Temperature recovery time is how long it takes your AC to bring a hot room down to your desired temperature. This is especially important in hot climates where rooms can heat up significantly during the day.
Factors Affecting Recovery Time
1. AC Capacity vs Room Size
An appropriately sized AC (20 BTU per sq ft) should cool a room by about 3-5°C in the first hour. Undersized units take much longer or may never reach the set temperature.
2. Starting Temperature
Cooling from 35°C to 25°C (10° drop) takes roughly twice as long as cooling from 30°C to 25°C (5° drop).
3. Insulation Quality
Well-insulated rooms recover faster because less cool air escapes. Poor insulation can increase recovery time by 50% or more.
4. Sun Exposure
Rooms with direct afternoon sun have continuous heat gain, fighting against the AC. Close curtains or blinds during peak hours.
5. AC Type
- Inverter ACs: Start at high speed, then slow down = faster initial cooling
- Non-inverter ACs: Fixed speed = consistent but slower recovery
Typical Recovery Times
| Scenario | Time to Cool 10°C |
| Well-sized inverter, good insulation | 20-30 minutes |
| Well-sized non-inverter | 30-45 minutes |
| Undersized or poor insulation | 60+ minutes |
Tips for Faster Cooling
- Pre-cool before peak heat using a timer
- Close doors to the room being cooled
- Use ceiling fans to circulate cool air
- Block direct sunlight with curtains
Calculate Your Recovery Time
Use our Temperature Recovery Time Calculator to estimate how long it will take to cool your specific room.