Combo meal of a lot. 35 solar panels which covers the entire back roof and garage, installed 2014. They block the sun from baking that part of the shingles/roof. Radiant barrier underneath the plywood/shingles in the attic. A shit ton of insulation in the attic. Replaced all the windows with dual pane, with gas, thermally broken aluminum. Metal doors for exterior doors + security storm door. All inside doors are solid core, but I doubt that helps HVAC much. Thermostat I set by feel. I have industrial ceiling fans in the most common used rooms and they are on from April until December. My kWh bill last month was $79. In TX that is dirt cheap but that’s the panels working for me.
Living in TX, it’s almost that time of year where high 90’s and 100 degrees are the standard in the daytime. July and August are literally Satan’s ass hole here.
What am I doing? I'm talking to an empty telephone
June 04, 2025, 06:28 PM
old rugged cross
Thanks guys. Yes feeling like the next 3-1/2 months will seem like torture. Fortunately it is only 3+ months.
"Practice like you want to play in the game"
June 05, 2025, 05:41 AM
sourdough44
I like to see how long I can go in the Spring & Fall, no heat or A/C. That mostly involves tactical use of windows to warm or cool the house.
My mother will have heat on in the morning, even though that day will get to 77. I don’t rock the boat when visiting, sometimes move the thermostat a few degrees when no one is watching.
My next utility bill should be low.
June 05, 2025, 07:30 AM
FLKev
Living in Orlando is pretty brutal over the summer time. I had a Bosch variable speed A/C heat pump system installed about 2 yrs ago and it has made all the difference in the world. It runs all the time but at various speeds based on humidity. This unit lowered my A/C bill by about 20%. One year after I installed the Bosch system I installed a whole house dehumidifying system in the attic that attaches to the Bosch system This home dehumidifier drastically changed how we feel in the home. It keeps the humidity consistently at 45-47%, even when it is over 100 degrees and double the humidity outside.
The thing I love the most about this combination is that once you set it the temp and humidity will not fluctuate at all. My house is exactly the same 365 days and the system doesn't kick on and off and give you bursts of cold air or warm air. The temp/humidity is perfect every single day.
"It's gon' be some slow singing -n- flower bringing............ if my burglar alarm starts ringing"
June 05, 2025, 08:27 AM
old rugged cross
That sounds like a great system kev. Especially in high humidity areas. First I have heard of it.
But you still have to go outside once in a while
"Practice like you want to play in the game"
June 05, 2025, 08:34 AM
ridewv
quote:
Originally posted by old rugged cross: Thanks guys. Yes feeling like the next 3-1/2 months will seem like torture. Fortunately it is only 3+ months.
What area do you live where there's 3.5 months of torturous heat?
No car is as much fun to drive, as any motorcycle is to ride.
June 05, 2025, 09:35 AM
bendable
The lady downstairs is 96 y.o. this year she keeps her apt. At a toasty 84 degrees.
I have considered installing an old fashioned 14" x 14" floor Registar to open up this winter.
Safety, Situational Awareness and proficiency.
Neck Ties, Hats and ammo brass, Never ,ever touch'em w/o asking first
June 05, 2025, 10:13 AM
smlsig
quote:
Originally posted by RogueJSK:
quote:
Originally posted by 92fstech: so it might not work this year anyway. Our system was new when we bought the house 18 years ago
You're right at the end of the ~20 year usual lifespan of a HVAC system.
The small bit of good news is that new systems are typically significantly more efficient than the old ones they're replacing, so a portion of the cost of installing a new one is offset over time by lower electric bills.
THIS!!
As a former ENERGY STAR Platinum Builder the two biggest things you can do is to have more insulation in the attic ( R-50) and a highly efficient Heat Pump.
Many utilities will provide subsidies for new insulation and new Heat Pumps.
Also, you can claim federal tax credits for these improvements on your return.
------------------ Eddie
Our Founding Fathers were men who understood that the right thing is not necessarily the written thing. -kkina
June 05, 2025, 10:15 AM
smlsig
quote:
Originally posted by FLKev: Living in Orlando is pretty brutal over the summer time. I had a Bosch variable speed A/C heat pump system installed about 2 yrs ago and it has made all the difference in the world. It runs all the time but at various speeds based on humidity. This unit lowered my A/C bill by about 20%. One year after I installed the Bosch system I installed a whole house dehumidifying system in the attic that attaches to the Bosch system This home dehumidifier drastically changed how we feel in the home. It keeps the humidity consistently at 45-47%, even when it is over 100 degrees and double the humidity outside.
The thing I love the most about this combination is that once you set it the temp and humidity will not fluctuate at all. My house is exactly the same 365 days and the system doesn't kick on and off and give you bursts of cold air or warm air. The temp/humidity is perfect every single day.
We just had two Bosch systems installed in our vacation home. The variable speed system of these Bosch Systems is what sold us and we’ve been very happy with the results so far.
I believe that ours has a SEER 2 rating of about 19.
------------------ Eddie
Our Founding Fathers were men who understood that the right thing is not necessarily the written thing. -kkina
June 05, 2025, 01:26 PM
FLKev
quote:
Originally posted by smlsig:
quote:
Originally posted by FLKev: Living in Orlando is pretty brutal over the summer time. I had a Bosch variable speed A/C heat pump system installed about 2 yrs ago and it has made all the difference in the world. It runs all the time but at various speeds based on humidity. This unit lowered my A/C bill by about 20%. One year after I installed the Bosch system I installed a whole house dehumidifying system in the attic that attaches to the Bosch system This home dehumidifier drastically changed how we feel in the home. It keeps the humidity consistently at 45-47%, even when it is over 100 degrees and double the humidity outside.
