Summer temps, air conditioning and what to expect... (Pacific: apartment complex, houses)

[TheOrca]

Originally Posted by elkotronics

Oh, Phoenix. Down towards my way somewhat. Skeeters and red hot sun!

Yup lol

[elkotronics]

Yup lol

We're not getting skeeters here in Alamo but we are starting to really warm up. Today my phone's weather report says a high of 88` but after that it's mid-to-upper 90's for the next 9 days.

[Podo944]

Originally Posted by TheOrca

I'm sick with bites - its phoenix arizona lol

I'm surprized Az has that many mosquitoes! Thought it was more the humid areas.

We'd get the occasional bites where we used to live in So. Cal. and I don't do well with those!
My hubby gets a bite and he itches for a day or two. I get 1 BITE and I'm itching for over a week, even longer sometimes 2 or 3 weeks!

However, I have learned a trick that seems to really help. I turn the hair dryer on low and hot and close it in on the bite as far as I can go without burning myself and it helps to reduce the affect of the bite! I read about this, and it actually seems to work for me! Then I put the usual anti itch cream on. JUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO BURN YOURSELF! Got too close a few times, but no damage.

But so far so good concerning skeeters here in Vancouver, and hopefully stays that way! I love that I can open the door and let the air in. My aunt in Houston Texas says they only get 2 days a year of "open window" weather.

[tylernt]

We're starting our third summer here without A/C, and here's the system we use: at night, put fans in the windows and run them on low all night so you wake up to a house in the mid-60s. A little chilly, but that's what sweats and hoodies are for. At dawn, CLOSE all the windows to keep the daytime heat OUT of the house. Closing up tight keeps the house cool until the evening, when it does get a little sweaty and we need shorts and ceiling fans to cope. But as soon as the outside temperature drops below the inside temperature (usually a little before sunset), open those windows back up and set the fans back up. Lather, rinse, repeat.


And for those of you considering portable A/C, the double vent kind is far superior. A single vent exhausts heat to the outside, but draws air from the interior, meaning hot air will infiltrate your house anywhere it can (imperfectly sealed windows, doors, bathroom vents, kitchen hoods, etc). A double vent A/C will pull outside air and vent outside air, which is a lot more efficient (i.e., cooler).

[TheOrca]

Originally Posted by tylernt

We're starting our third summer here without A/C, and here's the system we use: at night, put fans in the windows and run them on low all night so you wake up to a house in the mid-60s. A little chilly, but that's what sweats and hoodies are for. At dawn, CLOSE all the windows to keep the daytime heat OUT of the house. Closing up tight keeps the house cool until the evening, when it does get a little sweaty and we need shorts and ceiling fans to cope. But as soon as the outside temperature drops below the inside temperature (usually a little before sunset), open those windows back up and set the fans back up. Lather, rinse, repeat.


And for those of you considering portable A/C, the double vent kind is far superior. A single vent exhausts heat to the outside, but draws air from the interior, meaning hot air will infiltrate your house anywhere it can (imperfectly sealed windows, doors, bathroom vents, kitchen hoods, etc). A double vent A/C will pull outside air and vent outside air, which is a lot more efficient (i.e., cooler).

That's an effective approach even if you do use AC during the day as well

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by tylernt

We're starting our third summer here without A/C, and here's the system we use: at night, put fans in the windows and run them on low all night so you wake up to a house in the mid-60s....

We just flip a switch (Whole House Fan) moves a LOT of air!!! (hang on)
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/h...hole-house-fan

We also have a daylight basement (with full kitchen and laundry / living space), warm in winter, cool in summer. ALWAYS quiet!!! good for sleeping and reading and thinking.

[Coolair]

Portable air conditioners are a good option if you can place theem dirctely in your direction. If there are four to five family members then it is not oing to work.

[WestGuest]

Originally Posted by TheOrca

I don't ever heat or cool my house

Well yeah but you live in the ocean; how is that suppose to help the rest of us?




Seriously I would hope no AC is needed in the SW part of the state, but even Cathlamet had a 93 degree day last month. Things are getting warmer. (even the ocean Orca)

[Ruth4Truth]

C'mon,people! Instead of portables, window-units or fans (inadequate), take advantage of the NW's cheap electricity, and just get a combo furnace/AC unit. If your furnace is old, you can get a more efficient and compact one that combines with A/C to fit in the same space as the old furnace. It's more expensive at the outset, but your monthly bills will be lower than with a window unit or two. Window units consume a lot more electricity than central A/C.

And if you have a new house with an efficient furnace, I don't know what your best options would be for adding central A/C. Check with a heating/cooling specialist. Central A/C is bliss!

If you bought a house with an old oil furnace, you have my condolences. You should be saving up to switch it out for a gas furnace. You have a big project ahead of you.

[TheOrca]

I used AC this summer