Your condenser may be dirty and the evaporator coils should be cleaned there may be inadequate air flow around the condenser. If there is a leak, your unit may be out of refrigerant you might have a leak in your duct system.
If you only use ceiling fans in the rooms that you are in, then it will save a bundle. Just remember to turn the fans off when you leave a room. You can also buy motion sensors that will turn lights or fans on automatically.
With air conditioning systems, the equipment runs at peak efficiency when it operates for long periods. Cooling your house back to the comfortable temperature will use less electricity than the unit would use cycling on and off for short periods to maintain the set temperature. If your house takes too long to get back to a comfortable temperature, you might investigate getting a programmable thermostat, and set it to start heating or cooling your house an hour or so before you return. You could also set the thermostat back, to a lower temperature for heating, or a higher one for cooling, while you are gone, rather than turning it off completely.
The short answer is the temperature at which you are most comfortable. When choosing a temperature remember that your central air conditioner will lower the relative humidity in your home, allowing you to be comfortable at a higher temperature. During the winter you might find 72°F, but in the summer you’ll probably be comfortable at 76-78°F.
Mold thrives in humid environments. To reduce the growth of mold in your home, keep the humidity down. Total removal of mold requires specialized training and equipment. J’s HVAC can remove the mold in your home. Contact us for a free estimate.