How long does ac take to cool apartment

The question is: How long does it take an air conditioner to cool a room? Let us assume that your AC unit is the right size for the house; it should cool the house for 15 up to 20 minutes. However, if the weather is particularly humid or hot, it will take longer for the AC to reach the desired temperature.

In any case, if your unit is already running for at least 20 minutes and it still does not cool your house, then it might be small for it. Meaning to say, you will have to upgrade the size of your air conditioning unit.

On the other hand, if the air conditioner is way too big for the house, it will cool way too fast in about 10 minutes. This may sound a good thing, but it’s not.

This occurrence is called short cycling. It means that the unit will hot remove the humidity from the air, so you will still feel sticky and hot. What’s even worse is that it can lead to damages since the unit might overwork itself.

How Long Does It Take An AC To Cool A Room?

Air conditioners are a great way to escape the heat in summer. You can install different types of air conditioners to cool the house.

So, how long does it take an air conditioner to cool a room? What it will take for those air conditioner units to cool your house will depend on numerous factors. This includes the following:

Factor #1. Central air

A central air conditioner can typically cool a moderate house with four bedrooms in 3 hours at a temperature of about 10 degrees F. But this will further depend on some factors, including the outdoor temperature and the age of your unit.

Nonetheless, you must cool down the house after a few hours. Otherwise, it would mean that something is wrong with your air conditioning system.

Factor #2. Power

Another factor that can affect the time your AC will cool the house is the power of the system. This is measured through its SEER or Seasonal Energy-Efficiency Rating.

Just like the previous factor, age can also affect its SEER. The common AC systems produced in the 1900s have 6 SEER, while those manufactured in the early 2000s are rated 10. Recent AC models typically have a SEER of at least 13.

Factor #3. Evaporator cooling

An evaporative cooling system is different in terms of the way they cool the air. The cooling occurs as the water evaporators and not through water-absorption or vapor-compression cycles common for other AC units.

Those kinds of AC systems are ideal to utilize during dry and hot climates. Comparing to the typical air conditioner, it will take longer for an evaporative cooling system to cool the space.

Typically, about fifteen cooling cycles can occur every hour so that it won’t reach your desired temperature after some time. But this will also depend on how big your house is.

Factor #4. Individual unit

If you own an individual AC unit, it can cool your room in lesser time than central air conditioners. This is especially true if you close all the windows and the door of the room.

A small room will be colder after 20 minutes. So in an hour, it will reach a comfortable temperature.

Other Factors

Other than the aforementioned factors, other things affect the time an air conditioner can cool the house. This includes insulation, age of the house, among others. Let us take a look at the factors below.

#1. Outside temperature

The hotter the temperature outdoors, the longer it will take for the unit to reach the desired temperature.

#2. Thermostat setting

If you set the thermostat low during summer, then, of course, it will take longer for the unit to reach the desired temperature.

#3. Size of your house

Bigger houses will require more time to be cooled down. This is especially true if you have a small air conditioning unit for space.

#4. Air conditioner state

The maintenance of an air conditioner is important since it will affect its efficiency. Furthermore, it will extend its lifespan. But if you neglect your AC unit, it will have to run longer in cooling the house. Or worse, it will not cool your house.

#5. Insulation of the house

If your house is not properly insulated, it means that the cool air will leak. In other words, the AC will have to run even longer to compensate for the lost air.

It’s A Wrap!

So the answer to the question of how long does it take an air conditioner to cool a room depends on various factors.

To improve your unit’s efficiency, you should keep all your AC vents open and the windows closed. Closing the vents will cause the heat to be trapped and the unit to work harder.

Having your unit serviced once a year is also recommended to ensure that the unit keeps working efficiently. The maintenance also includes cleaning the system every month.

Turning on the air conditioner can be a great way to relax. It brings cold air and creates a fresh breeze throughout a space. But that leads us to think, how long will an AC unit take to cool down my home? Well, lucky for you, we've done plenty of research into this topic and have the answers. Let's dive in.

Most air conditioners should take 10-30 minutes to cool a room to the desired temperature. However, this can depend on various details. For example, the state of the air conditioner, desired temperature, size of the room, and even the climate outside. 

Furthermore, underlying issues with an air conditioner can affect its cool time, so many things come into play here.

To know more about the cooling time of your ACs, keep reading the additional details below. Learn how various can affect the speed to cool the room and determine how to make cooling time faster. Additionally, see below some general guidelines and specific tips to choose the best units for more comfortable AC usage.

Ideal Conditions For An Air Conditioner

One of the benefits of newer AC technology is that it can cool your home quicker than older models. If you have an older model, you may have noticed that it takes quite some time for your home to cool down. This can be frustrating, especially on hot summer days.

But then, with a new air conditioning unit, you can enjoy faster cooling and improved energy efficiency.

