Spring weather & A/C - most efficient use?

[ChristyMarie]

So spring has arrived. Yay! This also means the the temperatures are changing minute by minute. Yesterday I had all the windows open and it was beautiful in here - until about 5pm. It got up to about 77 (even with ceiling fans on) and just would not cool off for sleeping so I ended up turning on the a/c. It took about 2 hours to cool down but it was running constantly for that time period.

I have all casement windows so I cannot put a fan in the windows.

Now today it is going to be in the 50's all morning and not get warmer until later. Do I turn off the a/c and open the windows then turn it back on when it gets too warm? Or do you let it maintain a constant temp all day so it doesn't have to work so hard at night?

[canuckgal]

Originally Posted by ChristyMarie

Now today it is going to be in the 50's all morning and not get warmer until later. Do I turn off the a/c and open the windows then turn it back on when it gets too warm? Or do you let it maintain a constant temp all day so it doesn't have to work so hard at night?

We're thinking of putting in an HRV, but also have a central AC. We run it very rarely. Our HRV dealer ( in terms of talking about humidity and indoor air quality) says your AC is supposed to help with that too...NOT to leave your windows open, and basically to run it all the time, so as not to bring humidity in.

Aack! I am going to have to do some more research and am really still trying to wrap my head around that one, thinking about my electrical bill!!!!!

[cappuccinosmom]

When we had AC, when I knew it was going to get into the 80's that day, I'd shut the windows and run it.

Otherwise, I left it off. Can you put in some window fans and use them to circulate some cool evening air before bedtime?

[jentilla]

Right now it is sunny and 81 outside. Inside my house is a cool 66. We have a brick house built in 55.' I keep the doors, windows, and blinds closed during the day and about 6-7 tonight I will open them and leave them open until bed. I will leave my kitchen windows open all night since they are on the north & east side of our home and will cool off the most. In the morning I will shut everything up at 9 or 10 am. Upstairs the temp is 76 and I will also leave those windows open during the night. I am very comfortable, but make it a habit to play with the natural cooling abilities of the house. We are also spray foaming the attic spaces of the upstairs to help with the heat gain there. We have ceiling fans in every room, but have no need for those until late May/June. I will only turn on the air when the house temp is above 82. Then I will have it on 82 and run ceiling fans.

[SleeplessMommy]

Originally Posted by ChristyMarie

Now today it is going to be in the 50's all morning and not get warmer until later. Do I turn off the a/c and open the windows then turn it back on when it gets too warm? Or do you let it maintain a constant temp all day so it doesn't have to work so hard at night?

open the windows! it will be just fine

for the long term:
plant trees
increase attic insulation
light color roof shingles
window shades and awnings, especially south side of house
hrv/erv (heat recovery ventilation) ... will reduce ac usage

[dachshundqueen]

Gable vent fans to blow hot air out of the attics helped us tremendously and they're not terribly expensive.

Liz

[zebra15]

I live in AZ and it gets very hot here. Today is April 1st, sort-a the official turn-on day for A/C. Our general rule is once the A/c gets turned on it stays on - probably until sometime between mid october to early november.

Some other things we do to keep the house cooler, keep the blinds closed to keep the blazing sun out. We keep the ceiling fans on 24/7, usually on the low setting. We also have some floor fans and they run when needed.

I try not to cook or bake during the hot part of the day (2-7pm)

WE need to get a sun shade for the patio to help block more sun from the house.

Also cleaning or changing your air filter on a monthly basis helps with efficiency.