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Cappy 09-05-2014 01:02 PM

Leaving home temp for AC
 
Need some advice. We are heading out for a couple weeks, and I was wondering what yall set your AC's on when ya leave the house for a few days. I was thinking 80-85 should be ok but I was wondering what you guys with more knowledge might think. I'd like to save a few bucks on elec bill but would hate to loose and of our canned stuff. Thanks for any advice yall any have.

Finfeatherfur 09-05-2014 01:18 PM

We usually go 78-80 if we are gone for 3-4 days. Never recalled going above 80. My fat a$$$$$ likes it cold and coming home to a house that is hot is not for me. I will worry about saving the earth when I am pushing up daisies - unitl then crank the AC!

mriguy 09-05-2014 01:49 PM

I do 78

swampman46 09-05-2014 02:15 PM

For a couple of weeks...I would probably shut it off completely-especially if I plan on getting back home in the morning hours(home will cool off considerably over night). When that is the case, 1/2 hour of AC running, and things are comfortable.

Mako19 09-05-2014 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swampman46 (Post 718286)
For a couple of weeks...I would probably shut it off completely-especially if I plan on getting back home in the morning hours(home will cool off considerably over night). When that is the case, 1/2 hour of AC running, and things are comfortable.

No way I would shut off the air conditioner completely in my house in S. LA for 2 weeks or more. Too much moisture in the air.

I leave mine of 78 when I will be away.

aquaholic 09-05-2014 02:48 PM

We leave our camp at 80. We have good dehumidifiers upstairs and downstairs and everything does great.

ScubaLatt 09-05-2014 03:05 PM

If you had a Vivent Alarm system you could adjust your thermostat from your cell phone or iPad.

swampman46 09-05-2014 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mako19 (Post 718288)
No way I would shut off the air conditioner completely in my house in S. LA for 2 weeks or more. Too much moisture in the air.

I'm sure that 2 weeks w/o AC won't distroy a house. If that were the case, all the newly constructed homes waiting to be sold would be in serious trouble. Plus if you have that much moisture getting into your house...you have bigger issues.

pricecb 09-05-2014 04:52 PM

Shutting off the ac completely is a bad idea. I've seen peoples blinds start to warp, and other cosmetic issues because of hi temps and humidity.
78-80 should be good.

More important make sure you cut your water off at the main and shut off your water heater. I've seen homes completely flooded for days while people were out of town.
If you have gas make sure it's off at the main also.

Did some ins adjusting back in the day. Most catastrophic damage usually happens when no one is home for days or weeks at a time.

swampman46 09-05-2014 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pricecb (Post 718316)
Shutting off the ac completely is a bad idea. I've seen peoples blinds start to warp, and other cosmetic issues because of hi temps and humidity.

Hmmm...sounds exteme-how high do you think the temp gets in a closed home that would actually cause damage?

Jasonf 09-05-2014 05:30 PM

Don't shut the ac off all the way if you have wood floors, cabinets, or doors. It doesn't take too long in high humidity for them to start to buckle or swell. Also, good advice about shutting off the water. I have done a few floor replacements for people who had water leaks while on vacation and didn't know until a neighbor called after water was running out the doorways. I normally put our thermostat on 78-80 while away.

pricecb 09-05-2014 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swampman46 (Post 718319)
Hmmm...sounds exteme-how high do you think the temp gets in a closed home that would actually cause damage?

Ever been in a shed when it's 95 outside? Shed might be 105. Plus the humidity. It can and does cause damage. Maybe not every time but I've seen it enough. Especially with days and weeks of these temps. One or two days probably wouldn't do anything. But weeks I wouldn't chance it.

Goooh 09-05-2014 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pricecb (Post 718327)
Ever been in a shed when it's 95 outside? Shed might be 105. Plus the humidity. It can and does cause damage. Maybe not every time but I've seen it enough. Especially with days and weeks of these temps. One or two days probably wouldn't do anything. But weeks I wouldn't chance it.


Shoot, go hang out in the attic for a bit

keakar 09-05-2014 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swampman46 (Post 718306)
I'm sure that 2 weeks w/o AC won't distroy a house. If that were the case, all the newly constructed homes waiting to be sold would be in serious trouble. Plus if you have that much moisture getting into your house...you have bigger issues.

what causes it, is all the stuff in the house like refrigerators and freezers, sinks, and toilets with water sitting in them that evaporate it into the air so yes the house can get musty and mold can start in a lived in house with a/c turned off completely in just a few days where a non-lived in house without running appliances it can go a month without issues.

after 38 years fixing a/c & htg I say set it on 78 and that is just enough for humidity control while running it the least to save money while you are gone.

