Reduce Stress on Your Air Conditioner with the 20-Degree Rule
Travis Oglesby • August 15, 2023

Reduce Stress on Your Air Conditioner with the 20-Degree Rule


Regular tune-ups will help you reduce wear and tear stress on your air conditioner, helping it function efficiently for longer. You can also have a positive impact on your AC unit’s lifespan by paying closer attention to how you use it. Learning about the 20-degree rule can help you keep your current air conditioner for longer.


What Is the 20-Degree Rule?

You’ll positively impact your need for air conditioning maintenance in Panama City, FL, by following the 20-degree rule. This practice involves making sure there isn’t more than a 20-degree difference between the outdoor temperature and your indoor thermostat setting. 


For example, if the outdoor temperature is 95 degrees, your thermostat shouldn’t be set any lower than 75 degrees.


How Does the 20-Degree Rule Affect Air Conditioning Maintenance in Panama City, FL?

Your air conditioner functions as a dehumidifier as well as a cooling system. It does this by removing warm air from the home as it pushes cool air out into your living space. This process helps eliminate humidity from the indoor air. 


If there’s more than a 20-degree difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, your AC unit will have to work harder to go through this process. This adversely affects the ability of the air conditioner to cool your home. The system will work harder to keep up, speeding up stress damage to the air conditioner’s components.


Schedule Maintenance

You Can Keep Your Home Cooler with the 20-Degree Rule

While the 20-degree rule will benefit air conditioning maintenance in Panama City, FL, you might still feel too warm during the summer. Follow other practices to lower your indoor temperature: 


  • Keep your drapes or blinds closed during the day
  • Use LED light bulbs in your lighting fixtures
  • Seal air leaks in your window and door frames


As a last resort, you can run an oscillating fan to disperse cool air farther into your home. A fan uses less energy to operate, so this will also help you save on utility costs.


Our AC Services Will Keep Your Home Cooler

Panama Cool offers air conditioning services to help you stay cool all summer without wasting energy. We provide HVAC inspections and tune-ups along with repairs and new system installations. When you need expert AC service, contact us.


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