Speculative cost of airconditioning a 7000 sq ft home (how much, houses)

[Redneck Russell]

Speculative cost of air conditioning a 7000 sq ft home
Please I've have heard the "why would anyone want a home that big" or clean it, or "if you can afford a home that big why are you concerned about the cost". (Heard all this 100 times.)
I am just curious what I'll be in for is all I'm asking.
Constructive replies would be appreciated.

[sandy6879]

Is it existing? You can call the power company and get a high and low estimate based on the past 12 months of usage. Otherwise, there are too many variables. A lot depends on temperature preference, how many people in the home, if they are home all day, how the home is insulated, etc.

FWIW, our 2700 sq ft home runs about $150-$370 for an average through the year.

[Bungle]

$964 per month during the peak of summer

[hikernut]

Our house is single-level and 4200 sf. It has 6" framing on exterior walls, and spray foam in the attic and all exterior walls. Our A/C electric cost during the worst month is about $350 (total electric bill is higher). We keep the indoor temp at 76-78.

My guess is that a well-built 7000 sf house with a basement could come in around $500-$600. An average built that's entirely above grade could be double or more.

When we were house hunting our agent told us that one of the houses we looked at could easily have a (total) electric bill of $1000 in the summer. This was a large (4000-5000 sf) tract home, two levels above grade.

[lvmensch]

Zone it properly with multiple AC units or a ductless system and it will be relatively inexpensive. Maybe peak at $500 or $600 and that rarely.. Know of one 10,000 SF two story house built into the side of a hill.. Ultra modern construction with insulated concreted panels and a metal roof. 9 individual air conditioners with a central controller. Never gets above $350 or so. Simple does not AC most of the place most of the time. And the high use area is on top so the cool flows down to the less used areas.

[Ponderosa]

A decent rule of thumb is $10/100 square feet for typical construction. I'd say that +/- 25%, so about $600 to $950.

[elcajones]

Originally Posted by hikernut

Our house is single-level and 4200 sf. It has 6" framing on exterior walls, and spray foam in the attic and all exterior walls. Our A/C electric cost during the worst month is about $350 (total electric bill is higher). We keep the indoor temp at 76-78.

My guess is that a well-built 7000 sf house with a basement could come in around $500-$600. An average built that's entirely above grade could be double or more.

When we were house hunting our agent told us that one of the houses we looked at could easily have a (total) electric bill of $1000 in the summer. This was a large (4000-5000 sf) tract home, two levels above grade.

It's amazing to me how much people pay to be at sweaty temps like 78. I on the other hand decided I'll at least be comfortable in my own home at 68. If you have to pay rediculous electric bills every summer either way, why not?

[DougStark]

^^^^ elcajones, speak for yourself. During the heat of the summer, A/C set at 78 feels fine to me.

[Greeniis78]

Originally Posted by DougStark

^^^^ elcajones, speak for yourself. During the heat of the summer, A/C set at 78 feels fine to me.

lol...El Cajones Id be freezing by tail off at 68 degrees. I agree Doug Stark 74 is the lowest Id go in my home max on the hotest time of the year. I just feel its an individual issue of comfort if you ask me. Its all it is but yea 68 degree is north pole status.

[Prickly Pear]

Originally Posted by elcajones

It's amazing to me how much people pay to be at sweaty temps like 78. I on the other hand decided I'll at least be comfortable in my own home at 68. If you have to pay rediculous electric bills every summer either way, why not?

You aren't from here, are you.

You know that 68 is cold to Arizonans!