How often does your AC cycle ?

[Modelworks]

My AC in my home runs for about 10 minutes then cuts off for about 15 minutes and repeats that cycle during the day.
Its been really hot, average 98F outside without adding in the heat index.

Just wondering what other peoples ac does during the day in regards to time on/off.
I don't want to get a 300.00 light bill .

 

[SoulAssassin]

On most electronic thermostats you can adjust the temperature range before it turns on. Usually you can have it come on at +-2 or +-4 degrees so it turns off/on less. I turn the temp up to 78 or 80 when no one is home (actually the automatic thermostat does it, not me).

 

[GenHoth]

No AC FTW

 

[Modelworks]

I'm thinking I might replace the thermostat.
Its one of the old mechanical models from the 1970's.

 

[Gneisenau]

My AC hasn't shut off while I'm home for the past couple of months. Except maybe at night when I'm not awake.

 

[imported_Imp]

It hasn't cycled on once yet this summer...or the last 20 summers. Love having no AC when it hits 40C...

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Modelworks
I'm thinking I might replace the thermostat.
Its one of the old mechanical models from the 1970's.

That's a great idea.

Also, keep that mercury. It's cool stuff.

 

[FoBoT]

why would you pay attention to that? it is either too hot or too cold or just right

you adjust the thermostat based on that, who cares how often it runs , as long as you are comfortable

 

[SoulAssassin]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
why would you pay attention to that? it is either too hot or too cold or just right

you adjust the thermostat based on that, who cares how often it runs , as long as you are comfortable

It's an efficiency thing. It's better to run for 15 minutes, off for 15 then on for 5, off for 5, on for 5, etc.

 

[ElFenix]

mine cycles at 60 Hz.

 

[Linflas]

Mine runs until the temperature in the room with the thermostat reaches the set temperature. After that it kicks on whenever the temperature goes 2 degrees above the setpoint until it returns to the setpoint.

 

[Mxylplyx]

FYI, I think you want your AC to have longer cycles so it controls humidity in the home. Aside from just cooling the home, A/C's provide much of the comfort by also acting as a dehumidifier.

 

[Pepsi90919]

"light bill" ???

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Mine runs for 3-5 min and then is off for 20

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
"light bill" ???

Ok, let me explain this to the best of my ability and as PC as possible, this is a (mostly) african american saying that means your power bill.

Again, i am trying to be PC and not stereotype but this is the only group ive heard use it

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

if your AC cycles a lot, it's a sign that it is undersized. unfortunately most residential HVAC contractors don't know how to properly size equipment.

 

[danzigrules]

Originally posted by: RadiclDreamer

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
"light bill" ???

Ok, let me explain this to the best of my ability and as PC as possible, this is a (mostly) african american saying that means your power bill.

Again, i am trying to be PC and not stereotype but this is the only group ive heard use it

I'd say it is more hick than anything, I have never heard anyone other than hicks call it a light bill.


Yes, I am a hick from Indiana

 

[Squisher]

Like was said before, the sensitivity on an electronic thermostat can be set, but it usually is a semi-hidden setting that requires 2 buttons to be pushed concurrently to access this setting.

Actually, if it were the fault of being miss sized, frequent cycles would indicate an over-sized unit for the house.

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: Modelworks
I'm thinking I might replace the thermostat.
Its one of the old mechanical models from the 1970's.

That's a great idea.

Also, keep that mercury. It's cool stuff.

Not all mechanical 'stats use bimetal coils with mercury switches. The White Rogers snap action 'stat was quite popular and mercury free. It was also used widely in recreational vehicles and boats as it was immune to motion/non level operation.

However many homes indeed used the common round T87F stat with a single mercury bulb. Fun to play with but also quite fragile and subject to breakage.

I collect the older bulbs used on industrial boilers. Some of these have impressive amounts of mercury in them.

As for cycling; long run times are desired for proper dehumidification. An oversized unit will cycle frequently resulting in a higher humidity within the conditioned space and less than a desirable indoor comfort index.

Microprocessor based 'stats can protect the A/C unit's compressor from short cycling during brief utility power disruptions or butterfingers on the switches. Short cycling a small residential unit is particularly bad as PSC hermetic compressors typically do NOT have sufficient starting torque to overcome the great pressure differential at shutdown. A time delay relay (TDR) can be installed on the condensing unit or employed in the 'stat. These will prevent the condenser contactor from engaging for a predetermined amount of time. Heat pumps with a "fail to heat" reversing valve (orange wire open to red) will equalize instantly on cooling shutdown and are somewhat immune to power interruptions in the cooling cycle only.

Replacing the 'stat should be an easy job for the handy person and can be accomplished in minutes after RTFM that comes with it.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: Squisher
Like was said before, the sensitivity on an electronic thermostat can be set, but it usually is a semi-hidden setting that requires 2 buttons to be pushed concurrently to access this setting.

Actually, if it were the fault of being miss sized, frequent cycles would indicate an over-sized unit for the house.

yup, you're right...I misspoke. An undersized unit would run constantly.

 

[Aikouka]

Mine cycles quite often and doesn't have an auto-turn-on time that I can set . So it's always a bit warm when I get home and takes around 2 hours to get to a nice comfortable level. But if I leave the AC on 24/7, I get a $200 electric bill... only sometimes and I get a $70 electric bill.

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: danzigrules

Originally posted by: RadiclDreamer

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
"light bill" ???

Ok, let me explain this to the best of my ability and as PC as possible, this is a (mostly) african american saying that means your power bill.

Again, i am trying to be PC and not stereotype but this is the only group ive heard use it

I'd say it is more hick than anything, I have never heard anyone other than hicks call it a light bill.


Yes, I am a hick from Indiana

Hick from north carolina here
I'm an EE and I still call it a light bill.
Guess it was just growing up and it stuck .