[ScoopLV]

Originally Posted by aggrofish

My AC is on at night. Hello $600 electric bills.

If you own your house, you should do something about that.

Blow in some extra insulation at least. It would pay for itself in a couple months with those rates.

EDIT -- The first three things I would do are:

1) Blow in some more insulation in the attic. ($1,000 or so.)

2) Install a gable exhaust fan with a thermal switch. ($400 or so. Do it at the same time the insulation is blown in.) This step knocks HOURS off the total amount of time you need to run the AC every day in order to stay cool. Just make sure the fan is installed in the North or East gable of the house, because our winds are usually from the South and West.

3) Install a similar fan in the garage. ($400 or so). Place the fan as far from the garage door and as close to the ceiling as possible. Naturally, you only need do this if there is living space above the garage.

If you can't recoup that $1,800 over the course of the summer, then your house needs new windows. Or it's a very old house with inferior insulation between the studs.

[jet757f]

What is all this talk about air conditioning? My real estate agent told me you rarely have to use it here since we always get the ocean breeze.

[m73m95]

Originally Posted by jet757f

What is all this talk about air conditioning? My real estate agent told me you rarely have to use it here since we always get the ocean breeze.

I've got a car I need to sell. We should talk

[yellowsnow]

Haven't turned mine on yet. I always hold out as long as possible. Every day I don't turn it on is money in my pocket.

The insulation and windows do make a difference. I will do even better when I can afford new doors.

[bayview6]

i haven't turned my AC on yet. Of course, I'm currently living in Alaska.

[aggrofish]

Originally Posted by jet757f

What is all this talk about air conditioning? My real estate agent told me you rarely have to use it here since we always get the ocean breeze.

Yeah if here is OC then you're right. My place in Newport didn't even have an AC unit. The beach was across the street.

[kimba01]

My husband said he hasn't turned it on yet. Says that keeping the house closed up while at work, it is cool when he comes home. Whew...

[Everdeen]

I have not turned mine on yet, but it was hard last night.

Usually, this time of year we hook up the swamp cooler. We are moving, though, so not this year, I guess.

[aggrofish]

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

If you own your house, you should do something about that.

Blow in some extra insulation at least. It would pay for itself in a couple months with those rates.

EDIT -- The first three things I would do are:

1) Blow in some more insulation in the attic. ($1,000 or so.)

2) Install a gable exhaust fan with a thermal switch. ($400 or so. Do it at the same time the insulation is blown in.) This step knocks HOURS off the total amount of time you need to run the AC every day in order to stay cool. Just make sure the fan is installed in the North or East gable of the house, because our winds are usually from the South and West.

3) Install a similar fan in the garage. ($400 or so). Place the fan as far from the garage door and as close to the ceiling as possible. Naturally, you only need do this if there is living space above the garage.

If you can't recoup that $1,800 over the course of the summer, then your house needs new windows. Or it's a very old house with inferior insulation between the studs.

I'm on a lease w an option. I passed on the option last sept. at 1/2 the construction cost. I'm waiting to see where prices end up. I honestly think the power company is sticking it to me. I run the AC at my office all the time, which is about the same size as the house, excluding the warehouse, and the bill is about $250 in the summer.

I spend more hours at the office than at home, makes no sense to me.

[timothyaw]

Originally Posted by ElleTea

Please arrange for that next weekend too when I am there! TIA!

I'll be there at my house next weekend through May 23rd, may see you driving around in your convertible checking out neighborhoods