The Truth About How Your AC Actually Works

At Four Seasons Home Services, we hear a lot of home comfort myths from our customers across Cave Creek, Anthem, Sun City, and the greater Phoenix area. Perhaps one of the most persistent misconceptions we encounter is the belief that setting your thermostat to an extremely low temperature will cool your home faster during our scorching Arizona summers.

Today, we’re setting the record straight about how your air conditioning system actually operates.

The Myth: Lower Settings = Faster Cooling

Many homeowners believe that setting their thermostat to 65°F instead of their desired 75°F will force their AC to work harder and cool the space more quickly. This seems logical on the surface – after all, don’t higher settings on other appliances (like ovens) make them work faster?

The Reality: Air Conditioners Work at One Speed

The truth is that most conventional air conditioning systems operate at a single speed. When you set your thermostat to a certain temperature:

• Your AC doesn’t work “harder” or “faster” based on how low you set it
• It simply runs at its standard capacity until the desired temperature is reached
• Setting it excessively low only makes it run longer, not faster
• This causes unnecessary system strain and higher energy bills

Think of your air conditioner like a light switch – it’s either on or off. When it’s on, it’s cooling at its designed rate. The thermostat simply determines how long it stays on, not how intensely it works.

Exception: Variable-Speed Systems

There is one important exception to this rule. If you have a modern variable-speed or multi-stage AC system (which many Arizona homes now do), your system can actually adjust its output. However, even these sophisticated systems don’t respond to extreme thermostat settings by cooling faster – they’re designed to optimize efficiency and comfort through gradual adjustments.

What This Means For Your Home

Setting your thermostat to 68°F when you really want 74°F doesn’t cool your home any faster. Instead, it:

• Wastes energy as your system continues running past your actual desired temperature
• Creates unnecessary wear and tear on your system
• Leads to uncomfortable temperature swings
• Results in higher utility bills

Better Approaches to Faster Cooling

If you’re looking to cool your Paradise Valley or Deer Valley home more effectively, consider these professional recommendations:

• Smart thermostats: Program cooling to begin before you arrive home
• Regular maintenance: Clean systems operate more efficiently
• Ceiling fans: Create a wind-chill effect making rooms feel cooler
• Proper insulation: Keeps the cool air inside where it belongs
• Zoning systems: Direct cooling exactly where it’s needed most

The Bottom Line

Your air conditioner will cool your home to your desired temperature at the same rate regardless of how low you set the thermostat. The most efficient approach is to set it to the temperature you actually want and let the system do its job.

Have more questions about optimizing your home’s cooling system? Our expert technicians at Four Seasons Home Services are ready to help homeowners throughout New River, Arrowhead Ranch, and all our service areas stay comfortable year-round with reliable information and professional service.