Is central ac necessary (Chicago: apartments, to rent, motel)

[sarahfangs]

Hi, I am moving to Chicago in June and looking to rent an 800 square foot apartment. I noticed many apartments don't include any air conditioning. Is ac absolutely necessary in the summer months in Chicago? Thanks.
Sarah

[sharkylittleton]

You might be able to get away without AC on 1st floor apartments. 2nd or 3rd will get uncomfortable.

[myrc60]

I would not say it is necessary if you are by the lake breezes, however it can get really hot in the summer. I don't remember what year it was but it was like 100 degrees for what seemed to be forever; a lot of people without cooling means died; mostly elderly. If you don't have AC get yourself some fans early in the season; they really do help; if you wait till its hot you will have a hard time finding one in a store; they sell out fast when its blistering hot. Something you might want to consider too is that heat rises so the higher up you are in a building the hotter it will get.

[Drover]

Your thread title inquires about central A/C. "Central" A/C is completely unnecessary in an 800sqft apartment. A window unit will be completely adequate, and if the summer carries on like spring has, you may not even need that. I haven't turned my A/C on one single time yet this year and my apartment has yet to exceed 70 degrees. In fact my heat still kicks on from time to time. But, I do have a 1st floor apartment; your mileage may vary greatly in a 2nd or 3rd or 4th (or whatever) apartment.

[Lookout Kid]

I concur with Drover. Get a window unit, but only if you are above the ground floor. Otherwise they are security hazards.

I personally don't like living here without AC, but many people do it. I've done both over the years, but am definitely addicted to AC now...

[j33]

I've lived here with and without a/c, life is much better with a/c. You'll want to pick up a window unit. I'm lucky enough to have central a/c now, but did just fine with window units for the past decade.

[andrew61]

It depends on your comfort level. If you're above the first floor, if your apartment doesn't get cross-breezes (windows all on one side) and especially if you have a southern or western exposure, I would definitely have A/C.

[Steve-o]

There will be several days where youll want the A/C, trust me. Its not uncommon to hit 90 degrees and have high humidity to boot. Its days like those that youll almost need A/C, unless you love tropical weather. The rest of the summer you probably wont need A/C. Last year we ran the A/C 14 times I believe it was, and only on the hot and sticky days.

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by myrc60

I don't remember what year it was but it was like 100 degrees for what seemed to be forever; a lot of people without cooling means died; mostly elderly.

It was the summer of '95.

I was 8 months pregnant.

It sucked.

[myrc60]

Originally Posted by Chuckity

It was the summer of '95.

I was 8 months pregnant.

It sucked.

I remember that feeling Chuckity; I was prego in 88 and it was terrible in a home with 1 window unit. It quit working; was old or maybe the power out; we had to go to a motel for a few days it was that hot.

Regardless of what some think, it can get very hot in Chicago. If it lasts a day or two its not too bad but when it drags on for weeks you will be miserable without AC.