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We are renters and each summer our electricity bill jumps to around $250. We'd like to try and combat this by installing a wi-fi accessible thermostat. This would allow us to turn off the AC when we leave the house, and turn it back on when we head home so the house is cool when we enter it.
Would we need to gain our landlord's permission before switching out our old thermostat? And the other thing I am concerned about is whether it would become property of the landlord. Our lease does say that any alterations made become part of the property itself, but if we keep the old thermostat, it can be switched back out when we move.
I don't have a problem contacting our landlord, but I wanted to get the general feeling from the landlords here. If it's a resounding 'heck no, don't even think about it', then I wouldn't want to waste his or our time!
Yes, you will need to contact the landlord as changing thermostats requires adjustments to wiring. The landlord may want an electrician to do any of that kind of work.
Don't turn your AC when you leave the house, raise the temp to 80-82. When you turn the unit off and allow the interior of the home to heat up the unit has to work harder to cool it down.
And yes, you need your landlord's permission to install a thermostat so make sure you get that in writing before doing anything.
You don't say where in Florida you are or what kind of unit you live in, but your electric rate in the summer is directly linked to the outside temp and temp you set the AC. If your AC is set below 78 and it's in the 90s, you're making that unit work much too hard. You also need to take in account the size and age of the AC unit.
If your AC is set below 78 and it's in the 90s, you're making that unit work much too hard. You also need to take in account the size and age of the AC unit.
lol, this made me laugh. It's 105 in Phoenix right now & my a/c is set @71. If the wife's not around, I sometimes crank it down to 68.
If your AC is set below 78 and it's in the 90s, you're making that unit work much too hard. You also need to take in account the size and age of the AC unit.
I don't care what temp it is outside, my thermostat is never set above 71. I came home one night and the AC was broken and it was 77 in the house. I actually paid the after-hours cost to get it fixed that night; as I wasn't sleeping in a house that was approaching 80 degrees.
That's why you have a High electric bill. Your bill going to triple if you turn it off then try to bring it down to 68 You can also Blow it up! A/C that is! My neighbor played that game..
lol, this made me laugh. It's 105 in Phoenix right now & my a/c is set @71. If the wife's not around, I sometimes crank it down to 68.
How high is your bill? I leave mine at 77 and 78 during peak and at 2200 sq ft I run above 300 in the summer. Phoenix area native I find anything below 77 to be too cold when its running, which is almost constantly in the middle of the summer.
lol, this made me laugh. It's 105 in Phoenix right now & my a/c is set @71. If the wife's not around, I sometimes crank it down to 68.
yeah, but you're not complaining about your bill. I too keep my AC low, usually 72, and it's reflected in my bill. I could pay less, but I like a cool house.
I don't care what temp it is outside, my thermostat is never set above 71. I came home one night and the AC was broken and it was 77 in the house. I actually paid the after-hours cost to get it fixed that night; as I wasn't sleeping in a house that was approaching 80 degrees.
Oh, I totally understand and agree with you. My AC is set at 72. The local electric companies suggest 78 as a good temp to keep the bill reasonable. Anything below 78 jacks the bill.
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