We’ve all opened our windows on a cool fall day and enjoyed the fresh air flowing into our homes without even thinking twice about switching our AC off before doing so. But is this a bad thing? In a short answer – yes. It is not ideal nor recommended to have your windows open while running your air conditioner, as this creates an opportunity for the cool air already inside your home to escape out, decreasing the overall energy efficiency of your HVAC unit.
Not only does having the window open while running your AC affect the efficiency of your system, but there are other negative effects of doing this as well. Your reliable AC repair company, Champion AC, has some helpful tips on why you shouldn’t leave your windows open with the air conditioner on even when it’s cool outside.
Indoor Air Quality
Opening the windows to your home allows outside dirt, dust and pollutants to make their way indoors and ultimately become sucked in through your ventilation system when it’s running. These impurities can potentially build up onto the system’s coils over time which creates a barrier that prevents them from working properly. This leads to increased wear and tear on your air conditioner and makes it work harder to achieve the desired set temperature and can ultimately diminish your indoor air quality (IAQ).
Making Your AC Work Harder
Also, keeping your windows or doors open while you have cool air running inside is harmful to your system for various reasons. Your AC has to work extra hard and burn more energy to keep up with the constant loss of cool air it’s producing, causing it to be less efficient and potentially putting a strain on your unit.
Long-term strain on your HVAC system can cause many negative effects like higher energy bills, more frequent repairs or even premature failure. This is why it’s important to know how to best prevent unnecessary damage to your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system for the best chances of maximizing its lifespan.
Keeping Your Home Cool
There are a lot of different ways to keep the inside of your home cool without wasting energy and overworking your air conditioner. Some of the most common are:
- Shutting window blinds during the day
- Powering ceiling fans
- Avoiding frequently opening exterior doors
- Properly sealing gaps in exterior doors
- Purchasing blackout curtains
You can always turn your system off and then choose to open your windows if you need to air out your home for any reason or just really want to enjoy some fresh air indoors. Just keep in mind that the higher the temperature becomes inside your home, the more energy and work it will take for your unit to cool it back down.
San Antonio Air Conditioner Services
It’s tempting to open your windows when wanting to enjoy the beautiful outdoor weather from the comfort of your own home, but this has consequences for your HVAC system that you may not have originally realized. Thankfully, our team of expert technicians at Champion AC has got your back! We understand that with the right knowledge and resources, anyone can make responsible and educated decisions about their heating and cooling system.
Contact us today for your AC maintenance or repair needs!
