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Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Our house is 3,000 SF and in our climate winter heating is the problem, not summer AC. We were running as much as $350 gas/electric bill in January-February, with a gas forced air furnace. When we changed out all of our windows to triple pane, that went down to a maximum of $260. That savings will take over 20 years to pay for the $15,000 cost, but some of the old dual pane windows were fogged up from leaks anyway, and we also are more comfortable on hot days in summer. using the window AC less. Our last bill for July was a record low of $70.
it also depends on how low he puts airconditioning on. Some people are more comfortable with the heat and rarely turn it on. Also does he have blinds he keeps shut..do you? Do you have kids, does he? Kids leave lights on, run more things.
78 during the day and 74 at night. Yes i have kids but I usually make sure all lights are off and I have all LED's throughout the house. Usually have most of the blinds shut
Our house is 3,000 SF and in our climate winter heating is the problem, not summer AC. We were running as much as $350 gas/electric bill in January-February, with a gas forced air furnace. When we changed out all of our windows to triple pane, that went down to a maximum of $260. That savings will take over 20 years to pay for the $15,000 cost, but some of the old dual pane windows were fogged up from leaks anyway, and we also are more comfortable on hot days in summer. using the window AC less. Our last bill for July was a record low of $70.
Dang that is a hefty cost. I cannot say if I will be in this house for 20 yrs or not. I have moved about 4 times in the last 10 yrs
Is your AC unit from 2003? Mine was about 20 years old when it went out and replaced last year. The energy savings were enormous. I did not upgrade to a special energy saving kind either. I suspect something in the unit was worn/rusted and inefficient.
Is your AC unit from 2003? Mine was about 20 years old when it went out and replaced last year. The energy savings were enormous. I did not upgrade to a special energy saving kind either. I suspect something in the unit was worn/rusted and inefficient.
You're in Florida, that's normal for August. Mine was about the same. I keep my upstairs at 78 or higher and downstairs at 73 or 74. Home built in 2000. Probably could use new windows but not willing to spend that much money for one or two months of high bills. Would take many years to make up the difference.
Currently I own a 2,700 ft home and in the hottest month of the year which is August my bill tops out at $275. House was built in 2003. My friend just bought a brand new house 4,000 sq ft and his bill this last month was only $115. Does the main difference here come down to insulation?
If you are in the south and have sun on roof the whole day, a 97% radiant barrier (radiantguard.com) properly installed in attic can significantly reduce summertime attic heat gain, and even help during really cold winters.
My attic temp went from 160f to 120f on a 99degree day - cost me only $300 for 2 rolls I stapled up to rafters myself.
Get a cheap remote thermometer and see how hot it's getting up in your attic.
My bills dropped $100 / mo, so it 'paid for itself' the first summer.
You might be able to get it installed when you get a new roof put on (that you mentioned) - much cheaper (labor cost) then if not diy.
Also making sure you have at least R45 level insulation up there will help too. I saved about another $25/mo both summer and winter after increasing mine to an even R45.
after the above 2 upgrades, my units started actually turning off/cycling from 2pm-6pm where before they would run almost continiously.
I also finally replaced the old R22 ac units with 16seer heat-pumps, that were even a half-ton smaller than what I took out.
In the end, my 3600sqft home went from $400/mo summer/winter to $125/mo @76day/73nite setting, and this was with 7 people in the home.
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