Can you settle the electric argument

**Mamaw** · 07-19-2005, 01:37 PM

DH and I disagree about the setting on the AC. I think we should set it higher in the evening when it is cooler and when no one is going to be home. Then if needed, we can always turn it lower to cool it off later. DH thinks doing this costs more. His position is that once the house is warmer, it takes more electricity to run the AC, constantly in his words, to cool it back down.

Does anyone know which of us is right? Which will cost the least?

I think it is crazy to have it set so low that during the evening hours we need to use a quilt or throw to be comfortable watching TV.
Welcome to the battle of the thermostat!

**Missy** · 07-19-2005, 01:56 PM

huh. good question. have you tried calling your utilities company? they might know.

**YankeeMom** · 07-19-2005, 01:57 PM

Unfortunately, your dh is right. It takes your compressor longer to cool a house back down (or a furnace to heat it back up). Better to have a steady temp all the time. Try to compromise on a middle setting.

I think the only time I would turn the a/c down when you leave is when you are going to be gone for days at a time.

**Missy** · 07-19-2005, 01:58 PM

another person to ask might be a heating and cooling company... they might even have a website to one locally that might have that in their FAQ's...

**Goodi2shooz** · 07-19-2005, 03:03 PM

I don't think our thermostat is right..because it can read 81 and I'm still cold! We HAVE to have ours on all the time now because we are in the middle of a high triple digit heatwave..107-113.. there is NO way I'm turning that baby off.. we always budget higher for the summer because we live in a hot place.

**YankeeMom** · 07-19-2005, 06:23 PM

Here's a great link:
http://reuweb.reddingelectricutility...usconserv.html

Don't use your HVAC system for more cooling or heating than you need. REU suggests these thermostat settings for customers that want to reduce energy consumtion and save money
*Summer Cooling Season: 76 - 78
*Winter Heating Season: 66 - 68

I was wrong LOL You are right OP!!!

Many people mistakenly believe that it is better (less costly and harms equipment less) to run their home HVAC system at "low" levels throughout the day than it is to let their house heat up (or cool down) and then restore it to the desired temperature some time later. THIS IS NOT TRUE!

It is far less costly (and does not impact the physical operation or life of an HVAC system) to let an unoccupied space heat up during the day and then turn the HVAC System when you get home to cool it down, or vice-a-versa. Shut it off if it's not in use.

**favesis37** · 08-02-2005, 09:07 AM

wow, if it is a nice night out we turn ours off, then back on in the day. probably oughta stop that

**Goodi2shooz** · 08-02-2005, 01:26 PM

well we are in our 24th day of triple digits... I called the electric company and asked about their recommendations about keeping the thermostat at 78 or higher.. she said that didn't work where we lived because it's so ridiculously hot, the AC will just keep cycling on all the time... the only solution is to turn it off.