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I heard that having a master bedroom on first floor is the current trend, because people expect that if they live longer there, they don't have problem to go up/down everyday. 1 story house would definitely attract older people when resale due to the lack of stairs.
We have ~2200sqft, with $50 in spring/fall, and $110 in summer. But that's because on summer, we set 87F when people are out, and 80F when people are in; and spring/fall: 50F when people are out, and 72 when people are in. Having programmable thermostat is one of the best investment in energy efficiency.
50F to 72F is quite a swing - Heat pump? How long does it take to bring the house up to 72F (like last winter during the cold spell)?
No, just normal air-cond. It takes a bit of time, but we set it to turn on 1/2-1 hr before we got back home, soby the time we arrive at home, it'll be warm. I have done this in old apartment that is not programmable and it only takes 1/2hr to go back to desired temp.
Have a 2002 house with original windows and insulation on 1st 2 floors. Basement has spray foam. All of the HVAC units are less than 3 years old (13 SEER/80% efficient). 5000 sq ft total, 3 zones, 1 for each floor. Highest AC bill this summer was north of $300, highest gas bill in the winter is $275. Summer indoor temp between 68 and 72 (depending on floor and time of day, sleep with it max of 68 at night on 2nd floor). Winter thermostat set around 70.
We have ~2200sqft, with $50 in spring/fall, and $110 in summer. But that's because on summer, we set 87F when people are out, and 80F when people are in; and spring/fall: 50F when people are out, and 72 when people are in. Having programmable thermostat is one of the best investment in energy efficiency.
I wouldnt be able to breathe in a house that hot, 87 would be miserable and trying to sleep at 80 would make me very irritated.
I wouldnt be able to breathe in a house that hot, 87 would be miserable and trying to sleep at 80 would make me very irritated.
I agree! Our room is in the mid 60's for sleeping in the summer. If it gets above 73 in my house I start to get miserable. My house is smaller at 2252 sq/ft and our summer electric bill is in the $170 range. I'll gladly pay $2 more per day for comfort (as compared to the $110/mo bill listed above).
Location: Sodo Sopa at The Villas above Kenny' s House.
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My dad keeps his house at 80 in the summer. I have to have him turn it down before I come over. I would go with the house over the 3 level townhouse. Some of the ones I've been into feel very narrow and the space just feels chopped up. Maybe I just haven't seen a good one. I'm thinking of the ones off Rogers lane. From my investigating them it appears they didn't sale well and were discounted to attract investors. Most of them are rentals and its on its way to section 8 in the future if not already. Maybe if you are used to that layout but seems the majority are not or at least not in the lower sqft designs.
I agree! Our room is in the mid 60's for sleeping in the summer. If it gets above 73 in my house I start to get miserable. My house is smaller at 2252 sq/ft and our summer electric bill is in the $170 range. I'll gladly pay $2 more per day for comfort (as compared to the $110/mo bill listed above).
Quote:
Originally Posted by cheapdad00
I wouldnt be able to breathe in a house that hot, 87 would be miserable and trying to sleep at 80 would make me very irritated.
80F is actually my comfort zone since I came from tropics (where it is 85-95 all year long, humid, and we often don't turn on AC during the day). So I think it is just what you are used to.
87F is when noone is inside the house. We have no pets either so it is not a problem.
What does your indoor humidity look like if you're letting it get that hot? Around here the humidity, not just the heat, will destroy your home from the inside out (if the hidden mold doesn't kill you first) if you let it consistently stay high for days on end, with the modern building materials used in local homes. In some areas they use different building materials that withstand moisture better, maybe in the tropics they have breezes to keep the air moving but here is a problem if the inside of your home is staying above 60-70% RH in the summer.
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