It may seem like a waste of electricity to run the air conditioner while you’re out of the house, but experts say the practice can sometimes save energy and cooling costs. So instead of turning the AC off completely and making the machine work harder when you return, it’s better to keep it running at a higher temperature setting, which can help keep a steady indoor temperature, especially during extreme summer heat.
The idea challenges the common belief that switching off appliances whenever they are not needed is always the cheapest option. In some situations, avoiding repeated cooling cycles may put less pressure on the AC and improve efficiency .
