How Long To Cool a House From 80 To 72 Degrees?

If you’ve ever experienced a failure of your air conditioning system, then you know how uncomfortable a hot house can be. Plus, when you finally do get your unit up and running again, you still have to wait for things to cool down.

The average air conditioning unit takes about three hours to cool a moderately-sized home roughly ten degrees. Of course, this number can vary depending on things like square footage, outside temperature, and the efficiency of your A/C unit. To cool a house from 80 to 72 degrees, the average A/C would need about 2.5 hours.

It’s never fun when your A/C is being finicky, but it can be especially brutal during the summer months. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to give your unit a bit of a helping hand.

Your house can take a while to cool down for a number of reasons. If your unit has been off, it’s natural for it to take some time to cool your house.

The next thing to consider is the outside temperature, specifically if it’s hotter than normal. When your air conditioner has to battle against intense outdoor heat, it needs to put up a bit of a fight.

If your A/C is only reading a few degrees above its setting, it’s probably working fine (just harder). The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) calculated what they call “design temperatures” for different cities.

These numbers represent the average temperature range that a city experiences about 99% of the time. When temps surpass the high number air conditioners won’t operate as efficiently.

The good news in this situation is your air conditioner is most likely operating perfectly fine. Still, when it’s that hot outside, you want your house to be as cool as possible. So, what can you do?

Of course, high temperatures aren’t always the cause of a struggling A/C. If your house is getting you hot-and-bothered, and the outside temps are normal, then something else is amiss.

It is possible that your refrigerant levels are low, which would most likely point to a leak. Refrigerant is designed to absorb heat, and if it’s leaking it can’t do its job. You need to call a professional to locate and repair the leak and recharge your system.

Another possibility is that your unit is too small for your home. An HVAC professional will perform extensive calculations to determine the right-sized unit for your house.

These calculations go far beyond your home’s square footage, considering additional factors like windows, orientation, and insulation.

An easy problem to fix is that your air filter could simply need to be replaced. A dirty air filter reduces the amount of air that your system pulls in, making it hard to keep things cool.

There are numerous types of air filters on the market ranging from simple to very elaborate. While certain filters offer extra assistance with things like allergens and dust, not all air conditioners can handle all filters.

The most important things to consider are the filter size and the MERV rating. The MERV rating is a number between 1 and 13 that indicates how well a filter removes contaminants from the air.

However, the higher the MERV rating, the denser the filter, which means it could potentially even block airflow. This is why it is important to know what MERV-rating your unit can support.

Most newer units can accept a MERV-rating of up to 8 but check your specific unit before purchasing a filter. You also need the appropriate size filter for your return, otherwise, dust and contaminants can pass directly into your unit. When these elements get into your system, they can shorten your unit’s overall lifespan.

One big factor that is sometimes overlooked when it comes to an inefficient A/C unit is the ductwork. Many people jump to the conclusion that if their air conditioner is broken, they just need to get a new one.

While you definitely need to replace a broken A/C, this alone might not solve your problem. Ductwork plays a large role in how efficiently your home is cooled.

If you have leaky ducts, then you could potentially be losing between 20% to 30% of your cool air. Cool air escapes through leaks into places like the attic, instead of flowing directly to where you need it.

If it is determined that you need a new air conditioner, consult with an HVAC professional. An expert should inspect your entire system, including ductwork, in order to pinpoint your exact issues.

Based on his assessment, your HVAC pro will make recommendations of what you need to do to properly and efficiently cool your home.

Depending on several factors, you can expect to pay anywhere from $3,000 to upward of $20,000. The price depends on your home size, type of unit, and if you need all new ductwork, among other things.

You might think that getting a larger unit than necessary will make your A/C work better. However, installing a unit that is too small or too large will actually create an inefficient system.

It’s important to get the proper size unit for your home, which is why you want a trusted expert to assess your house. You may have heard A/C units referred to as 1.5-ton or 18,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units).

At a quick glance, you can estimate what size unit you will need based on your home’s square footage. For example, a 2,000 square foot home might need a 3.5-ton unit, compared to a 1,500 square foot home that needs a 3-ton unit.

However, there are many other factors that need to be considered, including the region you live in and average temperatures. Therefore, it is in your best interest to get the recommendation of a professional.

Note: Don’t just assume you need to replace your existing unit with the same size. It might have not been the right fit for your home in the first place!

If your A/C doesn’t seem to be doing its job, don’t immediately think the worst. There could be several reasons your unit is running a little hot.

It’s normal for an A/C to run a little higher than its setting when outdoor temps are intense. If a unit has been off for a while, it’ll take about 2 to 3 hours until you feel relief.

If your air conditioner needs a little extra attention, start with simple fixes, and call in a pro if necessary. Whatever you do, stay calm and don’t lose your cool.