'Supercooling' method is not economical (Phoenix: homes, drywall, mold)

[veritased]

Yes I am not considering wear and tear, which we should.

Just considering in my op, the kWh cost overall.

[ibarrio]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

You need to be on a demand-based TOS plan with a well-insulated house to get the benefit of pre-cooling.

Agree, it works and has saved me on average about $200 per month in the summer. We have a brand new system in a well insulated house though. Our air guy said it's fine, that he goes as a low as 65 during the night at his house.

[veritased]

I just visited a new model home in Cave Creek, and I saw that they had a 2x6 based exterior wall, with this semi-rigid closed cell foam filling the void. So, wow, that seems hyper insulative.

However, what if you had to run a new outlet or do any work behind the wall. Not that roll insulation or blown in is a cake walk, but it seems like foam wall insulation could be a royal pain the arse if you had to do any work.

Foam ceiling I think would be also a potential work repair problem?

[hikernut]

Originally Posted by veritased

I just visited a new model home in Cave Creek, and I saw that they had a 2x6 based exterior wall, with this semi-rigid closed cell foam filling the void. So, wow, that seems hyper insulative.

However, what if you had to run a new outlet or do any work behind the wall. Not that roll insulation or blown in is a cake walk, but it seems like foam wall insulation could be a royal pain the arse if you had to do any work.

Foam ceiling I think would be also a potential work repair problem?

Our house has foam insulation, and it has a conditioned attic. So the sprayed foam in the attic is right up against the roof. There are a couple of nice things about that arrangement. First, the attic is a lot cooler than it would be with the insulation right against the ceiling drywall. And second, all of the fixtures in the ceiling are easily accessed.

Yes, doing any work in the exterior walls would be a pain. I imagine I’d have to cut out a lot of drywall. Thankfully that hasn’t come up, yet!

[veritased]

hikernut, do you have foam in the exterior walls, too?

[hikernut]

Originally Posted by veritased

hikernut, do you have foam in the exterior walls, too?

Yup. 2x6 exterior walls with sprayed-in foam insulation. Pretty efficient.

[DougStark]

If you want super efficient, look into geothermal heat pump systems. But I suspect most suburban lots are too small for the underground loops required, so never mind

[veritased]

DougStark, one variable of efficiency function is undesired ambient heat transfer through the walls.
I would believe the spray in foam is more insulative than any form of fiberglass insulation.
How much better, though? 2X?

[Potential_Landlord]

I don't know how people can super-cool from 3-8, 5 hours. Our house warms up 1.5 F per hour starting from 74 F we would end up at 81.5ish F. Just horrible even thinking about it.

[ibarrio]

Originally Posted by Potential_Landlord

I don't know how people can super-cool from 3-8, 5 hours. Our house warms up 1.5 F per hour starting from 74 F we would end up at 81.5ish F. Just horrible even thinking about it.

We don't, 3-8 is the peak hours. We super-cool from 8pm until 3pm at 69 degrees.