Energy efficient tips on housing?

[davidtk]

The vast majority of two story homes will have 2 A/C units. However, if you're thinking that you can save electricity by mainly using the upstairs bedrooms, I don't think that will work well. In my experience living in two story homes, the upstairs tends to be warmer because heat rises and because the second floor ceiling is just below the hot attic.

Also, if the house has one of those open air living rooms that extends to the second floor, it's really hard to independently control the temperature of the second floor vs the first floor. That nice looking, airy floor plan basically makes the home one large space from an A/C standpoint. Our last home had a floor plan like that, and the upstairs was always 2 degrees warmer than the downstairs.

Our current two story house has a 1 story living room, and the stairwell is the only space connecting the floors. Now I can actually set the upstairs lower than the first floor if I want to. I could never do that in our prior house.

[gwarnecke]

Our house has a main A/C unit that serves most of the first and second floor, which are connected by a large cathedral ceiling+balcony in the living room. Indeed, the upstairs is always warmer than the downstairs in the summertime. Anytime I'm spending time up there in the summer I have to keep the ceiling fans running to stay comfortable.

The house is old and inefficient, and usually takes 1500-2500 kwh/month to cool in the summertime. However, most investments to improve efficiency don't make sense from a purely economic standpoint. My electricity rate is less than 2 cents/kwh as long as I use between 1000 and 2000 kwh/month, which is about 9-10 months out of the year (provided that I waste some energy during the milder months). Gotta love deregulation...for now at least.

[ma23peas]

Wow�� Great to hear there is competition with utility companies. We have two AC units and a pool and rarely pay under $300 a month in AL...double that some months. I just hate the idea of cooling 1000 sq feet that we won't use 90% of the time...seems a waste. Great tips on insulation and preventative measures. We most likely will buy new and want to compare the builders' efficiency efforts.

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by ma23peas

Wow�� Great to hear there is competition with utility companies.

I'm still waiting for somebody to tell me what is great about it.

Back in San Antonio my electrical bill was about 75% of what I pay here

[crone]

Originally Posted by Dopo

I'm still waiting for somebody to tell me what is great about it.

Back in San Antonio my electrical bill was about 75% of what I pay here

Was the electricity provider the city of San Antonio like used to be all over?

[hendersj31]

Maybe I don't understand what you are waiting for but if I had renewed with my current provider they would have charged me 12 cents per kwh. I moved to Startex for 6. I get to pay half. If that isn't great not sure what is.

Originally Posted by Dopo

I'm still waiting for somebody to tell me what is great about it.

Back in San Antonio my electrical bill was about 75% of what I pay here

[Lowexpectations]

Originally Posted by Dopo

I'm still waiting for somebody to tell me what is great about it.

Back in San Antonio my electrical bill was about 75% of what I pay here

My in laws live in San Antonio and their rates are no different than ours in Houston. Seems like something is off with your claim

[crone]

Time was when the city owned utilities were a little cheaper. Last I checked, Austin was up to deregulated rates. Just wondered about SATX.