No central a/c in rental home- is it a deal breaker? (Denver: apartment, condo)

[niquicita]

Please help!

My husband, 10 month old son are headed to Denver in two weeks. It's a unique situation with my husband's job that will have us there until October. After many years of apartment and condo living, I had my heart set on renting a house. I found one that is perfect! The caveat-- there is no central a/c. Living in DC, I am used to atrocious, swampy summers. I know that is not the case in Denver. However, I need to know before we sign a lease that I am not going to be responsible for making my family miserable this summer. The landlord is willing to put in a portable unit in a room, but certainly this will only cool one area. Apparently the windows open strangely so window units aren't a good option. Two of the three bedrooms are in the basement so is it safe to assume it will stay nice and cool down there? I would appreciate your advice! Besides this one thing, the house is great.

[bluescreen73]

If you're coming from the eastern seaboard you'll hardly notice it honestly. There may be a smattering of days when A/C would be nice, but it's not necessary. Once the sun goes down here the temperature drops pretty rapidly.

[Snikt]

I agree, I moved from Florida and even when we had a few days where it was 100 degrees I was saying how nice it was and had the windows in my car down.

All the people who had lived here for awhile at the time seemed like they were burning up

[LisaBoulder]

Originally Posted by niquicita

Please help!

My husband, 10 month old son are headed to Denver in two weeks. It's a unique situation with my husband's job that will have us there until October. After many years of apartment and condo living, I had my heart set on renting a house. I found one that is perfect! The caveat-- there is no central a/c. Living in DC, I am used to atrocious, swampy summers. I know that is not the case in Denver. However, I need to know before we sign a lease that I am not going to be responsible for making my family miserable this summer. The landlord is willing to put in a portable unit in a room, but certainly this will only cool one area. Apparently the windows open strangely so window units aren't a good option. Two of the three bedrooms are in the basement so is it safe to assume it will stay nice and cool down there? I would appreciate your advice! Besides this one thing, the house is great.

I don't think it's a deal breaker. Summers here can get hot, but if you have a portable unit for the main room where you'll be during the day and basement bedrooms, you should be fine. My house has a reverse floor plan (bedroom level is partially underground and main level is on top) and the bedrooms stay cool even during the day. We have AC for the main level, but not downstairs and it's fine. There are usually a few nights when it's hotter than I'd like, but not so hot that I can't sleep.

[Drew303]

for me it would be a deal breaker

[davebarnes]

in a house in Bonnie Brae without A/C.

You open up the windows at night and then shut them in the morning.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by davebarnes

in a house in Bonnie Brae without A/C.

You open up the windows at night and then shut them in the morning.

Which works if you're gone all day at work. If you're in and out, the house heats up fast on the hottest days. I don't agree with the mantra that "you don't need A/C in Denver". We've always had at least a swamp cooler, and been glad for it.

[davebarnes]

Originally Posted by Katiana

Which works if you're gone all day at work.

Both of us worked from home the last 12 years.
Working from home actually gives you an advantage as you can time the opening/closing more precisely.

[steel7]

Why not get a portable evaporative cooler & use it only during the hot days ? Im sure you & your family will enjoy the change of weather.
http://www.air-n-water.com/swamp-coo...ve.htm?size=-1

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by davebarnes

Both of us worked from home the last 12 years.
Working from home actually gives you an advantage as you can time the opening/closing more precisely.

I'm talking about a SAHM with kids going in and out, in and out, all day long. I've lived it. I know what I'm talking about.