When and What Temp do you turn on the A/C? (houses, live in)

[CATXTransplant]

My husband calls me the air conditioner nazi because I keep it set at 79, but my neighbors have tol dme of $400 bills in the summer. Our highest was $222.

[Tia 914]

let me ask a question: in this locale, public buildings, buses, & regular people (homes & cars) turn the AC on at the beginning of April or so... it's usually around 50 degrees, & often damp/rainy... they say they use the AC to 'dry out the air'... has anyone ever heard of that?

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

Where I am now the air doesn't come on until August and then only for a few weeks.

[jdevelop2]

Wow!! Didn't realize we were so weird. Keep it on 64 during the day and 61 at night. We can't breathe if its over 68 in the house. Guess thats why our power bill was $450 last month.

[neddy]

I think we had the heat on for a few days back in Feb. but since then the AC has been on. Keep it at around 73/74 billis about $230 and thats all electric 2500 sq ft house.

[intmd8r]

Originally Posted by jdevelop2

Wow!! Didn't realize we were so weird. Keep it on 64 during the day and 61 at night. We can't breathe if its over 68 in the house. Guess thats why our power bill was $450 last month.

That's COLD!!!

[jobert]

during summer: 75 at night, 78 during the day. our bills are about $100 tops for peak summer for 2000sf. If your builder offers to upgrade your R-value (roof especially) take them up on it. the ROI is about two years. Radiant barrier is standard for new homes as well. If you can't buy new, retrofit. You wallet and the planet will thank you. Plant deciduous trees like Cedar Elms on the west side of your house - shade from summer sun (foliage Mar to Oct), and no leaves to block winter warmth.

[atxcio]

Originally Posted by jdevelop2

Wow!! Didn't realize we were so weird. Keep it on 64 during the day and 61 at night. We can't breathe if its over 68 in the house. Guess thats why our power bill was $450 last month.

You know that will be impossible here, right? A good A/C system can get the temperature 25 degrees below the outside temp... so on our 100 degree days, the best you could do is 75. Unless you installed a walk-in fridge and hung out in there.

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by atxcio

You know that will be impossible here, right? A good A/C system can get the temperature 25 degrees below the outside temp... so on our 100 degree days, the best you could do is 75. Unless you installed a walk-in fridge and hung out in there.

That's actually not correct. A properly functioning A/C system will have a measured temperature differential of 15 to 20 degrees. You measure the air temperature at the air intake (where the filter is normally located inside the home) and you measure the temperature at the register where cold air blows out. The difference should be 15-20 degrees. This is one of the things a home inspector will do when you buy a home.

The outside temperature can certainly affect operation, but the system is an internal loop and there is no mechanical limitation that would prevent an A/C system from achieving a 72 degree inside temperature on a 102 degree day.

Granted, if it's an older poorly insulated home, the system might have to work hard to do it. But if it's a newer well insulated home, the system might yawn at the outside temperature have little trouble.

Steve

[CATXTransplant]

I've been thinking about a radiant barrier - approx. how much do they cost?