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I would venture to guess that your friend's air conditioner is substantially more efficient than yours too. AC technology has actually come a long way since 2003. My house had 20 year old air conditioners that were 10 seer, and I recently replaced them with 22 seer AC units. The bills halved.
Not saying you should run out and replace it as the ROI might not be there if you only cool 2 months of the year, but since it's a new house it could be a big driver.
Before making any expenditures of great sums of money, reduce the amount of time you use the A/C.
Are you cooling rooms that you don't typically use during the day? Perhaps you would be okay shutting off your A/C on days that are cooler like 84 degree days and use fans instead. Maybe you are just used to having A/C on all the time . Just ask yourself if there are days you could do without it or shut off part of the house that you don't use much during the day. With a bit of effort and modification you can bring your bill down considerably.
Air conditioning and refrigeration have undergone significant engineering improvements just in the past 15 years or so. The newer the central system the more cost efficient. Same goes for refrigerators. I had two identical size and make refrigerators one 10 yrs older than the other. The newer one's electrical usage was just a tad over 1/2 the amount the older one used.
Good double pane windows and those accordion style double layer blinds also seem to be energy saving.
Two things you can do that cost nothing are 1) as Coldjensens suggested unplug anything you can when you're not using it like small appliances ... a coffeemaker for example continues to draw to keep its clock running ... if you shut off computers and printers when not in use, put them on a power strip (if not already) and turn off the power strip. 2) increase your thermostat by one degree and if you're still comfortable turn it up another degree ... continue until you reach the setting that no longer is comfortable and set it back one degree. Try 79 during the day and 75 at night and see what it feels like.
Before making any expenditures of great sums of money, reduce the amount of time you use the A/C.
Are you cooling rooms that you don't typically use during the day? Perhaps you would be okay shutting off your A/C on days that are cooler like 84 degree days and use fans instead. Maybe you are just used to having A/C on all the time . Just ask yourself if there are days you could do without it or shut off part of the house that you don't use much during the day. With a bit of effort and modification you can bring your bill down considerably.
The OP is in Florida. You can’t just shut off the AC. You need it for dehumidification. Anytime it is cool enough that I might turn off the AC, it is usually like 90% humidity outside. The last thing the OP needs is mold, and dehumidifiers on their own usually put off heat. You can’t just “shut off” part of the house if you don’t have a multi-zoned unit. It is likely that the 17yo AC is just not efficient, especially if the OP also has the original windows.
Before making any expenditures of great sums of money, reduce the amount of time you use the A/C.
Are you cooling rooms that you don't typically use during the day? Perhaps you would be okay shutting off your A/C on days that are cooler like 84 degree days and use fans instead. Maybe you are just used to having A/C on all the time . Just ask yourself if there are days you could do without it or shut off part of the house that you don't use much during the day. With a bit of effort and modification you can bring your bill down considerably.
I keep it at 78 during the day and feel that is rather warm. Any higher and it would be uncomfortable. My parents keep there's at 82 and it's a sauna.
The OP is in Florida. You can’t just shut off the AC. You need it for dehumidification. Anytime it is cool enough that I might turn off the AC, it is usually like 90% humidity outside. The last thing the OP needs is mold, and dehumidifiers on their own usually put off heat. You can’t just “shut off” part of the house if you don’t have a multi-zoned unit. It is likely that the 17yo AC is just not efficient, especially if the OP also has the original windows.
AC is only 6 yrs old but I have all original windows and original 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.
Thanks, all good ideas and will look into all those further.
How are your windows? You may not need triple panes to realize much difference.
Single pane, all original. I highly doubt they keep all the heat out.
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