With summer travel is in full swing, it feels like I've barely spent a full week in my apartment. As a renter in Jersey City with window units, I can never decide if I should turn my AC off before I head out of town. Most people say it's more expensive to turn the AC on and off, but I also feel guilty wasting energy while traveling. I tapped an expert to find the definitive answer.
Short answer: Don't turn off your AC when you're away — but you should raise the temperature. Below, Dan DiClerico, director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, shares why you should NEVER turn your AC off and the ideal temperature to set your system while on vacation.
It's never a good idea to turn off your air conditioning (it's true, it can cost more money in the long run), but you should raise the temperature when you're away. "A lot of people make the mistake of turning the AC on and off because they think it will save money," explains DiClerico. In reality, the system has to work harder to bring the temperature back down to a comfortable level.
"My standard advice is to set the temperature anywhere from 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit," says DiClerico. "If it's a long trip — say a week or more — you should be on the higher end of that spectrum, up around 85 degrees. If you're just going away for the weekend, you can keep it at it 80 degrees, or even 78, so that the home will be relatively comfortable when you return."
Cost aside, too much heat and humidity can actually harm your house. Not only can steamy conditions invite mold and mildew, but it can create a fire hazard — especially if appliances overheat. "If it gets sweltering hot in the home, that can take a toll on electronics and large appliances," says DiClerico. "For example, the refrigerator will have to work harder to maintain safe food-storage temperatures."
Don't worry: DiClerico assured me the same rules apply for window units. Set them to auto, if your unit has that setting (one of my ancient AC units doesn't, so I plan to set it to low on a higher temp). "Most modern window ACs have a built-in temperature sensor, so they'll cycle on and off as needed to maintain the desired temperature. Depending on the weather, it might only kick on for a few hours during the hottest time of the day."
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
