Electric in the summer for Air conditioning Az vs Fl (section 8, rental)

[nicoleeee]

Do u use less Ac in dry heat in Az then you would in Fl in humid heat? Average cost of Ac in the summer in Az in a 1300sq ft home?

[redjan1225]

I think there are different types of AC units used in both areas. I may be wrong, and I'm sure someone will correct me if I am, but those in drier climates often use swamp coolers. I've heard they are cheaper to operate but ineffective during the more humid months in AZ.

I am in AZ and have a standard electric AC and our bills for August on a 1300 sq. foot home run just under $200 a month. I am pretty conservative and like it warm when I'm the only one home (80 degrees usually). My home is all tile flooring which helps and we have ceiling fans in every room.

[esnox82]

You may notice that you won't have to set the AC to as low of a temperature as you would in FL, because you won't be removing nearly as much humidity from the air, a higher setpoint can be more comfortable.

[Zippyman]

Your answers will vary considerably in this area - there are a couple of different electricity providers, with varying rates, and significant differences in construction in the area. I have friends with similar-size homes who claim to have never seen a peak bill over $150, and others who would tell you $500 is a low summer bill.

Whether you're home or not during the day, and your preferred thermostat settings can make a large difference as well. Electricity during peak summer hours can cost $.25 per KW, and off-peak winter pricing sometimes drops below $.05 per KW, depending on your provider and rate plan.

Generally speaking though, many people don't even turn on the A/C until daytime temps top 80 or so. From what I remember of my trips to Florida, 78 degrees with humidity can be pretty stifling.

For my 1600 sq/foot home with lots of energy upgrades, my highest summer bill was $220 - and I left my thermostat @ 74. My brother's 800 sq/foot home with no energy upgrades had a higher peak bill, and he leaves his thermostat @ 80.

[Ilovethesun]

Nicolee, My place is 1200 sq feet and I keep it around 78-79. I'm going to say my bills average $400 in the warmer months which can be several months.

It can still get pretty hot here even though the humidity is less than FL. The sun beats down on you and can be unbearable at times. We see temps around 115 at times.

Are you moving from FL? I lived there for 7 years. I think even though we don't get the humidity here, it can feel hotter than FL. Just my 2 cents.

[nicoleeee]

Originally Posted by Ilovethesun

Nicolee, My place is 1200 sq feet and I keep it around 78-79. I'm going to say my bills average $400 in the warmer months which can be several months.

It can still get pretty hot here even though the humidity is less than FL. The sun beats down on you and can be unbearable at times. We see temps around 115 at times.

Are you moving from FL? I lived there for 7 years. I think even though we don't get the humidity here, it can feel hotter than FL. Just my 2 cents.

Actually I live in Pa but my sis lives in longwood Fla. we find that a bit to humid and also the cost of living is much cheaper in Az. Do you like it better in Az?

[Ilovethesun]

Originally Posted by nicoleeee

Actually I live in Pa but my sis lives in longwood Fla. we find that a bit to humid and also the cost of living is much cheaper in Az. Do you like it better in Az?

I like some things here and some in FL. I'm looking to buy a home here and there is so much Section 8 in all the neighborhoods that I'm having second thoughts. My electric bills in FL were alot less for the same size place I rent here. In FL, my average summer bill was no higher than $200. I don't think that the cost of living is less here. You pay more for some things and less for others. Do you have a job lined up because unemployment is rediculously high here?

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Ilovethesun

Nicolee, My place is 1200 sq feet and I keep it around 78-79. I'm going to say my bills average $400 in the warmer months which can be several months.

It can still get pretty hot here even though the humidity is less than FL. The sun beats down on you and can be unbearable at times. We see temps around 115 at times.

Are you moving from FL? I lived there for 7 years. I think even though we don't get the humidity here, it can feel hotter than FL. Just my 2 cents.

LOL! Close the windows.

To OP:

A 1300 sf house will cost about 100-150 to cool (cost above low use winter month) in July and August. It will ramp up starting in May and go back down after September. Be sure to get a time of day rate.

[ji603]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

LOL! Close the windows.

To OP:

A 1300 sf house will cost about 100-150 to cool (cost above low use winter month) in July and August. It will ramp up starting in May and go back down after September. Be sure to get a time of day rate.

That's actually a pretty good ballpark. Our electric runs about 60-70 in the winter (gas furnace) and gets to be about 250 in the peak of summer.

Much less attic insulation than I'd like, and builder-standard windows. CHEAP.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Ilovethesun

Nicolee, My place is 1200 sq feet and I keep it around 78-79. I'm going to say my bills average $400 in the warmer months which can be several months.

If you are paying that much, there is either something wrong with your unit, or it is old and ineffecient, or your windows/doors are not airtight. In that size house, at that temperature, that's too high. A friend is living in a rental that needs work on the windows and he has bills not quite that high for a bigger house. Get that checked out before next summer!