Buying an old house-how old is too old? (Phoenix, Tucson: how much, costs)

[maverick974]

Not to over simplify things here but I saved a TON of money last summer by using a swamp cooler. For most of the summer it proved to be very effective in cooling the place and it did it for almost nothing but a little bit of water and a few cents a day in electricity.
The only time it didn't do the job was when the humidity climbed during the monsoons in the afternoon. Other than that, I was very happy with it.
Amazingly simple and very cost effective.

[jimj]

Originally Posted by DellNec

Not removing old window frames is like buying a new car with half of its parts already being used and old.

The window frame makes up 50% of the thermal value of the window. Plus many newer windows will not work properly in a 15 year old window frame. What about resealing the window frame membranes? Those don't last forever, they have a 20-30 year life span. How would you put in a vinyl window within an aluminum window frame?

I'm not saying it's a great idea nor am I saying it's something that I'd do, I wouldn't and didn't because I could afford not to. With that being said for someone who's in the position of tight funds and doesn't want to tear up the walls it is an alternative.

The insulation method you speak of never gets full consolidation. You can't get around the proper method of installing insulation PRIOR to drywall install. While it is better than not doing anything, drilling holes and blowing in cellulose will never result in proper full consolidation.

Here's the thing, of course insulating the house before the "rock" is up is the best way but we're talking about an old house where that's not possible so other than ripping out the walls blowing it in is pretty much the only other way.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by jimj

I'm not saying it's a great idea nor am I saying it's something that I'd do, I wouldn't and didn't because I could afford not to. With that being said for someone who's in the position of tight funds and doesn't want to tear up the walls it is an alternative.

Here's the thing, of course insulating the house before the "rock" is up is the best way but we're talking about an old house where that's not possible so other than ripping out the walls blowing it in is pretty much the only other way.

When I built houses in Tucson, we would furr over slump block. Insulation was an optional upgrade! Many people opted for the ceiling insulation but far fewer for walls. We also built some with siding panels over studs and they ALWAYS had batts and blown in R30 up top. That was 40 years ago though. When the oil embargo hit in the 80s, codes required insulation and the stucco and Styrofoam wall became the standard of construction. Any house built with stucco and foam undoubtedly has batts and Styrofoam plus R30 in the ceiling. Some homes have 2x6 walls, but it is not ubiquitous by any means even in new construction.

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by maverick974

Not to over simplify things here but I saved a TON of money last summer by using a swamp cooler. For most of the summer it proved to be very effective in cooling the place and it did it for almost nothing but a little bit of water and a few cents a day in electricity.
The only time it didn't do the job was when the humidity climbed during the monsoons in the afternoon. Other than that, I was very happy with it.
Amazingly simple and very cost effective.

Swamp coolers are mostly a Tucson thing. Very few people here in the Phoenix area use a swamp cooler as their only cooling source; more people use them for spring and fall cooling.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Andros 1337

Swamp coolers are mostly a Tucson thing. Very few people here in the Phoenix area use a swamp cooler as their only cooling source; more people use them for spring and fall cooling.

I think they are getting rare in newer construction in Tucson as well. I have one on my patio. I used to have a piggy back Goettl. Saved me a bundle and I love, just love, the smell of new aspen pads in early summer! Like the orange blossoms and flowers on Baseline, it is a part of Phoenix now lost.

[DellNec]

One of the reasons why swamp coolers are no longer being utilized in newer homes is because there has been a climate shift in Phoenix. The humidity levels in Phoenix are much higher and last for much longer than they did decades ago. People argue as to WHY, some blame the huge amount of outdoor pools, the golf courses and their water loads, residential homes installing grass, population growth, etc.

It does get humid in Phoenix from July - October and the humidity levels can be brutal at times. I believe all the above factors do play a role in why Phoenix gets so humid and stays humid longer than it did decades ago. Swamp coolers are a defunct method of cooling because Phoenix is no longer as "dry" as it was years ago.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by DellNec

One of the reasons why swamp coolers are no longer being utilized in newer homes is because there has been a climate shift in Phoenix. The humidity levels in Phoenix are much higher and last for much longer than they did decades ago. People argue as to WHY, some blame the huge amount of outdoor pools, the golf courses and their water loads, residential homes installing grass, population growth, etc.

It does get humid in Phoenix from July - October and the humidity levels can be brutal at times. I believe all the above factors do play a role in why Phoenix gets so humid and stays humid longer than it did decades ago. Swamp coolers are a defunct method of cooling because Phoenix is no longer as "dry" as it was years ago.

This is a common misconception. Had you researched it you would have found that increased pavement and rooftops and concrete from urbanization has actually reduced the humidity in the Phoenix area over the years. Subdivisions and streets and malls put much less water into the air than irrigated cotton and alfalfa fields.

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

This is a common misconception. Had you researched it you would have found that increased pavement and rooftops and concrete from urbanization has actually reduced the humidity in the Phoenix area over the years. Subdivisions and streets and malls put much less water into the air than irrigated cotton and alfalfa fields.

Exactly. According to weather stats that I have been reading, average humidity in Phoenix is actually LOWER than in Tucson, yet in Tucson swamp coolers are still very common on existing homes.

[pbenjamin]

Originally Posted by Andros 1337

Exactly. According to weather stats that I have been reading, average humidity in Phoenix is actually LOWER than in Tucson, yet in Tucson swamp coolers are still very common on existing homes.

Please provide a pointer to statistics that suggest Tucson is more humid than Phoenix.

[JoeC]

NOAA data - Phoenix Monsoon 2011

Tucson Monsoon 2011

At least for the 2011 monsoon, Tucson was more humid than Phoenix.
I'll try to track down data for the rest of the year.