Setting the Temperature Too Low Could Be Ruining Your Air Conditioner

Are there times during the summer that you set your air conditioning temperature too low to cool your home faster? While doing so can offer immediate relief from the heat and discomfort, it could be slowly killing your air conditioner. Setting the temperature too low will not cool your home any faster than the standard setting, but it could have dire consequences on the efficiency and performance of your AC. The next time you get home and feel like setting your AC to the lowest temperature possible, have the following things in mind.

AC is running speed basics

Air conditioners are made of motors which work to dispense cold air into the room depending on the set temperature. For example, if the temperatures in the home are 28˚, and you set the AC to 25˚, the motor will work at a particular speed to lower the temperatures. If you set the temperatures to 20˚, the motor will still work at the same speed, but this time, it will be forced to work harder to lower the temperatures to 20˚, which is quite lower than what most people would need to feel comfortable. Eventually, your AC will start working inefficiently if the motors are constantly forced to work hard to maintain low temperatures in the home.

Effects of low temperature settings

If you get used to setting your AC at very low temperatures in the hope of cooling your home faster, you may begin to notice the following issues with your air conditioning unit.

• Increased energy consumption

When the AC is forced to work harder to lower temperatures, it begins to draw more energy to achieve this. Also, once you set the temperatures too low, you will have to adjust the AC to a high setting once the air becomes cold. The constant adjustments to the AC lead to energy wastage, and this can significantly increase your monthly energy bills.

• Frequent breakdowns

AC components that don't cool enough can be a problem, but so are those that overcool during operation. Overcooling can occur when the temperature on the AC is set too low. When this happens, the cooling components and other vital components in the unit may begin to wear and fail eventually.

• Reduced usable life

Inefficiency and frequent repairs are usually responsible for shortening the lifespan of most AC units. You may find yourself replacing your AC components sooner than you should even when it's a good quality unit. Eventually, you will be forced to ditch the entire unit and get a new one.

Air conditioning units make the indoor environment bearable during the summer. However, you should allow your AC to cool your home to the normal temperatures without forcing it to work harder, as this could end up costing you dearly.