Finding the right temperature for your AC is important for both your wallet and your comfort. Still, given the extreme summer temperatures in Arizona, it can be hard not to go overboard with the thermostat setting since you always want the room temperature to be just the right kind of cool. So, then, at what temperature should your AC be set?

Whether it’s summer or winter, you just can’t function without your AC unit. That is why we’re here to deliver top-notch AC installation in Scottsdale, AZ and provide you with all the AC-related information you might need. Read on!

What should you set your thermostat at in the winter?

Winters in Arizona are mild, but you still don’t want to be chilly when you’re lounging in your living room. But if you want to be smart about savings, you should set your thermostat to 68°F during the day and lower your temperature settings while you’re sleeping or away by 10-15 degrees.

Why you should lower your AC temperature during winter

Lowering your thermostat settings can save you money in the winter, plain and simple. If you lower your temperature 7°–10° for 8 hours a day from your desired setting while you’re not home, you could save approximately 10% a year, according to the U.S Department of Energy. What’s more, your energy bills will be lower in mild climates if you do this, which is perfect for the winter time in Arizona.

Get a programmable thermostat

If you don’t want to worry about forgetting to set your thermostat and waking up to an uncomfortable temperature, you should think about purchasing a programmable thermostat. This way, you can preset weekly, weekend or vacation temperature schedules and save even more money.

At what temperature does air conditioning stop working?

In extreme temperatures, many homeowners start to notice that their AC is not cooling as well as it used to. Your AC unit may have a hard time when outside temperatures climb to 100°F because it needs outside temperatures to be lower than the heat released from the unit in order to work properly. Why does this happen?

Well, your air conditioner is simply not designed to work as well in extreme temperatures. In order to perform optimally in average temperatures, a typical AC is designed to be slightly less efficient in the extremes. This is why you’ll notice that you’re able to cool your home only to 80° when it’s 100° outside while your unit is usually capable of easily lowering the temperature to 70º.

However, there’s a problem here. How can you know whether your AC is less efficient because of the heat or if  there’s a problem with your AC compressor?

Here are some tips:

• If you notice that your AC starts to work better during the night or early in the morning when it’s cooler outside, the problem is probably just the extreme temperature.
• If your system manages to reach a temperature which is 20° lower than outside, it’s most likely working as well as it can in the extremes. If it is less efficient than this, you might be facing a symptom of a faulty AC compressor.
• If you notice any other issues with the unit, such as leaks or strange noises, you probably need to have your AC serviced.

What should my AC be set at in summer?

Given the extreme Arizona heat, your AC unit is surely working at full speed during the summer months. Not only is this expensive, but it can also damage your AC system if you’re not smart about it. Luckily, we’ve already covered the recommendations for winter since similar principles apply here as well.

Set your thermostat to a slightly higher temperature

Just as you would lower your temperature settings in winter, you should bump the number up a little in summer if you want to save energy. This is because your AC uses up a lot of energy if it has to maintain a much lower interior temperature.

Moreover, if you set a higher temperature, you’ll slow down the flow of heat into the house. This is why you should raise your thermostat setting to around 75-80° if the outside temp is 100° and you’ll notice a significant difference in your energy bills.  

Program your thermostat

If you have a programmable thermostat, you’ll be able to set higher temperatures while you’re away and cool down the house when you return. If you spend 8 hours away from home every day, you’ll actually save more if you leave your AC running at a higher setting than if you turn it off. You’ll also find it easier to cool down if you don’t let the house overheat while you’re away.

Get superb AC installation services in Scottsdale, Arizona   

When you know how to use your AC wisely, the summer heat won’t bother you at all. You won’t even need to cool down at the McDowell Mountain Ranch Aquatic & Fitness Center every day since the temperature at your home will be perfectly pleasant and you won’t waste a dime.  

If you live in Scottsdale and you’re thinking of getting a new air conditioner, we have just what you need. Count on the expert technicians at Hughes Air to install your AC swiftly, efficiently and professionally. Call us today and see why our experienced technicians are the best in the area!

It’s unthinkable to live in Arizona without a functioning AC. Yet, no matter how bad of a situation it is, it’s one which happens all too often. If this scenario has happened to you, you must be wondering what caused your AC to stop working and what you can do about it.

Thankfully, your air conditioning will run smoothly before you know it if you entrust your AC issues to the best air conditioning repair service in Scottsdale. Before we can fix your AC, it’s necessary to understand the underlying causes which might be to blame.

What causes an AC compressor to stop working?

Since most AC failures have to do with malfunctions of the AC compressor, it is important to know what this vital part actually is and learn about some common causes for AC compressor issues.  

What is the AC compressor?

The AC compressor, often referred to as the heart of the air conditioning system, is a pump which pressurizes the refrigerant and circulates it through the AC unit within a refrigeration cycle. Without the gaseous refrigerant, the compressor and the entire AC unit can malfunction.

Common causes of AC compressor failures

Since the AC compressor is a vital component of the system, any issues related to it can be serious and possibly a nightmare to repair. Luckily, not all compressor problems are costly and irreparable. Most are preventable with correct maintenance which includes cleaning or replacing air filters, coils and choosing appropriate temperatures for your AC during summer and winter.

Here are some of the most common causes of compressor failure:

• Clogged or dirty filters
• Dirty coils
• Clogged suction lines
• Insufficient oil lubricant
• Too much or too little refrigerant
• Broken refrigerant lines
• Electrical issues

How do I know if my home AC compressor is bad?

Your AC unit will generally show early signs and symptoms of a bad AC compressor before a more serious failure occurs. If you notice and act on these early hints, your chances to prevent compressor malfunctions will be much greater.

Some of the signs are easier to spot than others, but all of them can indicate potential compressor failures which can be prevented with these early steps.

Abnormal noises

Keep an ear out for any strange noises since they might indicate a problem with the compressor. If you don’t hear your compressor and fan running smoothly, but instead notice knocking, chattering or hissing noises coming out of the unit, your AC might be experiencing issues with a worn compressor motor, a refrigerant leak or the electrical relay switch.

Cool or lukewarm air from the outdoor unit

Cold air coming from the compressor fan is another sign of a possible failure. Although the AC is meant to cool your home, the compressor, located in the outdoor AC unit, creates heat in order to do this since it’s main job is to compress gas. So, if you notice that the air coming out is lukewarm or cool, your compressor might be malfunctioning.

Higher electricity bill

Unless you’ve been using your AC unit more in the summer season, a higher electricity bill might signal a fault with the compressor. A worn compressor runs longer and slows down the AC unit resulting in a higher than normal utility bill.

Reduced airflow

This one is a bit more hard to spot even though it is one of the first symptoms you’d be able to notice. If your compressor is weak or worn, you’ll find that less cool air is coming out of your vents since the malfunction is causing less cool air to be generated.

Find exceptional air conditioning repair in Scottsdale, AZ

We know that you just can’t imagine a summer in Arizona without your trusted AC. Sure, in this worst case scenario, you could cool off at Cactus Aquatic & Fitness Center. Still, why endure the nightmare longer than a minute when you can rely on Hughes Air Heating & Cooling to get your AC fixed in no time.

Our seasoned technicians employ utmost professionalism to install, maintain and repair your AC units to keep them fully operational throughout the year. Reach out to us today and see why we’re the best HVAC service in Scottsdale!