AC: Love it or leave it?

B

Bunbun

Cathlete
Do you love air conditioning in the summer? Hate it? Seems like a lot of people feel strongly one way or another on this, so I was curious. I don't like AC normally, and this year I'm starting to absolutely hate it! My office is freezing, my house is freezing (BF hates the heat), the supermarket is freezing, the mall is freezing... I've had either a full blown sinus infection or borderline sinus problems all summer so far, and it seems to me that being in AC all day makes me feel worse and also seems to set off the problem in the first place, a lot of times. I'd rather sweat!!
 
I used to be very opposed to it and even when it hit 100 degrees refused to use it in my house. I'm still uncomfortable with it for environmental reasons. But I do use it now because I've discovered the hard way how destructive our heat and humidity can be - I've had to have my ceiling retaped and reblown, and I've had to tear up all my carpet and lay down tile, because my floor sweats in high humidity. So yes, I use AC to protect my house.

However, I don't like it super-cold and think most places of business keep it way too cold. It's uncomfortable - I wear a sweater in the middle of summer, for heaven's sake - and it wastes energy.

And besides, as I get older, I find that my tolerance for humidity is dropping very quickly. I am now glad for the AC option, otherwise I'd be grumpy all summer. x(
 
Nope - don't like it. I wait all year for the sounds, smells, and yes, heat and humidity of summer. To hear a summer breeze through the leaves, smell the flowers and freshly cut grass wouldn't happen with my doors and windows shut to run the AC. But I am lucky - I have ceiling fans in every room and a huge exhaust fan in my upper level ceiling - so I throw open the doors and windows, get those running, and even the high heat is not terribly bothersome.

Lorrie

"Pain is temporary - quitting lasts forever"
Candace Grasso, CC-V-6
 
I would like it if it were kept at a normal temperature. But that doesn't seem possible. Below freezing seems to be the norm anywhere you go. We have central air and I was so worried that I would always freeze, but DH keeps it at a lovely, comfortable temperature. BUT I have a space heater in my office at work that I use in the summer. And this just throws the system off I'm sure because the warmer my office is the more the air kicks on. If they could keep it at a reasonable temp that would be great. But for some crazy reason restaurants, grocery stores, office buildings, etc. think they have to keep it below freezing!

Suz

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." - Anatole France

http://www.picturetrail.com/dogs2birds
 
Everyone here has it, and I have yet to walk into a public building without it. The heat and high humidity would probably ruin dry wall and paint over time without it. People bring sweaters with them everywhere they go for indoor wear. Before I moved my co-workers said to dress for the outside temp but bring a sweater with me into the office. They were right! As for sinus problems, I've found those can be either avoided or lessened by changing the filters religiously. We moved in this house three weeks ago and already from the construction dust the filters were absolutely filthy. We've changed them twice already, and no one has had sinus issues or a headache yet. I guess it's one of things that is a trade-off, just like most things in life. A/C may be not good for many reasons, but I'm used to it and I prefer having it in my home.

Carol
:)
 
<<To hear a summer breeze through the leaves, smell the flowers and freshly cut grass wouldn't happen with my doors and windows shut to run the AC.>>

Ooh, Lorrie!! That's exactly what I love about summer! I also live all year for the summer and get very upset that I have to spend 8+ hours a day indoors. I should have been a park ranger or something!
 
Bunbun -
you know, I've considered changing careers to be a something like a park ranger, just to get out from behind a computer! There are several factors in the way, but believe me, I'm not done looking yet!
 
i love the feeling of the AC after coming in from the sun. especially if we had done something active all day, but i hate it at the same time b/c its costs big time. i try to keep it at 70-75, i think that is comfortable temp and it kills the humidity which is far worse for me then the heat.

kassia

http://www.picturetrail.com/ldy_solana

"And do what thee wilt as long as ye harm none"
 
I lived for several years without any AC, and while it sometimes got a bit too much (like when I would just sit and watch TV and end up sweating), I didn't feel I needed it that much. Even my car didn't have air (which was a bit too much at times, but I had bought it when I lived in a cooler temperature zone).

I have several sweatshirts that I bought when I used to go to movies on Friday afternoons when I was a grad student, and the theaters were way too cool, so I ended up buying a university sweatshirt on sale!

I do hate 'overcooling," which is what a lot of people are used to, it seems. Once, when I went to my neighbor's in the summer, when she opened the door, a blast of too-cold air came out. I'll bet she had it set at 68 (which is where I set my heat during the day in winter), while it was near 100 degrees outside (what a waste of energy!). I also hate being in someone's car and they are blasting the air and I get chilled. Most of the time, I don't use my car AC, and just have the air flow going. When I do use car AC, it's usually just to cool the car down (though if I keep my California Car Cover on my car in the driveway, the inside remains about 10-20 degrees cooler than the outside air.

I usually use AC when the temp outside is above 90, and I turn the air to 80, mostly to reduce the humidity some.
Ironically, I sometimes have to put the AC on to make my old, diabetic cat more comfortable, and I end up putting on a sweatshirt to not get 'too cold' (even though I don't set it below 72).
 
It's been something I've seriously considered, too. Not a park ranger--I'm not qualified for that. But in the back of my mind, the wheels are always turning, trying to find some line of work that would let me be outdoors at least part of the time. Not sure what, though.
Anyhow, have now managed to hijack my own thread. ;-)
 
I wouldn't want to live without my AC and I would probably be accused of "over cooling" except it's not over cooling to me. Especially b/c I'm so active. I get irritable and lack motivation when I'm hot or too warm.
Angela:7
 
I have no choice but it love it as I live in Southwest Georgia and it is HOT. We have the AC on from May until October.
 
I used to absolutely love it, now it's not so enjoyable, except for the de-humidifying aspect. The humidity here is awful!
We have to start using ours here about March due to DH's lung problems. Fortunately, though, he's happy with it at a resonable temperature- 78 or so.

I have learned to take a jacket with me everywhere I go, especially into resturaunts, or else I freeze!

I have tried to learn to adapt. Unfortunately, though, there are some that I work with that crank it so I freeze, no matter what I wear. You can't complain, either, because then they argue that I can at least put more clothing on, whereas they can't take it off to cool (I suggested that she take soy for the hot flashes and let us all thaw!)

But I don't like sitting in a puddle of my own sweat, either!
 
It's easier to warm up than cool off...you can keep layering clothes on if you are cold but there is only so much you can take off and if it's hot enough you STILL wouldn't be cool so I am all for a/c! I just hate payin' the electric bill! :p
 
I dont like AC either. I have to wear a sweater to work and to the grocery store. Sometimes my h will turn it on at night, and I'll wake up with a sore throat. I swear its from the AC! However, it is nice on those really humid days that we get a lot of.
Susan C.M.
 
Here in AZ there really is no choice, although it is funny, I have been reading the other posts listing the temps where other set their AC....70, 75, etc. In my house, we keep it between 84-86 and that feels cool! Our temps are usually over 105 in the summer.....but sometimes after you have been in a store(especially places like the mall)it feels nice to walk outside in the sunshine to warm up!

Donna
 
It's OK, but it really does get turned on too high. I'm always colder in my office in the summer than in the winter. And it's weird the way it hits me in the office too. I'll be comfortable everywhere but my right arm. That's always like ice.

We don't have it at home, and mostly that's OK. But on the really muggy days, I'd like it for when I'm exercising. The ceiling fans and open windows aren't always enough and I'm drenched when I'm done with my workout.
 
I live in extremem southern Louisiana, which is ranked second at being the most humid place in the united states. Our AC broke once in the dead of summer and within two hours even our cats were panting. (no lie). I only keep my ac at 78-80, so I don't get ridiculous with it because I definitely don't like it too cold! So yes, ac is a must.

Barbara
 
Wow, I've never seen cats pant! We've been keeping it at 72 in our apartment lately, but only in the heat of the day. Even then, I wind up turning it off and on a lot. I'd prefer to keep the windows open, but when it's really humid and hot, there may not necessarily be a cross breeze, so then we get no air at all.

The AC hits the back of my neck at work. I keep a sweater AND a scarf and also a blanket for days when it gets really ridiculous.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top