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Message |
    
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 2048
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 3:50 pm: | 
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Alright, this is a "middle of the night " question. Hardly earth shattering. But which alternative might be most energy concious?? Have 2 a/c systems -- 1 upstairs, 1 downstairs.
I've observed -- running the upstairs a/c to a reasonable temp, the downstairs one doesn't need to come on much at all -- except once cooking. (I'm guessing most of the cool air drops, hot air rises to 2nd floor)
OTOH -- if I turn the upstairs one off, then the 1st floor unit runs considerably, keeps nice and cool (but upstairs hot).
Since the upstairs gets little use anymore (daughter away mostly, 2 bedrooms on 1st floor get used) --
** run upstairs a/c only/mostly -- upstairs nice and cool, downstairs reasonable, too -- except kitchen at times.
** run downstairs a/c only -- main floor comfortable, would only need upstairs 1 - 2 days/week.
** or some combination.
I'm sure someone will point me to a web site where this very question has been debated and answered before ;-)
/p
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Sherri De Rose
Citizen
Username: Honeydo
Post Number: 308
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 5:07 pm: |
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Pete, I know this defeats the purpose of C/A but how about just having a window unit upstairs in your bedroom and not use the upstairs C/A except as needed? |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 12037
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 5:41 pm: |
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I think Pete sleeps on the first floor.
You have a cape? They are hard on central air since the upstairs is essentially the attic and even if well insulated gets warm. We have a cape with one central air unit and it is tough to keep everyone happy, especially with our weird schedules. I go to bed early, my wife much later and Little K later still (he usually doesn't start work until 11am), with corresponding staggered wakeup times.
To answer your question, I would run the first floor only when your daughter isn't home. The key words in your posts is "reasonably comfortable". I would go for the comfort and the $$$$ are probably a wash at worst.
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Sherri De Rose
Citizen
Username: Honeydo
Post Number: 309
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 8:00 pm: |
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Gee Bob K, I thought it very funny that you know where Pete sleeps (LOL) |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 2053
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 8:22 pm: |
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I'm surprised about that, too, Bob...
But yes, the master bedroom is on the 1st floor...
I should have noted -- the a/c on the 2nd floor is 2 1/2 tons, on the first floor 5 tons. So now that I think about it -- if I can keep the house pretty cool running the smaller unit, wouldn't that be more efficient?
Pete |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14909
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 11:35 pm: |
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How cool do you want each room to be? You want to save energy, but you haven't mentioned what your cooling goals are.
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Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 12039
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 4:15 am: |
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LOL, the way Pete's first post is worded it is obvious the second floor is only used when his daughter is home. I made the assumption he doesn't sleep in the basement.
All things being equal it is cheaper to run a smaller unit. However, heat load can be a factor. Second floors, especially if their isn't an attic above, get hotter than first floors, so it is pretty hard to make a simple judgement.
Me? I like comfort. |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 874
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 9:45 am: |
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My vote would be downstairs only, since that's your primary living space. Chances are, the 1-2 times you think you'd need the upstairs, would end up being even less than that. |
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