Furthermore, the size and location of the unit also bring a strong impact on the cooling time. If you have the right size for the room, it would efficiently give enough output required for the room. So, it would operate faster, keeping the room at an ideal temperature.

Also, the correct placement of AC in the room would help to ensure that there's no passageway blockage. In this case, you need to make sure your AC faces the right direction of where you are mostly staying. For example, if you are in a bedroom, you may see if it directly hits the bed or the dressers.

If you are in an office, you may also consider checking its angle to your table.

Whether you are placing them near the area you are primarily located in, you still need to keep them in the correct position. Through this case, It helps to make the room much cooler.

Factors To Consider For An Air Conditioner's Cool Time

Besides the suggestions given earlier, it is also essential for you to know the other factor affecting the cooling time of your AC. So check out below the various things to consider to make your room cool faster. 

1. Outdoor Climate And Temperature

When it comes to climate, hotter climates will naturally take longer to cool than cooler ones. That's because the humidity in hot weather makes it harder for an air conditioner to do its job.

So, if you wish to consider buying an air conditioner unit, it would be better to consider the climate in your area. Besides that, the time of the year is a significant factor in the AC cooling time. To help you make the cooling time faster, you can use thick curtains, drapes, or blinds.

2. Thermostat Setting

Adjusting the thermostat will also help to speed up the cooling time of your AC. For example, you may try lowering the thermostat by just a couple of degrees and see the changes in the temperature.

Afterward, you may adjust it again to the higher thermostat to maintain the air level you desire to have.

If you adjust the thermostat, but the temperature is not changing, there could be a problem. Check it and see if it will let you do a system setting.

3. Size Of An Air Conditioning Unit

Most people think that bigger is always better for their air conditioner. But this isn't necessarily the case. Typically, an AC unit that's too large for your home will cool the space quickly but won't entirely remove the humidity properly.

As a result, it can leave your home feeling damp, and that would be pretty uncomfortable. Conversely, a too-small unit will run constantly and never reach the desired temperature.

4. State Of An Air Conditioner

Installing a new air conditioner can also help you achieve better cooling performance. If your AC unit is more than ten years old, it may be time to consider replacing it with a newer model. Newer air conditioners are more energy-efficient and can cool your home down faster than older models.

Another thing you also need to consider is the state of your air filters. These filters quickly get dirty, so you need to allot time cleaning them. On the other hand, maintaining your filters clean will help have a smooth airflow, keeping an effective cooling for the room. Experts suggest checking these filters once a month and if they look dirty, change them right away.

Additionally, you also need to check your air ducts to see if there are some leaks, dirty coils, and even the condenser units. Then, make sure to fix them instantly for the AC to work without any problems.

5. Location Of An AC Unit

If you're looking for ways to enhance the performance of your AC unit, consider installing it in the correct location. Generally, air conditioners work best when placed in a spot with plenty of airflow, and that's shaded from direct sunlight.

However, if you can't install your AC unit in an ideal location, make sure to give it plenty of space to breathe and keep it clear of any obstructions.

6. Home/Room Size

The size of your house and room also affects the cooling time. If you have a larger home, it will take longer for the AC unit to cool enough.

So, keep this in mind when choosing an air conditioner, and make sure to purchase one sized appropriately for your needs.

7. Insulation Of A Home

The insulation in your home can impact how quickly your AC unit cools down the room. If you have good insulation, your AC unit will need to work less to achieve the desired temperature.

Additionally, it can result in shorter cooling times and improved energy efficiency. However, if you have poor insulation, your unit will have to work harder to get the desired results, leading to increased energy costs and longer cooling times.

How Long Should My AC Take To Cool 1 Degree?

In general, a newer air conditioner and well-maintained units will lower the temperature by one degree in about 18 minutes. As we said, newer systems tend to do a better job versus old ones, so this can affect your timeframe.

Additionally, you can reach cool up to one degree by adjusting the thermostat to its best possible level.

How Long Will An AC Unit Take To Cool House From 80 To 72 Degrees?

If you wish to lower the temperature from 80 to 72 degrees, you might wait for about two and a half hours to three hours. It could also get longer if the outside temperature is hot, especially during the summer months.

How Can I Cool Down My Home Fast?

Luckily, you can do several things to make the AC cooling time faster. Others prefer using dark curtains and covers to the windows. You could also upgrade your lights to LEDs to prevent heat from coming from other lights like fluorescent, incandescent, and light bulbs.

Besides that, insulators also work perfectly to keep the house cool. Furthermore, you may add them to the walls, ceilings, or even under the flooring.

Final Thoughts

We found that a room and house can cool faster than one may have expected. You only need to ensure that your air conditioning unit is in its best condition. Also, you may follow the tips we mentioned above.

If you still need any help on why your AC is not working correctly, you can reach out to the experts and let them check the current situation of your unit.

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