The 80/20 rule is a powerful tool for any maintenance department, as it states that 80% of the results obtained from preventive maintenance of a building come from a small fraction of the tasks that the maintenance team performs on a monthly basis. To make sure you're getting the most out of your maintenance efforts, it's important to follow the 20° rule. The 20° rule is an empirical rule that states that an air conditioning system must not be set to a temperature lower than 20° with respect to the outside temperature. For example, if it's 95° outside, then the thermostat must be set to 75° or more, but not below that limit.
This means that the maximum amount of work the air conditioner has to do is to cool by 20°. Following this rule can help keep your air conditioning system in top condition by not forcing it to work more than it could comfortably do. Of course, every air conditioning system is different, so the 20° rule can vary depending on your location, the air conditioner model you have, and the size of your home. In general, it means that you should never set your thermostat to a temperature more than 20 degrees colder than outside air.
If you adhere to this rule, you can significantly reduce the amount of energy you use and the amount of maintenance your air conditioning system needs, thus reducing the total cost of your air conditioner. The 80/20 rule also applies to unplanned maintenance activities. This means that 80 percent of maintenance activities must be proactive in nature and, at most, 20 percent must be unplanned maintenance. Unplanned maintenance is usually more expensive than planned work orders since it normally involves more expensive asset repairs and additional labor expenses, despite the stress. By following the 80/20 rule for HVAC maintenance, you can maximize efficiency and reduce costs. By setting your thermostat no lower than 20° with respect to outside temperature and ensuring that 80% of your maintenance activities are proactive in nature, you can ensure that your HVAC system is running at its best and save money in the long run.
