Leaving home temp for AC

[Cappy]

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]

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]

I do 78

[swampman46]

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]

Originally Posted by swampman46

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]

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

[ScubaLatt]

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

[swampman46]

Originally Posted by Mako19

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]

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]

Originally Posted by pricecb

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]

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]

Originally Posted by swampman46

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]

Originally Posted by pricecb

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]

Originally Posted by swampman46

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]

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]

Originally Posted by Quackhead62

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]

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


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[swampman46]

Originally Posted by pricecb

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]

Originally Posted by Matt G

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]

Originally Posted by swampman46

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!!