Air conditioning in Buffalo Grove is a necessity during the summer months. But many homeowners wonder, how many hours a day should my air conditioner actually run? The answer depends on a range of factors, from outdoor temperatures and humidity to the efficiency of your AC unit, thermostat settings, and more.
Ravinia Plumbing, Sewer, Heating & Electric breaks down how long your AC should run in Buffalo Grove, IL, and what you can do to optimize comfort while keeping energy bills under control.
Buffalo Grove’s Summer Climate
Buffalo Grove, Illinois, and the surrounding region experience hot, humid summers that typically run from mid-June through early September. July is the warmest month, with average highs around 84°F and humidity levels that often reach 70% or more. These muggy conditions increase your AC’s workload as your system must remove both heat and moisture from the air to improve comfort and indoor air quality.
Due to this climate, it’s not unusual for air conditioning in Buffalo Grove to run 12 to 16 hours a day during peak summer months. On particularly hot or humid days, your AC might cycle more frequently or even run continuously to maintain indoor comfort.
What’s Normal: Average AC Runtime Per Day
In general:
- Mild days (70s°F, lower humidity): AC may run for 4 to 8 hours per day
- Typical summer days (80s°F, moderate humidity): Expect 8 to 14 hours of runtime
- Heatwave conditions (90s°F+, high humidity): 14 to 20+ hours, possibly continuously
Seasonal Considerations
While summer is the peak season for AC usage, Buffalo Grove also experiences spring and fall temperature swings. During May and September, your AC may only need to run 2 to 6 hours per day depending on outdoor conditions and indoor preferences.
During these shoulder seasons, make sure your system isn’t running unnecessarily. Leaving the thermostat set to “cool” can cause the cooling system to run on cooler days when opening a window would do the job.
How to Know If Your AC Is Running Too Much
There’s no “perfect” number of hours an AC should run, but these signs may indicate something is wrong:
- Constant runtime without reaching your set temperature
- Frequent short cycles (turning on and off quickly)
- Excess humidity or uneven temperatures inside
- Unusually high energy bills
These could point to issues such as poor insulation, a dirty evaporator coil, a refrigerant leak, or even an incorrectly sized system. Ravinia Plumbing offers professional diagnostics and HVAC services for air conditioning in Buffalo Grove, IL, to help identify and resolve these issues. We also provide emergency service for sudden air conditioning issues.
The Role of AC Efficiency
The age and efficiency of your air conditioner significantly affect how long it needs to run. Older units over 10 to 15 years old often have lower SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings. Newer models can have SEER ratings of 14 to 25 or higher, meaning they cool your home using far less electricity.
If your older unit is running 16+ hours a day, it may still struggle to keep up. In contrast, a newer high-efficiency system may only need 10 to 12 hours on the same day to achieve the same cooling results. That’s a big difference in both comfort and energy costs.
If your older air conditioner is struggling in the summer heat, contact us to discuss cooling system upgrades and request a free estimate.
Recommended Thermostat Settings
Your thermostat settings play a huge role in how long your AC runs. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78°F when you’re home and 85°F when you’re away during summer. While this may seem warm, every degree below 78°F increases your AC’s runtime and energy use.
For many homeowners in Buffalo Grove, IL, a more comfortable setting is around 72°F to 74°F, especially during humid spells. Just keep in mind:
- Lower settings = longer runtimes and higher bills
- Higher settings = shorter runtimes and lower bills
Smart thermostats can help by automatically adjusting settings based on occupancy, time of day, and even weather forecasts. They’re ideal for optimizing air conditioning in Buffalo Grove.
How Your Air Conditioner’s Runtime Impacts Your Electric Bills
The longer your air conditioner runs each day, the more electricity it uses, and that directly affects your monthly utility bills. While it might seem like air conditioning systems only work harder on the hottest days, even moderate daily usage can lead to high energy costs if your system runs inefficiently or too frequently.
Air conditioners consume a significant amount of power, typically between 3,000 to 5,000 watts per hour. Multiply that by several hours a day, and it’s easy to see how those kilowatt-hours add up quickly—especially during the peak of summer. For example, if your system runs for 12 hours a day at 3,500 watts, you’re using 42 kWh daily. At an average electricity rate of around 15 cents per kilowatt-hour, that’s $6.30 per day, or nearly $190 per month just for cooling.
Ultimately, the more efficiently your AC can reach and maintain your desired temperature, the less it has to run, and the lower your energy costs will be. That’s why proper maintenance from a heating and air conditioning pro, timely air conditioning repair, smart thermostat settings, and energy-efficient equipment all play a critical role in managing cooling bills for your Buffalo Grove home.
Tips to Reduce AC Runtime Without Sacrificing Comfort
If your goal is to minimize energy use while staying cool, use these strategies:
1. Upgrade to a High-Efficiency System
Modern ENERGY STAR air conditioners use up to 50% less energy than units from the 1990s. If your current system is over a decade old, upgrading could reduce runtime and utility bills significantly.
2. Use a Programmable or Smart Thermostat
Automatically adjust the temperature when you’re asleep or away to reduce unnecessary runtime. They’re a great solution to help you save money on both heating and cooling, and stay comfortable year-round.
3. Improve Home Insulation
Well-insulated attics, sealed windows, and door sweeps prevent cooled air from escaping, allowing air conditioning systems to cycle less often.
4. Close Blinds and Curtains
Blocking out direct sunlight can reduce heat gain by as much as 30%, meaning your air conditioning unit doesn’t have to work as hard.
5. Maintain Your AC Regularly
A clean system performs better. Schedule annual air conditioning services with a trusted HVAC contractor like Ravinia Plumbing to keep your air conditioning in Buffalo Grove running efficiently.
Make Every Cooling Hour Count
So, how many hours per day should your AC run in Buffalo Grove? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but understanding your local climate, thermostat habits, system efficiency, and home insulation can help you make informed decisions.
If your AC seems to be running excessively—or struggling to keep up—it might be time to consult the professionals. Ravinia Plumbing’s air conditioning technicians specialize in reliable solutions and expert AC and heating services. We optimize cooling for Buffalo Grove homes and customers, and can help you determine whether your system is running as it should or if air conditioning repair, simple maintenance, or installation services could improve performance and efficiency.
Contact Ravinia Plumbing today to schedule a service visit. We’ll help keep your home cool, keep you comfortable, and help you save money all summer long.