I suggest you turn off the main water supply to the house and turn off the water heater and any ice makers.

just before leaving the house go around and pour a cup of bleach in each sink or drain and toilet bowl in the house to stop any mold and mildew growth in them from lack of use so the house doesn't smell funky when you get back.

Quackhead62 09-05-2014 07:29 PM

Leave it on 78 you won't save any money when u are away if your unit runs for a entire day to bring you house down to 70.

Matt G 09-05-2014 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quackhead62 (Post 718356)
Leave it on 78 you won't save any money when u are away if your unit runs for a entire day to bring you house down to 70.

I can agree with this. My AC went out on me when I was on vacation this summer. I walked into the house and was hit by a wall of 86 degree humid stagnant air. It took nearly 12 hours of the AC running to get it back down to 72. That was one of the highest electric bills I've had in the 6 yrs I've lived here. I usually bump my AC to around 75 when I leave for vacation.

Never thought about the bleach thing. Good advice.

Paulox86 09-05-2014 08:46 PM

Hell...just leave us the address and the door unlocked and the gypsies here will take care of the castle while you are gone!


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swampman46 09-05-2014 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pricecb (Post 718327)
Ever been in a shed when it's 95 outside? Shed might be 105. Plus the humidity. It can and does cause damage. Maybe not every time but I've seen it enough. Especially with days and weeks of these temps. One or two days probably wouldn't do anything. But weeks I wouldn't chance it.

You aren't comparing a shed to an insulated home?
OK this is starting to get old lol. :)

swampman46 09-05-2014 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt G (Post 718366)
I can agree with this. My AC went out on me when I was on vacation this summer. I walked into the house and was hit by a wall of 86 degree humid stagnant air. It took nearly 12 hours of the AC running to get it back down to 72. That was one of the highest electric bills I've had in the 6 yrs I've lived here. I usually bump my AC to around 75 when I leave for vacation.

Never thought about the bleach thing. Good advice.

If it took 12 hours to bring the temp down, I'd say you have an undersized AC unit. I've done this many times. Should NEVER take that long. On my house 1.5-2 hours max for 74 deg. Not trying to be contrary here...just stating my situation.

pricecb 09-05-2014 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swampman46 (Post 718388)
You aren't comparing a shed to an insulated home?
OK this is starting to get old lol. :)

Your right that insulation will hold the heat more than a shed. Plus sheds usually have a lot of ventilation to breath more than a house (older homes 50/100 years and older were built this way.

Since homes are built today to have conditioned air.

So when the ac is off the house wouldn't perform as designed.
So yea I guess a house would get much hotter. Good point!!

Cappy 09-05-2014 11:35 PM

Our small house is extremely well built and insulated with small double pane windows. Back in my single days when I moved here I shiped out for a 2 month summer boat ride and came home to a real mess. The house is so well insulated once it warms in the summer sun it doesn't cool off all the way then warms more the next day slowly accumulating heat. Aint got a clue how hot it got but can goods popped in the cabinets, and the fridge burned up trying to stay cool. Ever since then I always left the Ac on. Now that I am out of work temporarily Money is very tight, I think I'll try 80 that should save a lil on the bill. It shouldn;t havta run much to maintain that. The less I spend the longer I can take off so I was hoping to extend my vacation. This should help.

tHANKS FOR ALL THE ADVICE GUYS i'LL TRY 80 AND IT SHOULD BE OK.

swamp snorkler 09-06-2014 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swampman46 (Post 718319)
Hmmm...sounds exteme-how high do you think the temp gets in a closed home that would actually cause damage?


When my wood floors were laid the florr guy wanted to flooring in my house for 2 days with the ac running before he would lay them down. He also tols to never for more than a day or two because the floors woul start developing cracks in the seems due to high moisture and temps.




Cappy I'd would leave it on 80 and not any higher.

jpeff31787 09-09-2014 04:51 PM

78 here


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biggun 09-09-2014 05:15 PM

I house sit for FOOD..

Let me know..

Biggun :))))))))))


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