The thing I love the most about this combination is that once you set it the temp and humidity will not fluctuate at all. My house is exactly the same 365 days and the system doesn't kick on and off and give you bursts of cold air or warm air. The temp/humidity is perfect every single day.
We just had two Bosch systems installed in our vacation home. The variable speed system of these Bosch Systems is what sold us and we’ve been very happy with the results so far.
I believe that ours has a SEER 2 rating of about 19.
Yes, they are EXCELLENT systems! Expensive, but worth every cent of the investment. The consistency year round has been amazing. They're very quiet when operating too.
"It's gon' be some slow singing -n- flower bringing............ if my burglar alarm starts ringing"
June 05, 2025, 01:28 PM
FLKev
quote:
Originally posted by old rugged cross: That sounds like a great system kev. Especially in high humidity areas. First I have heard of it.
But you still have to go outside once in a while
hahahaha Yes, but only for a dash to the car. I can't wait until I retire and I can just mess around in my yard with swim trunks on and no shirt w a beer in a a beer huggie and jump in the pool every so often to cool off while watching others folks go to work. LoL 8-10 more years seems like an eternity though.
"It's gon' be some slow singing -n- flower bringing............ if my burglar alarm starts ringing"
June 05, 2025, 01:33 PM
FLKev
quote:
Originally posted by old rugged cross: Thanks guys. Yes feeling like the next 3-1/2 months will seem like torture. Fortunately it is only 3+ months.
SUGGESTION: Buy a dehumidifier. It doesn't need to be the most expensive, fancy one available. $200-$300 will buy one that will keep a 400-500sq/ft space VERY comfortable. You'll have to set up a drain line or empty the system often if no drain line because of the humidity we experience in Central FL. It WILL make your home so much more comfortable. We "feel" hot because of humidity not temperature. (to a certain degree) Arizona vs Florida is a great example. Dry heat cooks you, but you aren't sweating. Humid temps like we have drench you and cook you.This message has been edited. Last edited by: FLKev,
"It's gon' be some slow singing -n- flower bringing............ if my burglar alarm starts ringing"
June 05, 2025, 01:35 PM
HRK
quote:
Originally posted by FLKev:
quote:
Originally posted by old rugged cross: That sounds like a great system kev. Especially in high humidity areas. First I have heard of it.
But you still have to go outside once in a while
hahahaha Yes, but only for a dash to the car. I can't wait until I retire and I can just mess around in my yard with swim trunks on and no shirt w a beer in a a beer huggie and jump in the pool every so often to cool off while watching others folks go to work. LoL 8-10 more years seems like an eternity though.
plus, we don't have to own snow removal equipment, have to salt the icy driveway, can go outside in a t-shirt and shorts with flip flops to start the car,
June 05, 2025, 02:01 PM
FLKev
quote:
Originally posted by HRK:
quote:
Originally posted by FLKev:
quote:
Originally posted by old rugged cross: That sounds like a great system kev. Especially in high humidity areas. First I have heard of it.
But you still have to go outside once in a while
hahahaha Yes, but only for a dash to the car. I can't wait until I retire and I can just mess around in my yard with swim trunks on and no shirt w a beer in a a beer huggie and jump in the pool every so often to cool off while watching others folks go to work. LoL 8-10 more years seems like an eternity though.
plus, we don't have to own snow removal equipment, have to salt the icy driveway, can go outside in a t-shirt and shorts with flip flops to start the car,
exactly
"It's gon' be some slow singing -n- flower bringing............ if my burglar alarm starts ringing"
June 05, 2025, 10:58 PM
Rey HRH
I have central a/c. I change the filter every 3 months. I have ceiling fans. In my office that runs hotter than the rest of the house, I bought a swamp cooler that I haven’t broken out yet this year.
"It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life – daily and hourly. Our answer must consist not in talk and meditation, but in right action and in right conduct. Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual." Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning, 1946.
June 06, 2025, 01:20 AM
corsair
For short-term fix, having a variety of popsicles and jello for dessert helps cool internal temps.
Not costly but good investments, install ceiling fans in the rooms you're in the most, at the very least get that hot air moving.
For more long-term fixes, upgrading windows, upgrading insulation in the attic/roof spaces, fans/vents to move the hot air from attic/spaces, maintaining/upgrading the AC unit, insuring ducting and airflow is free of obstructions.
June 06, 2025, 02:22 PM
TVzombie
I've added 12" batts of insulation, ridge vents, and solar screens on appropriate windows. To support the attic ventilation, I pulled off all the soffit vents and opened up the holes to the max that the vents would allow and reinstalled them. The builder cut small holes about a 1/3 of what they should be. -TVz
June 06, 2025, 02:37 PM
Sig2340
I went to wearing surfing shorts in the warmer months and now only use the AC when its over 90.
Nice is overrated
"It's every freedom-loving individual's duty to lie to the government." Airsoftguy, June 29, 2018
June 06, 2025, 03:16 PM
41
quote:
For short-term fix, having a variety of popsicles and jello for dessert helps cool internal temps. Wink
When grapes are on sale, I buy a big supply and freeze them for summer treats.
41
June 07, 2025, 10:09 PM
corsair
quote:
Originally posted by 41:
quote:
For short-term fix, having a variety of popsicles and jello for dessert helps cool internal temps. Wink
When grapes are on sale, I buy a big supply and freeze them for summer treats.
Good one.
I was recently in London and after several days of putting down pints of Ale, I got a Pimms Cup....I'm gonna start making those more often on those balmy days.
