If you could pick only AC OR central heating, which would you pick if you lived in this climate.. (hot, average)

[Tia 914]

I spent time in that city, and wouldn't see any need for AC. Although I wasn't there in the winter, I might want heat.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

The poll said central heating, not that you couldn't use the occasional space heater, so I went with A/C. You can easily and quickly warm up a room somewhere like Glendale. But, on days that are too hot, there is no relief. I like it cool, but hate to be too warm, so A/C for me, please.

[Slowpoke_TX]

Originally Posted by ABrandNewWorld

If you could only have either AC OR central heating but not both, which would you pick if you lived in this climate?

A/C, to keep temperature and humidity under control. Who on God's green earth would want to live in the LA area without A/C?

In-room gas heaters will be more than sufficient for the mild SoCal winters.

[galaxyhi]

I don't see why it is a Either/or issue, unless you can't afford both.
Unless there is A LAW against fireplaces and space heaters.

I live in upstate NY, we have:
~Central heating {oviously}
~humidifier for when heat runs {heat dries the air}
~2 window A/Cs: one 13000BTU humongus one for main living/kitchen area, One smaller 6000BTU for the MBR.
~DEhumifier for those damp days {spring/fall/summer}
~Large room air filters.

This keeps us comfortable, and I am asthmatic and we have seasonal allergies that change with the seasons.
It is therefore important we keep the house at as near a constant temp/humidity/clean air as possible.
It's enough that I have to deal with the outside weather. I want my home to be comfortable, too.

BUT: if I had to choose one, I'd pick the A/C, as I can always put on extra clothes for it being "chilly" there. I can't do much to cool down in the heat waves record high temps, though.

[divisionbyzero0]

Type of house?
Typical Mediterannean/tropical (keeps the heat out) or typical northern european (keeps the heat in)?

[nei]

What I'd want for a house in that climate is one with thick walls, to prevent fast warm-ups or cool-downs since the climate doesn't stay at extreme temperatures for long. For the summer, good window placement to allow a cross-breeze would be important as well as shading that would block the highest sun angles (but let in the sun at lower, winter angles). For the summer, as long as it stays at the average temperature the inside is fine, open the windows in the evening to let out any heated outside air, close in the middle of the day. In the winter, the house at the average daily temperature would be chilly but human movement activity heats up a house by a bit as well as any sun.

Good home design matters a lot, rather than just tossing articial heating and cooling unnecessarily and then the house doesn't need to be closed up. So I'd prefer good house design and maybe a space heater for the bedroom for cold snaps. It would need to well shaded to stay comfy in the summer, especially during heat waves.

[Max96]

AC. Its winters are roughly equal to our September and May (except that its climate has a bit cooler lows) and we don't use central heating in that months.

[cBach]

Heating for winter nights. The summer nights are cool enough to sleep well.

[Pincho-toot]

A.C.

Here in MN you don't need hearing yet if temps are above 40 IMO. My house only has central heating. Glendale winter days are like mild mild fall days up here.

[saibot]

I live in that general area and we get along fine without either. But if I could choose just one, it would be a/c. There is a week or two every summer when it would be nice to have a/c. Cold is never a problem, just put on a sweater and some socks.