AC Temperature Differential: The Basics for Homeowners
People love living in Phoenix, AZ, because of the sunny weather and proximity to nature. However, the summers can be brutal. Temperatures can rise as high as 110°F, resulting in sweltering days and overworked ACs. To prolong the life of your HVAC, knowing how to safely operate it during the summer season can be crucial. Understanding differentials is one crucial aspect of ensuring that your HVAC is cooling at a sustainable temperature.
Below, we have shared a guide to help you get to know the basics and how to operate your unit with care when the days get hot.
What Is It?
Before anything else, let’s first describe what it is. Simply put, it’s the difference between the temperature of the outside air and the inside air. This contrast may not be as obvious during spring or fall months. During summer, though, when it’s so hot outside that your AC doesn’t seem to be keeping up, the temperature differential becomes more apparent.
Measuring It
To measure the temperature differential, you only need to subtract your indoor air temperature from the outside temperature. Let’s say that the current air temperature measured from your garden is 100°F. In your living room, you’re reading 75°F. This means that a 25°F. Raise the temperature to 80°F, and the number becomes 20°F. Having a lower temperature differential is healthier for your AC in the long run.
However, as we mentioned, outside air temperature can rise as high as 110°F. If you want your indoor air to stay at 75°F, then the temp. climbs to 35°F, which means more effort for your unit.
Is There an Optimal Temp.?
Having a high one can put a large strain on your air conditioning unit, leading to a shorter lifespan. In general, HVAC experts recommend keeping the numbers below 20°F. That may not be realistic for Tempe or Scottsdale properties, especially when daily summer temperatures rise beyond 100°F, especially during the months of July and early August.
To maintain comfort while ensuring your HVAC lasts for longer, installing premium equipment and conducting regular maintenance are important. Precision Air & Plumbing can help you choose advanced HVAC systems and offer comprehensive maintenance to ensure that your HVAC remains in top-notch condition, even in prolonged periods of high temperature differentials.
Delta T vs. Temperature Differential
While researching HVAC use and care, you may have come across the term Delta T or TD. This is also a measurement of it, but for a more specific application. In many cases, Delta T measures the difference between the return air and supply air of your HVAC system.
For added context, supply air is the air blowing out of your vents – it’s cooler. Meanwhile, the return air is the hotter air that the AC takes in to cool. To measure the Delta T, simply subtract the temperature of the supply air from the return air. Let’s say that the supply air is currently 70°F. Meanwhile, you measure the return air to be 85°F. Using the formula, the Delta T of your HVAC system will be 15°F.
A healthy HVAC system is expected to have a Delta T of 15°F to 22°F. Any value outside this range may indicate problems, such as low refrigerant, poor airflow, or rusted coils. If your HVAC is unable to reach these numbers, then it may be time to contact HVAC experts like us. We can help diagnose the problem and provide the solutions needed so your AC returns to its optimal condition.
Can I Do It Myself?
Yes. Measuring Delta T might seem like a complex diagnostic routine. However, it only takes a temperature measuring tool, like a thermometer or a temperature gun, to get the numbers you need. If you’re still unsure, you can schedule a quick checkup with our team.
What If the Issue Isn’t the AC Unit?
No matter how you try to fix the AC unit, high Delta T numbers may still persist. In this case, other factors like old ductwork or narrow vents may be the culprit. Outdated ducts can have leaks, and small vents may not deliver enough air to cool a room. Having a professional look at your HVAC thoroughly can help you solve this issue without taking drastic measures, such as replacing your AC unit.
How Cool Should Your AC Be Blowing?
Given these metrics, how cool should your AC be? It might be tempting to go as low as 65°F during the sweltering heat, but this is not a healthy long-term temperature. For maximum efficiency, a Delta T between 16°F to 22°F is ideal.
Let’s say that the outside air is currently 100°F and might stay that way for the rest of the afternoon. Setting the thermostat for 78°F is still at a healthy range and allows you to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. If you go lower, then you might start to strain your HVAC system. The bottom line is, instead of focusing on the absolute temperature, focus on maintaining an efficient differential to keep your home cool and your wallet happy.
Tips for Programming Your Thermostat
Here are some best practices you can follow as a homeowner to help your system work seamlessly, even when the hottest weeks of Arizona arrive.
- Increase Fan Speed: High fan speeds keep air circulating, helping the AC unit cool a huge amount of air quickly.
- Set the Thermostat in the Morning: The cooler morning air means a lower temperature differential, so your AC won’t have as hard to cool your interiors as it would be at noon or afternoon.
- Keep Setting on Cool: Instead of auto, set your thermostat to cool during summer. This reduces fluctuations in heating or cooling, which can overwork your system.
- Avoid Drastic Temperature Drops: Resist the urge to crank down the thermostat from 85°F to 70°F when you get home. Your AC unit doesn’t cool faster at a lower setting. It would just work harder for a longer period. A sudden, dramatic drop stresses the system and may not even reach the desired temperature, consuming more energy in the process.
Get Help From Valley HVAC Experts Today
Is your HVAC system unable to reach the ideal numbers? Is the Delta T too high or too low? These could be signs of malfunctioning AC units or outdated ducts. Precision Air & Plumbing can provide precision diagnostics and maintenance solutions to address these issues for your Phoenix home. Let us make your indoors comfortable, even during the hot summer months. Contact us today!
