your simple actions save energy and help reduce the total emissions of carbon dioxide into the air, which could lead to 117 million metric tons every year, according to the US Department of Energy. The risk is still there, but it is much lower.
6. It shortens the lifespan of the unit.
Using your air conditioner nonstop has a notable effect on its lifespan. Basically, window air conditioning units may last for 10 to 25 years, depending on the brand and your usage. This age range, however, could be shortened due to improper handling and irregular maintenance.
As you use the unit relentlessly without any break, this causes wear and tear on the components, especially the compressor, condenser coil, evaporator coil, and expansion valve. Therefore, if you want to maximize the working life of your unit, you need to be mindful of the frequency of its usage.
Regular tune-ups and annual professional maintenance are also crucial when owning any kind of air conditioner. These help in ensuring optimal performance as well as the longevity of the equipment.
The Bottom Line
Now that you have discovered the different factors that make it less possible to run the window air conditioners all day long, it’s up to you to make the decision. While AC units can generally work 24 hours a day, it’s very important to consider the circumstance that you are in. These include the following:
- The current situation―if no one oversees the unit, this can be very risky.
- The working condition―if all units run simultaneously at a full speed, this can cause a power outage.
- The financial aspect―if the unit’s working cycle is frequently disrupted, it increases the energy consumption, hence higher the utility bills.
- The health impact―if the unit is used for a long time without proper maintenance, it can lead to health problems.
- The environment―if the unit is running without stop, it can emit higher carbon dioxide.
- The lifespan―if the unit runs incessantly, it minimizes its working years.
So, is leaving your window air conditioner running all the day long worth it? Weigh in the options that play a huge role in the performance and longevity of your unit. If you have further questions, let us know and we’ll be sure to help you as much as we can.
I have COPD and run my AC 24/7 unless it drops below 70 outside and even in the winter I have it running most of the tlme. I live in an apt. I’ve been here 5 yrs. and had 2 new ones put in because they stop cooling. I clean the filter the second I see the light. The unit is an LG not sure of the BTU wall unit. Small unit. How many hours should it last? It has to be cool or I can’t breathe.
I am always thoughtful about when to turn on my AC and for how long. I am aware of environmental concerns and it has to get pretty warm before I will go to my AC over my fan. We recently had a strange weather event in my area where temps were 110 to 118 for a couple days which is unheard of where I live. At these temps I had thought for just one entire night could I run my AC safely as the overnight low was 88 and this was at 5am. I asked the internet and this site pulled up and the tone was poop, truly and dearly poop. I was asking a simple question I did not need a lecture. That said I think the author had good intentions somewhere in this message.
Inland SoCal we run the ac 25/8 6 months a year. #bakersfieldCApride 110Degrees kiss my glass you fog breathing hypocrites lol lol
If it’s so hot you needtorun it temporarily 24/7 to get through a heat spell, it’s okay to do that. If you live where it’s 85 degrees and you can open a window at night, more power to you. Don’t waist energy, and don’t be a earth devouring tennis-playing Montypython blancmange but the window units, when used to cool small concentrated areas of the house, and if only those rooms are needing cooling,are much more friendly than running an entire central ac unit, and running it for 8-9 hours during a temp peak period each day and shutting it down when it cools down at night and during less extreme normal days is something you should not feel guilty about.
Hi Anna, my name is Patti K Welder, and I live in South Texas. After reading your comment I can only assume you live up north or in Canada, as it has been having unreal hot temperatures like we have down here all the time. I am disabled I suffer from acute chronic pain I fell off a 100 foot cliff 33 years ago and broke 28 bones in my body From the neck down. 15 years ago we used to have central AC and our bill was seven to $800 a month. When it went out we switch to window units, we have a small medium size in the living room one in my bedroom/office which is fairly small and one in my husbands bathroom which is fairly small. They are in expensive they’re only $200, as they need replacing every 2 to 3 years but our bill is now only $200 plus a little maybe give or take. How well I understand the hot weather you have been going through, but thankfully you did not get the humidity like we have down here So close to the Gulf of Mexico. And needless to say I live in chronic pain that this humidity and pressure constantly changing just makes my body throb, I can’t begin to tell you. But I can tell you this I run my air conditioner full-time at about 71° for the simple fact if you turn it off for 10 minutes you’re up to 85 or 90° just inside the house, and that really sucks. I am 62 years old now so I’m currently writing the true story of my Texas dynasty! You will know when it’s out for sure as it will be well advertised. You can always find me on Facebook if you do social media Patti Welder in Victoria Texas. And you can always Google our family that is how well known our family is in the dynasty that I come from and I’m the only one left alive now so all I can tell you, My family is so scandalous that I sweat bullets with my air conditioner on lol, and never go hot! And I did have found sometimes I put a fan in front of my ax unit just in case, When you get my age you sleep a little harder sometimes! You take care and you run that unit whenever you’re hot! Creature comfort is definitely something the human body needs,, an AC is part of that. I hope your weather stables out soon, as we are always on the watch for hurricanes where I live. Take care and God bless sincerely Patti, from Texas❤️👸🏻
My air conditioner runs for a total of 10-12 hours. It has been going on in the same way for 6 long years. The device did not have any problems. My question is, can there be any problem if it is running too much?
Absolutely! No part inside the air conditioner will get too hot and melt if you keep it running all day. The performance of the air conditioner, too, won’t suffer if you forget to turn it off.
I have had several 100 + days, my frigidaire 15100 window unit runs most of the day with air coming out at 40 degrees. My electricity per day is just over $ 4. I figure thats about $ 1 every six hrs that includes a fridge, on-demand water heater, tv on most of the day, computer, wi-fi and lights. my place is about 900 sq ft. with utility room and a walk-in closet doors closed. I do live alone and am retired Seems like I should be really happy with that 40-degree output, that is some serious cooling. I spend more on wi-fi and youtube tv than electricity. Also when I run errands I leave the A/C runing, I think this is the 8th summer with this $400 a/c unit.
Hello! Generally, we used to leave AC running the whole day long, no matter how much we are using it, whether we need it or not. Thanks for the advice and effects that can be caused by using the AC for a long time. This blog is very helpful in saving our money. Thanks and keep posting.