The Truth About Keeping Your Air Conditioner Below 20°C

November 2, 2025

Many families mistakenly believe that setting the air conditioner at a lower temperature will keep the room cool all the time. Find out the truth about keeping air conditioner below 20°C with DEEPCHILL, your trusted air conditioning Gold Coast service. 

What do people believe: keeping air conditioner below 20 degree celcius?

According to appliance experts, during summer, air conditioners are an essential part of almost every household. To escape the scorching heat, many families tend to set their air conditioners at very low temperatures. Some even keep them running nonstop, day after day.

However, this habit of setting the temperature too low can actually cause several problems. Specifically, when the temperature is set below 20°C, the air conditioner has to work at full capacity to reach that level. Once it does, the relay automatically shuts off the outdoor unit.

A family standing under a running air conditioner, illustrating household habits of keeping air conditioner below 20°C and how air conditioning Gold Coast experts recommend safer cooling levels.

The truth about setting your air conditioner below 20°C

However, in fact, doing so can harm your health and waste electricity. Why? 

First, on extremely hot and humid days, keeping the air conditioner below 20°C makes the temperature rise quickly, causing the AC to restart over and over again. This constant cycle wastes a large amount of electricity, your power bill can increase. 

Moreover, running the air conditioner at full capacity for long periods shortens its lifespan. Just like light bulbs, electric fans or rice cookers, air conditioners also have a limited service life. When they are overused or overloaded, that life gets even shorter. In some cases, it can even lead to overheating or fire hazards.

In fact, some technicians shared that during scorching days when temperatures reach 38-40°C, many households keep their air conditioners running 24/7 for days at a time, often setting them below 20°C. This forces the system to work beyond its limits. Not only does this result in higher electricity costs, but the outdoor unit can also overheat or even explode, posing a serious risk to users.

Adjusting temperature to 19°C on a remote control, showing the effects of keeping air conditioner below 20°C for better comfort and air conditioning Gold Coast efficiency.

How to cool your home efficiently?

There are smarter and safer ways to beat the heat while saving energy and protecting your AC.

First, try setting your air conditioner between 25°C and 28°C. This range is comfortable for most people and helps your unit run efficiently. And remember not to let your AC runs 24/24. 

Second, close doors and windows while the air conditioner is on to prevent cool air from escaping. You can also use curtains or blinds to block direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day, this helps reduce the room temperature naturally.

Third, make sure to clean the air filter every two to three weeks during summer. A dusty or clogged filter makes the AC work harder and consume more electricity. Regular maintenance not only improves cooling performance but also extends the lifespan of your system.

And finally, use a fan together with your air conditioner. The fan helps circulate cool air more evenly, allowing you to feel cooler even at a higher temperature setting. This way, you don’t need to keep your air conditioner below 20°C to stay comfortable.

By following these simple tips, you can stay cool all summer long without keeping air conditioner below 20°C. With DEEPCHILL, your trusted air conditioning Gold Coast service, you don’t have to worry as our team will help maintain your air conditioner to run smoothly even on the hottest days!

Category: Tips & Tricks

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