How Many Hours Should An AC Run Per Day In Texas?

Texas AC Efficiency

Texas summers are no joke, and can even be dangerous in some instances. With temperatures often soaring into the triple digits in the Seguin area, your air conditioner has to work hard just to keep things comfortable indoors.

Here at Lonestar Air Services, Seguin homeowners often ask, “How many hours should my AC run per day?” Unfortunately, the answer isn’t a simple one and will depend on a few different factors. Thankfully, we’re here to walk you through what’s normal, what’s not, and what you can do to keep your system running efficiently.

What’s A Normal AC Run Time In Texas?

During the heart of the Texas summer, it’s not uncommon for your AC to run anywhere from 12 to 16 hours a day. On even hotter days, you may even run the unit for longer. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that something is wrong. That just may be what’s needed to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.

Air conditioners cycle, or run, based on the conditions around them. This includes:

• Outside temperature
• Thermostat setting
• Insulation in the home
• Size, age, and condition of the unit
• How well maintained the ductwork and filters are

There’s no clear-cut answer to “how often should my AC cycle?” or “how long should an AC run before shutting off?” During periods of hot weather, your AC unit may run every 15 or so minutes — or even run continuously for a few hours. This may seem alarming, but as long as it’s effectively cooling your home and your energy bills aren’t spiking too much, it’s probably not a concern.

How Long Should It Take To Cool My House?

Another question that’s often asked is, “How long should an air conditioner take to cool house?” A central air conditioning system that’s functioning properly should cool a home one degree every 15 to 20 minutes. Keep in mind that this can vary depending on several factors, including the size of your home. If your AC unit is taking longer than 20 minutes, then you may want to schedule a maintenance check.

Signs Your AC May Be Overworking

While an AC unit that runs a long time can be a normal occurrence during extreme heat, there are some signs to keep an eye out for that may point to a problem:

• Your cooling bill suddenly jumps higher than expected.
• The AC unit never seems to shut off.
• The air conditioner turns on and off rapidly, which is known as short cycling.
• Some rooms won’t get cool no matter how long the AC unit runs.

Here at Lonestar Air Services, we take pride in trusted diagnostics and quality service. As a veteran-owned business with a skilled team, we don’t push unnecessary repairs, and we treat every home like it’s our own.

Tips To Reduce AC Run Time

While you can’t change the Texas heat, there are some things you can do to help your system run more efficiently:

• Keep the thermostat at 76 to 78 degrees when you’re not home.
• Use ceiling fans to help circulate the air.
• Regularly replace air filters.
• Weatherproof your windows and doors to help prevent air leaks.
• Schedule seasonal maintenance to help catch issues before they become expensive problems.

Lonestar Air Is Here To Keep You Comfortable

If you’re asking yourself, “how long should an AC run before shutting off?” or wondering, “how often should my AC cycle?”, you’re not alone. These are common concerns that affect Seguin, TX, homeowners, and Lonestar Air Services is here to give you straight answers and real solutions.

Schedule your next service and let us help you stay cool and comfortable, all season long.