Air conditioning? Most efficient way to run it please??
Question:We live in a 3200SF home that luckily has separate AC for upstairs and downstairs. But AC is so expensive to run. Someone told me to set it at a set temperature, like 60 maybe. They say that's cheaper than turning it on for a few hours a day. Is this true? I study at home all day and its soooo hot! This fan is useless too!
Answers:
You are lucky to have 2 level or zone control.
I would do the following:
Pick a room that you want to study in.
Ideally it is the same area that the thermostat is in.
As well ,if possible ,it should be the lower level.
Hot air rises,so if you do it on the upper level,
the hot air from below will rise to the upper level.
Open the vent there if it isn't already.
Set the temp for the zone you're in to a level that's comfortable.
Then close most or all of the other vents in that zone.
They never close completely,which is good because you need some circulation,
but the bulk of the cooling will go to the reduced area you're in.
Obviously this does not work as well in an open concept house,but you will reduce some of the AC expense.
First of all 60 is waaay to cold. I'm very hot natured but I have managed to get used to 76 or 77 in the day time. At night - I sleep under a ceiling fan and I manage to set it on 80. Heat rises so the upstairs is going to be hotter. If you only run one unit remember to shut the doors to that room so the cold doens't "escape" Shut your drapes, doors etc so sunlight doesn't heat your house up.
Sounds like a good system. Central a/c units for residential use are not intended to operate at 60 degrees.
Assuming you have window coverings (blinds, drapes, curtains) it is best to keep them shut during the day to minimize the heat/sun from coming in. A central air system operates efficiently at around 75-78 degrees and keep the home comfortable. It is best if be turned on during the cooler hours and left alone. When the high heat arrives (Noon to 4:00pm) the house should remain comfortable. If not, dial the T-Stat down a couple degrees. When no one is home and the house is shut up, many people keep the T-Stat set around 78. Once it has occupants (we all produce body heat) turn it down to the 75 level.
By following the above, the unit should keep everyone comfortable and not be costly to operate. When the units must start up during the mid-day and the house is already hot the a/c must work hard to remove all the moisture and cool the place. That can get expensive and gobble up electricity.
Since cool air does not rise like heat, use some fans in the room to circulate the air.
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