Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

Can I use my air conditioning with the windows open?

There is a strange smell coming from my house. I cannot figure out what it is, but I really need to get some fresh air circulating. The only problem is, it’s incredibly hot right now. We need to keep our air conditioning running. Can you use your air conditioning with the windows open?

avatar
Emily Maracle · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
That doesn’t sound pleasant! While you can use your air conditioning with the windows open, it isn’t recommended.
Using your air conditioning with the windows open can cause issues with your air conditioner and can defeat the purpose of running it in the first place.
When you open a window while your air conditioning is running, any cold air will leave the room. While you will be getting fresh air, your air conditioner will start to work harder to cool the room down as the air from outside will continue to heat the room.
Additionally, running the air conditioner with the windows open can cause most dust to build up in your HVAC system, requiring you to change the filter more often.
That said, if it’s entirely necessary for you to run both the air conditioning and open a window, doing it once or twice won’t hurt anything. You’ll just want to avoid it being a common occurrence to avoid long-term issues or damage. Your wallet will thank you as well!
Strange things happen to homes, and one way to ensure you are protected is by having a great
home insurance
policy.
If you want to save money on home, renters, or car insurance, the
Jerry
app is a good place to start. A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new home or renters insurance. Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy.
And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price.
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings