I just timed it and it was 5 minutes exact. Sorry to over exaggerate. Good to know its normal.

Another thing with the AC.

I live in Florida and right now it averages between 90-100* everyday. I have been leaving my Ac on 85* when I leave... However, it still has to run quite a bit even to maintain that. Should I turn it off during the day when I'm at work or will that just come back to bite me when it has to cool down a 95* house?

Side note, I turn it down to 80* when I get home and then 78* when I go to bed.

I know these questions are silly... But keep in mind I'm 20, first house, and am extremely conservative.

Thanks everyone for you responses. I do appreciate it.

 

I'd install a programmable thermostat.

 

Even then, should I program to turn off during the day or run at 85*?

 

I'd run it at 85 just to keep it from getting too hot in the house. When you do get home, it will take a lot less time to cool it back down to 80 or 78.

 

The programables will let you set the temp for every 15 minute period, around the clock. Say you will be home at 6:15 pm. You can have it set at 85* or higher all day, then turn on at 5:45 and cool to 76*.

That being said, you want one that is easy to program and use. The one we have at the office is not intuitive at all, and it took us weeks to figure out how to program it, lol.

 

I actually had a programmable one before... When the Ac was swapped I opted for a plain Jane control.

I work a full commission job where my hours may be 8-5 today and 0300 to noon tomorrow. Hell, about once a month I have to sleep at my desk... It's the world of trucking.

With that being said I didn't want my AC on a set schedule. I felt as if that would be a waste.

 

You can also get a smart thermosat (I forget the real name of it) that can be turned on with your smart phone. You just make the call 15 to 30 mins before you get home and all is good!

 

What unit did you install? Ductless? Daiken?
Or did I miss that part

 

To answer your question, do not turn your A/C off. 85 is a good temperature. If you turn it off, the humidity in the air will build up in your house add that to the warmer temperatures and you will see things mold faster.

I would look into some good quality energy efficient windows when you get a chance, especially if your windows are the original ones. I replaced the ones that came with our house down there and the energy savings was huge.

 

I would get one anyway because they reset every 5-6 hours and with AC there is a logical way of programing it that matches the heat of the day and it really dont mater if your home or not you want the basic AC to always be on..I would run the basic program always and over ride it when I was home. If you let it to hot/humid in the house it will take forever to get it decent when you do get home..

 

Also consider that if your house is like just about every other house down there it is made of reinforced cement block. Having large swings in your internal temperature is not optimal. Your walls retain heat so when you cool off the inside it will take a bit longer as the heat in the walls is released back into the house.

The methodology used to determine R factor is not so good with cement type houses. Basically as long as the outside temperature swings above and below the inside temperature they are more efficient than typical stick built houses. As an example if you keep the inside temperature at a steady 80. When the temperature outside goes above 80 your wall absorb heat. When the temperature outside goes below 80 your wall release the stored heat outside, increasing efficiency. If your inside temperature is always lower than the outside temperature the stored heat in your wall will be released to the inside, decreasing efficiency. That's the theory as it was explained to me anyway.

 

My house has 7 sets of French doors... Yes you read that right, 7 sets. I am removing four sets, blocking up two layers, and than framing in windows. Once I start with that I am going to replace the remainder of the windows in the house due to the fact all of the originals are single pane(sp?) windows. I will also tint them all for two reasons, maximum efficiency, and the amazing look.

The house is block with stucco all the way around.

I agree with the ideas behind a programmable thermostat. However, I've been dishing out money left and right on things I really need, and can live with my plain old thermostat.

I have been at work for 30hrs straight so far... Doesn't look like I will get much done this weekend.

 

You got me there... This may sound completely ridiculous... It's a comfortmaker 3.5 ton unit. Leads into a handler in the attic, ducts off to every room.

I apologize, I don't know if that answers the question.

 

If you are installing the windows yourself, get the most efficient you can with a good warranty, even if it means replacing the windows at a slower pace. You sound like you have your head on straight, but in case you didn't think of it replace the windows on the south and west sides first then the others (unless those windows are protected from direct sunlight then change the ones receiving sunlight before you do the rest).

Your house is probably similar to the one I had down there, you could remove the windows and stuff the opening with newspaper and probably have better insulation. Mine was build in 78 and the windows were original. It didn't matter what we put in, it was going to be an improvement, but we went with the most efficient we could find and our electric bill was cut almost in half. Then when we replaced our A/C (also original) the bill was cut almost in half again. I don't know what the deal was down there, but I know they had double pane windows in the 80's we had them up north. My house also had one whole are (over the maser bedroom) that completely lacked any insulation. When we remodeled, we went with thefficiencycy stuff first. The way we looked at it was it would save us money that we would use for other upgrades.

Something to look at if you haven't is your atventilationtion. Ours originally had a passive ridge vent and soffet vents. Some idiot shingled over the ridge vent so the attic ventilation was almost existenttant. This was a common issue in my neighborhood. The ridge vent and supplies were cheap and took about an hour to install. The hottest part of the job wasn't the sun beating down, it was after cutting the shingles the hot air coming out of the attic. I re-couped the cost of supplies in two months andefinitelytely over did it with attaching the vent to my roof.

 

I would like to do the windows in November or december for a couple reasons, it's should be cooling down for one... And I need to ride out the summer before spending any big money (slow time of year at work).

I have another small issue. Snakes. I hate them. I shot one this morning in my front yard... Very redneck I know... But they scare the hell out of me, and I am a damn good shot. I have seen four in two months. I am not in a swamp area but live about 100 yards from a pond. And for the silly question, would getting a dog help with this? I had a lab for 15 years, and only saw a snake on our property (in the same neighborhood) once or twice. If my math adds up, she was cleaning house. I'm thinking a lab/cur mix... Maybe a lab/boxer. I can't afford a full blood lab... They run $3-750 around here.