Usually, the cooling (and heating!) questions people ask us are about what to do in terribly hot (or cold!) weather conditions! But occasionally we do get the question, “What do you do with your A/C when the weather is ‘perfect’?”
Well, the answer to that question depends on a few factors. For example, you might be wondering if it’s a good idea to just turn your air conditioner off completely, and save a few bucks when the weather is mild.
Generally speaking, it’s not a good idea to turn your A/C off and on frequently. This can put unnecessary wear and tear on the system and shorten its lifespan. So, if you know that the weather is going to be mild for an extended period of time, it’s probably best to keep your A/C on but set it to a higher temperature than you normally would (so that it doesn’t kick on as often).
Another problem with turning the A/C off completely is the fact that, as we are all aware, Raleigh is very humid! Our late summer – early fall months can be the most humid, with August taking the cake at 78% average daily humidity, and September not far behind, at 77%! Our late summer – early spring is when it’s least humid. So, there’s really no time of year here in Raleigh where the stars align with great, mild weather, AND low humidity, to produce a climate that truly doesn’t need any air conditioner running.
After all, as you probably know (or, even if you don’t, you’ve still certainly benefited from it!), air conditioners also serve to dehumidify the air by removing moisture from it as it cools. In fact, that was the original purpose of A/C, when it was invented by Willis Carrier in 1902. (He needed a solution to stop humidity from making ink runny in his publishing factory.)
In short, the best thing you can do for your A/C, and for your home’s indoor air quality, is to keep it running all year long! We know that sounds “easy for us to say,” but the fact is, your home is equipped with an HVAC system (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) for a reason. It’s there to keep you comfortable all year long, and to keep your home in good condition, without the effects of indoor humidity. Your A/C system can do a much better job of that if it’s used on a regular basis, rather than being turned off and on frequently.
If you have any questions at all about your air conditioner this September, you can always count on Weather Master for your answers! Give Weather Master a call anytime at (919) 853-7910, and we’ll be happy to help you in your Raleigh home.