Air conditioning units have come a long way over the years. These days, you don’t really need to tinker with the settings too much in the long run. Instead, you can simply leave the unit on “Auto” and go about your day while the system does all the work.
The “Auto” setting is great, but like most things in life, it’s not perfect. In fact, there are certain situations where leaving your AC on “Auto” may actually be a bad idea. By paying attention to the specific conditions in your home, you can figure out the optimal setting for your air conditioning and influence its effectiveness in a substantial way.
Let's dive in and find out
what the best AC setting in your home might be, and why it may not always be “Auto.”
What’s the Difference Between “On” and “Auto” Anyway?
First, let’s look at the key differences between the “On” and “Auto” settings. “On” is exactly what you imagine it to be. The fan stays on as long as the setting does, and as a result, the air moves around more.
The more modern “Auto” mode uses the unit’s sensors to regulate and adjust the temperature and humidity levels. This helps the AC maintain steady conditions in your home. However, users who appreciate the constant air movement of the “On” setting should note that “Auto” only keeps the fan on when it needs to, a few minutes at a time.
On paper, the fact that “Auto” only cools (or heats) the room when its sensors say so makes it the more economically logical setting of the two. However, the actual difference between the two is not as big as you might assume, and may only amount to around 5% of the operational cost.
“Auto” Might Seem Like the Easy Choice, But Not Always
If you don't want to pay too much attention to your AC, it can be tempting to just leave the setting on “Auto” and be done with it. This is exactly what it’s made for, of course. But you’ll only reap its full rewards in a situation where your home itself is built for the “Auto” setting’s assumptions.
“Auto” is a good option for an ideal scenario where your home is properly insulated and holds heat according to modern standards. In many buildings, especially in San Marcos, that isn't necessarily the case. This can mean that the lack of constant fanning action with the “Auto” setting can distribute the temperature unevenly, and you will notice colder and warmer spots around the house.
The weather on any given day will also be a factor when deciding on the setting. If there are major temperature changes or a lot of humidity, the “On” setting can be a significantly better bet than “Auto.”
What About Leaving the AC On While You’re Away?
Regardless of which setting you use, you may be wary of leaving the AC running while you’re away from your home. Perhaps surprisingly,
you absolutely should leave it on. Apart from the obvious issues of returning to a hot and humid home after a long day away, keeping your AC running while you’re out and about is actually better for the system than constantly switching it on and off as you come and go.
When it’s constantly on, the AC unit keeps the temperature steady throughout the day. On the other hand, turning it off while you’re away means that the system will have to pull a straining double shift of cooling down an overheated, humid home once you return and turn it back on. In the long term, this will cause wear and tear, which can amount to more costs down the line.
