Community Chat

[CJC]

Have never set AC lower than 80 in any of the homes we've lived in, in various states. Here in Florida a setting of 80 pulls the humidity out without changing the actual temperature, which we love. For us it's only high humidity that makes us uncomfortable. I freeze to death when I'm in stores and restaurants...way too cold for me. 

[DrBabs]

I'm in Dallas. Thermostat set to 76 (78 would be fine if I didn't want to move around much!). Ceiling fans on. Shutters/blinds closed during hottest part of the day. At night I have a small rechargeable fan on my bedside table aimed at my head/torso. I sleep hot no matter what so the ceiling fan and bedside table fan really help!

 My Dad was an engineer with Lennox. Never recommended closing off rooms/vents -- the central HVAC system is calibrated for specific air load and balance. The AC operates in its most optimal state if there is a 20 degree variance between outside and inside temperature. Knowing that's not always possibhle I have found that 76 works well for this house during most of the Texas summer. 

[shoptilyadropagain]

I keep mine at 75.  I have fans for the times it gets "stuffy" or we have really hot temps w/ high humidity.  I also sleep with a small fan in the bedroom.

[manny2]

I keep both heat and ac on 70. 

[Meowingkitty]

I'm in Arizona and keep it around 77-78. Any lower and it would never shut off. We have fans on all night. Some companies recommend pre cooling your house where you run it for several hours non stop at say 67 when the energy rates are lower then when the prices rise mid day you shut it off and you can go several hours without it turning on. We tried that and we froze in the mornings. I just leave it and forget it. 

[Suzeecat]

I live in MI and use the AC for dehumidification as well as cooling.  I have been keeping the thermostat at 76 during the day and 74 at night.  Our nights have been in the 50s-60s so when I lower to thermostat before bed, it may run for about an hour, but the house cools off on its own after that and I have been waking up to about 70-71 to start my day.  I agree that one can get used to a warmer temp (especially if it's dehumidified), and I probably will increase the temps as the summer wears on.  And yes, fans help tremendously, although my furnace is extremely efficient so I don't worry too much about a degree or two.

[depglass]

Block off the registers for rooms you don't want cooled.  So simple.  All the AC'd air will go where you want it and your bill should go down.

[chrystaltree]

If it were up to me, Id only use ac when it hits 90 degrees.  Fans are enough for me but I don't live alone.  We keep the ac at 73.

[Kachina624]

@rockygems123    Yes, all the AC and plumbing companies service coolers. I have a serviceman out in the Spring to start it up and in the Fall to shut it down.   I'm surprised they work well in Colorado since they require a very dry,  arid climate to operate efficiently.  They are very cheap to operate, less than $50. a month.

[Kachina624]

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@Biftu wrote:

Evaporated coolers work best in dry climates such as the west coast.  The east coast needs air conditioners due to humidity.  Running air conditioners can be quite expensive.  I set mine to 78 and use fans.

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@Biftu    Anywhere along the coast would probably be too humid for an evaporative cooler.  The inland desert areas would be more appropriate.  My area is classified as high desert and it works great.