One of the most common questions we get here at Hydes is, “How long does it take for my air conditioner to cool my home?”
The truth is, this is a very complicated question and the best answer we can give is that it depends on a number of different factors. Today we’re going to talk about the different variables that affect the cooling process so that you can have a better idea of why your air conditioner takes as long as it does to cool your home.
Lowering your thermostat will not speed up cooling time.
Before we talk about the different factors that affect how long it takes to cool your home, we want to address a common misconception.
Some people think that they can cool their homes faster by setting their thermostats lower than usual. The truth is your home will cool at the same rate no matter how low you set your thermostat, so it’s best to keep your thermostat at your desired temperature setting in order to avoid unnecessary energy consumption.
Factors that affect how long it takes to cool your home
- Heat and humidity outside. The higher the heat and humidity levels outside, the longer it will take for your air conditioner to cool your home.
- Size of your home. In general, larger homes take a longer time to cool because your air conditioner will have more square footage to provide cooling for. That’s why larger homes are equipped with larger-capacity air conditioners to minimize this problem.
- Orientation of your home. Homes that face the south or west typically take longer to cool than homes that face the north or east. That’s because homes that face the south or west get more heat from sun exposure during the summertime than homes that face in other directions. This is another factor that’s taken into account when sizing your home’s air conditioner.
- Size of your air conditioner. Air conditioners with larger cooling capacities are able to cool homes faster than units with smaller cooling capacities. Does that mean you should install the largest air conditioner you can find? No, because oversized air conditioners cycle on-and-off too frequently and often result in comfort problems and system breakdowns.
- Heat sources inside your home. Heat from things like electronics, lights, people and appliances will raise your home’s temperature and increase the amount of time it takes to cool your home.
- Air leaks and insulation levels. Air leaks and insufficient insulation will allow heat into your home and cool air to escape outside, which will increase your air conditioner’s cooling time. The better your home can resist the flow of heat, the shorter the cooling process will be.
If you have any questions about how long it takes for your air conditioner to cool your home, or if you’d like a cooling system serviced or installed, contact Hydes, your Coachella Valley air conditioning company.
