PLFXpert 0 #26 June 21, 2006 QuoteWe have one of those fancy programmable thermostats too, and it is awesome. OK, warning, BLONDE moment: When we bought the place, ours had one of those, too. Good Lord, I couldn't program it to save my life---it had all these special features like nightime, daytime, weekends, set for being gone, etc. It drove me nuts! It had "regular" and "special" and I have no idea what I was doing wrong, but it would always revert back to the previous owner's settings I ripped (OK, removed) the damn thing from the wall and put in an old timey move-it-to-the-left-or-right one. I love it and I'm much happier nowPaint me in a corner, but my color comes back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brains 2 #27 June 21, 2006 QuoteI was thinking of a more beefy unit that blows colder and thus runs less. The 1.5-ton units they built this complex with just don't do the job and thus rarely shut off. More than likely there is something wrong with the system if it runs and the temperature still rises. However, in your climate you want a longer run time to remove humidity. The longer the system runs the more humidity it will remove. The problem with putting in a larger unit is that it will short cycle. Meaning it will cool quickly, and shut off but the humidity level will actually increase making it feel warmer than it actually is. Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
goodnplentygirl 0 #28 June 21, 2006 Mine was defaulting to like, 84 and we didnt really realize it until recently, with the hot weather and all. But it would turn on at like 5 am to 84 and I would wake up at 6 am drenched in sweat. So I had to fiddle with it to figure out how to change the settings. But now that I have changed all the settings we stay very comfortable my body, my choice Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slug 1 #29 June 21, 2006 Quote Mine was defaulting to like, 84 and we didnt really realize it until recently, with the hot weather and all. But it would turn on at like 5 am to 84 and I would wake up at 6 am drenched in sweat. So I had to fiddle with it to figure out how to change the settings. But now that I have changed all the settings we stay very comfortable Hi We try and keep all instructions for future use But sometimes its easier to go to the manufactures websight and find the instructions there. We live in a area that usually diesn't need A/C. But once in a while we will get a spike into the 90's and the fans just won't do it. Solution: window A/C for one bedroom, use as required. Central A/C in a large home isn't the most efficient thing to have unless your using the entire house. But with a central located thermostat to bad so sad even if you zoned off some of the unused rooms you might be screwed. Rental property Owners don't care about your electric bill R.I.P. R.I.P. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick 67 #30 June 21, 2006 We just installed a new a/c about a year ago, we have new windows and new duct work and our bill is still close to $300. All my appliances are electric and the hot tub probably adds a bit to the bill. Maybe I should see about adding more insulation in the attic.You can't be drunk all day if you don't start early! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #31 June 21, 2006 Yowza! That just doesn't sound right Definitely call the energy survey guy and he/she can probably pin-point what might be the problem. On a personal note I can't WAIT to have a new A/C. Ours, I think, was the original when the house was built 16 years ago. It runs like a champ, though and it isn't loud, but I'm used to completely silent ones. I'd also like the ducts either cleaned or replaced, but will do everything at once, after this A/C finally dies. We buy the best filters and change them often, as I have minor allergies to my numerous pets, so that is a must (and vacuuming the tiled floors and lint-rollering every day, too), but I still think the ducts must be dirty b/c I dust every week and there's always an entire Grab-it full of dust on the cloth when I'm finished. For someone as clean as me, I find it very hard to believe it gets that dusty It's got to be the air ducts. Anywho....I've got my "new A/C" fund all stashed away and have my eye on a few beauts for when the time comesPaint me in a corner, but my color comes back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gforce 0 #32 June 21, 2006 Personally, I'm NOT into giving money to the power companies. Here's a few cheap(er) suggestions that don't involve a bunch of money or sweat. 1) Close the blinds that point toward direct sunlight. In other words, keep the sun out of the place. If you're facing east/west, don't let the heat in to start with. Sure, sun is good, but if you're not home, close them up. 2) Get the programmable thermostat. They have complex ones, but they have simple ones too. You can overide them if you're home. Don't let the a/c crank while you're not home, especially if you're gone 10 hours during the heat of the day. That's just throwing money away for nothing. 3) buy a few fans and keep the thermostat at 78 while you're home. Circulate the air and that'll keep it cool, especially at night. 4) buy a small toaster oven to cook with or cook outside during the summer. It amazes me how many people heat up an oven to cook a roast in the summer while cranking the a/c to keep the place cool at the same time. You could develop clouds! I hope this helps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 867 #33 June 21, 2006 Think that's bad? Wait till you get used to the heat and then the temperature "dips" to 70 (amazingly we call them "cold fronts" in FL when the temp drops like 3 degrees!) and you're "freezing"!!! Turn the air up ... start getting used to the heat ... beats hell out of the damn winters up north! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonstark 8 #34 June 21, 2006 Get a water bed. Spend more time at the DZ and springs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brains 2 #35 June 21, 2006 Quotebut I still think the ducts must be dirty b/c I dust every week and there's always an entire Grab-it full of dust on the cloth when I'm finished. For someone as clean as me, I find it very hard to believe it gets that dusty It's got to be the air ducts. Leaking ductwork is one source for dust. However, every light fixture, switch, plug, plumbing pipe, window, door, exhaust fan, ceiling fan, etc. etc. etc. are literally HOLES in your house that let in dust, dirt, pollens, molds, etc. If and when you replace your system consider getting a whole home air cleaner to go with it and sealing up all the little cracks and crevices in you home while you are at it. Adding return air grills is never a bad idea either. Also, when you get estimates and stuff i would be happy to go over it with you, i can't do anything about price but i can explain any brand or product. Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,085 #36 June 21, 2006 1) Cover any windows that face the sun during the day (i.e. all but the north ones.) White outside covering is best. 2) Make sure all filter screens are clean. 