Air Conditioning in Maine? (Portland, Augusta: homes, transfer to, live)

[IHeartMaine]

It's never hot in Maine.

[Submariner]

We have not seen any need for A/C here in our area [so far]. But we have only been here since 2005.

Different parts of Maine, might feel differently. We are just a tad North of Bangor, so technically still in the Southern half of Maine.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

We bought our first air conditioner ever on July 2 when it was the hottest July 2 in over 100 years. It was humid and oppressive. We brought the kitchen down to 68 degrees and it was delightful. We'll be ready next time.

[Midcoaster]

Originally Posted by bangorme

There are about 5 nights a year that are hot in Maine. So, most people just close the shades on the sunny side of the house and close the windows during the day. When the outside temps go lower than the inside, they open the windows and use fans to cool off the house over the night. Air conditioning is a luxury in Maine and completely unnecessary.

That's not the case. Apart from that, the air quality in many locations is such that air conditioning is a necessity in order to have cleaner air. Many days, even in the winter, the particulate levels are moderate. Ozone levels are less frequently raised, but that does happen.

There are many reasons to condition the air, and cool it.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by Midcoaster

... the air quality in many locations is such that air conditioning is a necessity in order to have cleaner air. Many days, even in the winter, the particulate levels are moderate.

There are a few mill towns that produce a lot of smoke and fuels. We were in Bradley for a while when the Old Town mill was running, that was pretty bad.

Most of Maine enjoys very clean air.

[mainebrokerman]

Originally Posted by Midcoaster

That's not the case. Apart from that, the air quality in many locations is such that air conditioning is a necessity in order to have cleaner air. Many days, even in the winter, the particulate levels are moderate. Ozone levels are less frequently raised, but that does happen.

There are many reasons to condition the air, and cool it.

I have never heard in 50 years, that mainers use a/c for cleaner air...

what part of maine are you in, that has poor air quality?

there are very few mills at all, so you don't have the mill odors you use to 30 yrs ago, the rivers are 10 times cleaner that they were 30 years ago
(the Kennebec use to reek of sewage smells in the 70's on a hot day)


I enjoy driving with my windows down, to get the pleasant smells of summer- in most of maine

[Nor'Eastah]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

We bought our first air conditioner ever on July 2 when it was the hottest July 2 in over 100 years. It was humid and oppressive. We brought the kitchen down to 68 degrees and it was delightful. We'll be ready next time.

I agree 100% with you, NMLM! It was insufferable the last few days before the 4th, and that surprised me, as I'd been up there all last summer, workin' hard building, and did not even break a sweat.

We brought 3 room A/C units with us up here (son-in-law wanted 'em, I said "no"). We had one on in the kitchen, run by generator. Made it tolerable for my wife, but I just like to be outdoors more.

When it's over 90 and humid, it reminds me of Rhode Island. Ugh!

[slyfox2]

You guys in the interior have been really suffering. STill hasn't hit 90 on the coast.

[bangorme]

Originally Posted by slyfox2

You guys in the interior have been really suffering. STill hasn't hit 90 on the coast.

Sufferring lol. There hasn't been one night yet that with a simple window fan I couldn't get my bedroom down to a comfortable sleeping temperature. The night's have been cool.

[RiverBird]

Originally Posted by Nor'Eastah

I agree 100% with you, NMLM! It was insufferable the last few days before the 4th, and that surprised me, as I'd been up there all last summer, workin' hard building, and did not even break a sweat.

We brought 3 room A/C units with us up here (son-in-law wanted 'em, I said "no"). We had one on in the kitchen, run by generator. Made it tolerable for my wife, but I just like to be outdoors more.

When it's over 90 and humid, it reminds me of Rhode Island. Ugh!

Our strategy: (we do have central air, but hate a.c.)

Keep the windows and sliders open all night and close them around dawn, then draw all the shades and curtains, put on the overhead fans. Don't let any daylight in and keep the lights off (nice indoor feel). I keep one window open on each side of the house that face each other, for a cross-current, and I spray the cloth curtains on those windows with water till they're pretty wet. I don't know why I started to do this, but it works for this house. Close it all up again around 9 or 10 pm.