It’s a hot Texas afternoon, and you’re locking up the house to head to work—or maybe you’re packing for that long-awaited vacation—and the question hits you: Should you turn off your AC when you’re not home? You want to save money but don’t want to return to a sauna or accidentally cause damage to your home. So, what’s the right move?
Let’s break it down in real terms. Because like most things in life (and HVAC), the answer isn’t always a simple yes or no.
Why It Matters If You Turn Off Your AC When You’re Away
Turning off your AC when you’re not home might seem like a simple way to save money—but it’s not always that straightforward.
Your air conditioner does more than cool your home. It also controls humidity levels and keeps air moving. If you shut it off completely during hot Texas summers, indoor temperatures can rise quickly. That heat can put stress on your furniture, electronics, and even your walls and floors. High humidity can also lead to mold and mildew.
When you get back and turn the AC on again, your system has to work overtime to cool everything down. That sudden demand can use more energy than if you’d left it running at a higher temperature.
So while it might save a little short-term, turning it off completely can lead to higher bills, wear and tear on your system, and even damage to your home. A better option? Raise the thermostat a few degrees instead.
Should You Turn Off Your AC Before Leaving Home?
In most cases, it’s better to adjust your thermostat—not turn your AC off completely.
If you’re leaving for the day, set your thermostat 7–10 degrees higher than your usual setting. This helps reduce energy use without letting your home get too hot. For example, if you normally keep it at 72°F, bump it up to around 80–82°F while you’re gone. Your AC will run less, but your home won’t turn into an oven.
If you’re heading out for a longer trip, like a weekend or vacation, consider setting the thermostat even higher—but don’t shut it off. Keeping air flowing helps prevent humidity buildup, which can cause mold or damage over time.
Smart thermostats make this even easier. You can program temperature changes based on your schedule or adjust settings from your phone while you’re away.
Bottom line: Don’t turn your AC off. Just turn it up. That way, you protect your home and your HVAC system while still saving on energy costs.
Read more: 9 Ways to Prepare Your AC Before Vacation
What HVAC Professionals Recommend To Do
At Bacon Plumbing Heating Air Electric, our expert HVAC technicians follow a simple rule: raise the thermostat, don’t turn the system off.
Why? Because your AC doesn’t just cool—it also controls indoor humidity and keeps air moving. Shutting it off completely can cause heat and moisture to build up, which puts stress on your home’s structure, electronics, and even your health. Mold, mildew, and stale air all thrive in still, humid environments.
Instead, we recommend raising your thermostat 7–10 degrees when you’re away. This reduces energy use while still keeping your home protected. According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s programmable thermostat guide, you can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by turning your thermostat back 7°–10°F for just 8 hours a day.
Using a smart thermostat makes this even easier by allowing you to automate temperature changes based on your schedule. That means better control over comfort, humidity, and efficiency—without having to think about it.
When in doubt, remember: don’t power down your AC. Set it to run smarter, not harder.
Factors to Consider Before Turning Off Your AC
Before you decide to shut down your air conditioner while you’re away, it’s important to think through a few key factors. The right call depends on your home, your habits, and even who—or what—is staying behind.
How Long You’ll Be Away (Short trip vs. vacation)
If you’re just stepping out for the day or even overnight, there’s no need to turn off your AC. Instead, raise the thermostat 7–10 degrees to save energy while keeping your home at a safe temperature.
For longer trips, like a vacation, you can raise the temperature even more. Just don’t turn the system off completely. A hot, humid home can lead to mold, warped floors, and costly repairs. Your HVAC system may also have to work harder when you return—burning more energy than you saved.
Outdoor Temperature and Climate Zone
North Texas and Houston summers can push temperatures well over 100°F. In hotter climate zones, leaving your AC off for too long can turn your home into a heat trap. High indoor temperatures can damage wood furniture, electronics, and flooring—not to mention affect your indoor air quality.
If you live in a milder climate, you may be able to get away with setting the thermostat higher. But if it gets hot and humid where you are, your AC still needs to run occasionally to keep things balanced.
Presence of Pets or Plants at Home
Leaving a pet or houseplants behind? Then turning off the AC isn’t an option. Dogs, cats, and even certain indoor plants can suffer from overheating or extreme humidity. Make sure your thermostat is set to a safe, consistent range.
Generally, 78–80°F is a good upper limit for pets. If you’re not sure what’s safe for your specific breed or plant type, check with a vet or nursery before adjusting the settings.
House Insulation and Airflow
Well-insulated homes retain indoor temperatures more effectively, which means your AC doesn’t have to work as hard. If your home is older, poorly insulated, or has drafty windows and doors, it can heat up quickly when the AC is off.
Also consider how well your home allows for airflow. Stagnant air plus rising humidity can make the space feel hotter—and that puts your home at risk for mold growth. Leaving your AC on at a higher setting keeps the air circulating and moisture in check.
Smarter Alternatives to Turning Off the AC
You don’t have to choose between comfort and savings. Instead of shutting off your air conditioner completely, try one of these smarter, energy-efficient strategies that help protect your home while lowering your utility bills.
Raise the thermostat by 7-10 degrees
This is one of the simplest and most effective ways to save energy when you’re not home. Just increase your thermostat setting by 7–10°F from your usual comfort level. Your AC will run less often but still keep the indoor temperature from getting dangerously high.
This strategy reduces strain on your system, helps control indoor humidity, and keeps your home from overheating—all without the risks of turning your system off entirely.
Want more savings tips? Read more about how to save money on AC costs
Use Programmable or Smart Thermostat
A programmable thermostat lets you set a schedule so your home automatically adjusts temperatures throughout the day. You can raise the temp when you’re gone and cool things down before you get back.
Smart thermostats take it a step further. They learn your habits, adapt to your routine, and can be controlled from your phone. Whether you’re at work, on vacation, or just out running errands, you can keep tabs on your home’s temperature and make changes in real time.
Zoned cooling or eco-mode settings
If your home has zoned cooling, you can adjust temperatures in specific areas rather than cooling the whole house. That means you can keep only the rooms that matter comfortable—like a home office or a pet area—while saving energy in unused spaces.
Many modern AC systems and thermostats also offer eco-mode or energy-saver settings. These modes automatically optimize cooling and airflow to reduce energy use without shutting your system down completely. If your current system supports it, this is a great set-it-and-forget-it solution.
The Bottom Line: Don’t Shut It Off—Set It Smart
Turning off your AC when you’re not home might seem like a money-saver—but it can actually lead to higher energy bills, added wear on your system, and even damage to your home. The smarter move? Raise the thermostat, keep the air flowing, and let your system work efficiently.
At Bacon Plumbing Heating Air Electric, our licensed HVAC professionals are here to help you make smart choices for your home comfort and energy savings. Whether you need help installing a smart thermostat, upgrading to zoned cooling, or a routine AC tune up before the next heat wave hits—we’ve got you covered.
Want your system running smarter, not harder? Schedule an AC service or thermostat upgrade with Bacon today by calling .
