Anyone else running the A/C in January? (sales, home sales)

[HX_Guy]

I gotta ask...why is every one so bent on REFUSING to turn on the AC/heat? Is it out of principle or financial?

If it's hot...then I turn the AC on, if it's cold, I turn the heat on. That's what they are for.

[observer53]

In the summer, my thermostat will be set at 82. With ceiling fans in most rooms, that's all I need. If 82 is too warm for you, that's ok too. You are the first person I've ever heard of turning the AC on in January. You shouldn't be surprised at being a very small minority though.

[Zippyman]

Originally Posted by HX_Guy

All the houses around us are 1 story so no one is providing any shade and we have a few trees in the backyard but they aren't very big yet and are pretty far from the house as well.

The attic has very very little insulation, I've been up there several times and it's like 6" of fluff up there.

If you figure an r value of "3" per inch of insulation, that would be a total "r value" of 18. That isn't enough. I believe the current requirement for new homes is r38, the savings drop off fairly significantly after that.

Having 10" of blown-in cellulose installed in our 1600 sq foot home cost around $800, but it made a huge difference in comfort & our bills are much lower than our neighbors.

[Zippyman]

Originally Posted by HX_Guy

I gotta ask...why is every one so bent on REFUSING to turn on the AC/heat? Is it out of principle or financial?

If it's hot...then I turn the AC on, if it's cold, I turn the heat on. That's what they are for.

I can't argue that, but it's a point of pride for me to walk the neighborhood and hear the (neighbor's) heat-pumps screaming while mine sits idle.

With better windows, more insulation, solar screens etc, my heat pump doesn't need to kick on as early in the morning in the hotter months, and it shuts off sooner.

And my thermostat is set way lower than my neighbors.

I spent a lot of time & money tightening up my house & picking the right equipment so I don't have to choose between comfort and food.

[HX_Guy]

Sounds like I need to look into more insulation in the attic, definitely a future project.

[Desertspiritsteve]

A well insulated house can get hot and stuffy in January. I'll turn on my cooling occasionally in Jan at night if the house gets stuffy. I try to turn it off after a cool off so I don't fall asleep and wake up frozen. I try to keep the temp at around 74 degrees year round. I don't have summer and winter bedding. I sleep under a blanket in the summer.

[HX_Guy]

Originally Posted by Desertspiritsteve

I don't have summer and winter bedding. I sleep under a blanket in the summer.

Same here...same bedding all year, which is actually a pretty light quilt. I like the heat at 75 at night (wife likes it at 76, I usually win. ). During the day I like the AC at 77 in the summer and in winter, when needed, 79 seems to be ok for some reason.

[CheyDee]

I had to shut off our thermostat. It is set to 70 and will deliver whatever it needs, (either heat or air), to maintain that temperature. We enjoy being able to let the "fresh" air in and air the house out. I didn't want the a/c to kick on when the inside temp rose to a little above 70 - especially with doors open. I really dislike feeling I am paying to air condition most of the town.

[Pink Jazz]

With our Fulton Energy Star-rated home, there is no need to run the AC at this time.

[Ponderosa]

Just turned mine on. It got up to 73 in the house today and that is just too hot for sleeping this time of year.