3) If possible arrange your kitchen so your refrig is near a vent to the _outside._ (refrig coils give off a lot of heat too.) 4) Get a programmable thermostat. Leave it off during the day. 5) Consider a power saver. They're power-factor correctors that help induction motors (like the kind in A/C compressors) run more efficiently. 6) If you can get to the A/C unit, consider installing a spray system. It's a system that sprays water on the condenser coils, thus making the system work less. 7) Switch to all compact flourescent lights. They put out less heat than incandescents, and use less power too. 8) Unplug everything you're not using, even if it 'seems' off (like computers.) Things that take power generate heat. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brierebecca 0 #37 June 21, 2006 Tell me about it. We live in Tallahassee, it's supposed to be 95 today, and my car has no air conditioning. Oh, the things we do to be able to jump. Brie"Ive seen you hump air, hump the floor of the plane, and hump legs. You now have a new nickname: "Black Humper of Death"--yardhippie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #38 June 21, 2006 QuoteLeaking ductwork is one source for dust. However, every light fixture, switch, plug, plumbing pipe, window, door, exhaust fan, ceiling fan, etc. etc. etc. are literally HOLES in your house that let in dust, dirt, pollens, molds, etc. If and when you replace your system consider getting a whole home air cleaner to go with it and sealing up all the little cracks and crevices in you home while you are at it. Billy (my hunny) actually knows a lot about building houses & maintaining them as well. In fact, every member of his old skydiving team is a big contractor business owner now. Before we moved in he had a big crew out here doing all of the above and then some. The only thing we haven't done is the duct work...which might also be b/c he seems to know every contractor in every field except A/C. I like a little pollen and mold spores, though Keeps the immune system in shape Thus, I refuse to get one of those air cleaner thingies. I spend a lot of time in my home---I work from home---I don't want it to feel like a Bio-Dome But... QuoteAlso, when you get estimates and stuff i would be happy to go over it with you, i can't do anything about price but i can explain any brand or product. Thank you so much! I just might take you up on thatAnd thank you so much for the tips/advice. You are so sweetPaint me in a corner, but my color comes back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RkyMtnHigh 0 #39 June 21, 2006 Mine was $140 last month for 1300 sq ft. I keep the shades closed and ceiling fans on and the tstat at 78. _________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #40 June 21, 2006 Quoteand my car has no air conditioning. Oh, the things we do to be able to jump. When I met my hunny, he had this old beat-up bronco that was thrashed inside & out and no A/C---I rode around in that thing many times---after just once, though, and he knew I had to be in lovePaint me in a corner, but my color comes back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #41 June 21, 2006 QuoteI set the thing at 79 in the day and 74 at night. It loses ground to about 82 by the time I get home around 4 or 5 . I hung some roller-shades on my south-facing windows, hopefully that'll help. Sounds like you need some AC Help -I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #42 June 21, 2006 QuoteMine was $140 last month for 1300 sq ft. I keep the shades closed and ceiling fans on and the tstat at 78. As previously mentioned, ours (for a larger space, though) has been running about $180/month, and therm set to keep it about 74 degrees. But, I open ALL my window shades ALL the way daily. I LOVE natural light. I have orchids, too, that like a good dose of sun and I love seeing out into the yard at my flowers and plants, and the neighbor's fat cat that always lays in our front window I think, though, as I said before, the tinting has been phenomenal, and is really the reason I can do that w/out having the energy bill go through the roof. I highly recommend it!Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt1215 0 #43 June 21, 2006 Thanks for all the useful 411 on energy conservation, hopefully will help my next power bill. I'm in an upstairs SWW corner apartment and the sun just kills me in the afternoon. I just hung some heavy vinyl roller-shades over my windows to draw during the day (under mini-blinds), and it's already cooler. The apt came with 2 ceiling fans, the one over my bed runs full-blast at night. I bought a programmable thermostat a while back that's yet to be programmed. Probably the biggest factor to my big power bill is I finally got maintenance to fix my a/c last month. It actually blows cold now, so I run it a lot more. Guess I should turn the temp up some . They came 4 or 5 times, made sure it was somewhat cooling the air, then ok'd it . It took me buying an a/c guage, checking the charge myself, quizzing the maintenance guy what it should be, then raising hell with management . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gforce 0 #44 June 21, 2006 Can you figure out a way to redirect a neighbors vent into your place? Just a thought. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 867 #45 June 21, 2006 window tint....self-sticking that can be removed when you move out... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #46 June 21, 2006 QuoteQuoteI did that a few months ago, but too damn hot for that now. I'm seeing damn-near 90 every day . Never move to Arizona. 90's are like winter there...ask jumper03. We're in the mid 100's now! But your bill is high... We have similar settings for day and night, and we paid 160 for last month... For a 2400 sqft house.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
divnswoop 0 #47 June 21, 2006 QuoteWe're in the mid 100's now! LOL I was driving down Oracle last night at 8PM and saw the outside temp.......103!! DRRRRR How do you live like this for 5 months? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broke 0 #48 June 21, 2006 Just aclimate yourself to the heat.Divot your source for all things Hillbilly. Anvil Brother 84 SCR 14192 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #49 June 21, 2006 QuoteHow do you live like this for 5 months? I dunno man... Its my 1st summer here! And I cycle to/from work 2-3 times a week... To is OK.. low 80's... But the ride home is brutal! Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick 67 #50 June 21, 2006 QuoteQuoteHow do you live like this for 5 months? I dunno man... Its my 1st summer here! And I cycle to/from work 2-3 times a week... To is OK.. low 80's... But the ride home is brutal! ------------------------------------------------------------ it took me a few summers to get used to the Florida heat when moved here I think it was easier then because I was working outside every day it is worse now I just go from a/c to a/cYou can't be drunk all day if you don't start early! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
