[90sman]

Usually in December, when we start getting colder weather. Last winter, I didn't have my air conditioner turned on once during the months of December and January. It was nice and cool during that time.

[old_cold]

If the temp inside the house gets over 84/85 or 82/83 and it's very humid,on it goes,regardless of the month.
Generally, that is only for about 3/4 hours in the afternoon.(We aren't here in the worst of the summer)

[crazynip]

The last 2 days are good examples of Florida Fall/Winter weather:

Yesteday morning it was cool, I had the AC off, I got home from work and it was a little on the warm side and muggy, I turned it on, over night a cold front came though and now it's off... it's this cycle until mid December when it usually cools down enough to KEEP it off.

[Spring Hillian]

Have you folks ever heard of THE THERMOSTAT. Set it and forget it! If the house temperature goes above the set temperature, it will cool the house. If you have your windows open and cool air in the house, it won't come on. You can do the same thing with the heat. Too cold and like magic it will come on. What's with all the on/off stuff?

[Sweetbottoms]

Originally Posted by Spring Hillian

Have you folks ever heard of THE THERMOSTAT. Set it and forget it! If the house temperature goes above the set temperature, it will cool the house. If you have your windows open and cool air in the house, it won't come on. You can do the same thing with the heat. Too cold and like magic it will come on. What's with all the on/off stuff?

Yah I don't get it either i'd never turn my a/c on and off through out the day. Seems like a waste.. if its on it stays on, if its off it better be cold for an extended period of time (more than 4-5 days minimum) or I'm not gonna keep opening and closing things

[boxus]

Originally Posted by Spring Hillian

Have you folks ever heard of THE THERMOSTAT. Set it and forget it! If the house temperature goes above the set temperature, it will cool the house. If you have your windows open and cool air in the house, it won't come on. You can do the same thing with the heat. Too cold and like magic it will come on. What's with all the on/off stuff?

Because thermostats are hardly the most accurate things in the world, especially given their usual location. Even on boilers, which have very accurate thermostats, need adjusting due to external factors.

When I come in from a run, or just a walk, I crank on the AC because I am hot as heck, I do not need it to be blowing like that 24/7. In the mornings after I wake up, I am always feeling on the cold side, I never want the AC to blow, rather have it warm. In the evening, I like the air to be dry a bit, so I will bump on the AC, otherwise, I am fine with the temp.

People have different feelings throughout the day of warm and cold, even a person's body temp will migrate throughout the day, with the early evenings being the warmest (hence why it is regarded as the best time for the gym).

So no, it is not a simply matter of just "leave it on", there are different factors involved in a person's comfort setting regarding temperature, like activities occuring, how many people are in the house, humidity, sun exposure, etc.

Now, if you are the type that just likes it ice cold all the time, then you will most likely leave it on since it basically has to run very often.

[crazynip]

Originally Posted by Sweetbottoms

Yah I don't get it either i'd never turn my a/c on and off through out the day. Seems like a waste.. if its on it stays on, if its off it better be cold for an extended period of time (more than 4-5 days minimum) or I'm not gonna keep opening and closing things

I have my thermostat set at the same temp all the time, but turn it on/off because believe it or not, turning it OFF during the day when I am not home saves me money, as does turning it off when I have my windows open.

Also the thermostat does not measure humidity. It could be 80 degrees outside and 40% relative humidity and be perfectly comfortable, or it could be 80 degrees and 90% relatively humidity and be miserable. If I have my thermostat set at 78 degrees, it will turn on briefly and dry out the air if it's humid out, or if it's not humid, it's going to turn on and do NOTHING for me but waste money...

[WellShoneMoon]

I don't go by the calendar, but by the temp inside my house. If it gets above about 79, I put on the AC. That means it's on all the time in summer, but winter days vary in temp. A cold front comes through and it's cold for a couple of days (I'm in north Fla. and it gets really cold some times in the winter, I'm talking in the teens some nights), then each day is gradually warmer and warmer until the next cold front comes through. Some of those warmer and warmer days require use of the AC.

[Crane's Rooster]

I had the AC turned off since the beginning of October. It's been consistently cool enough in the evening/night that we can manage with the windows open. No one home during the day so no need to turn on AC. If it gets warm, we close the windows during the day until we get home, if it's cool we keep windows open all day. I love the savings in electricity.

[DanBev]

I have thermostat set on auto,very simple,78 cool,69 heat,24/7 365 days.I am in North FL,very comfortable and electric bill not bad.It is easier on home maintaining these temps.