Re: How important is central air conditioning?
 

Never had AC before,coming here (didn't have a big pool come to that or central vac but I'm off the subject)) moved into a new house with AC - BLISS! Got the bill a couple of months later..... would rather 'fry'! VERY expensive - seriously - rely on ceiling fans, once you are asleep does it matter!!?? Turn them all off once the kids are asleep and sleeping in the 'nuddy' - so what!!

Re: How important is central air conditioning?
 

A lot depends on your local conditions. Merely hot, I can cope with. High humidity, I can't. The first Summer we were in Gatineau, the canicule came down and we were straight on the phone. We didn't want a window unit as they are far too noisy and, because we are all-electric, a conventional system based on forced air wasn't really an option. We went for a system that seems very popular around here. There is a suitcase-size compressor outside (very quiet BTW) and a single wall mounted unit at the top of the stairs (not big, quiet and does the whole house). I think it cost about $3.5K.

Re: How important is central air conditioning?
 

I wondered how long before someone noticed the error, :o still the comment was for illsutrative purposes and instead you can book an all inclusive sun and sand holiday in Iqaluit :thumbsup:

Re: How important is central air conditioning?
 

I survived most of the summer with the aircon on about 3 or 4 times, for an hour or so each time. I did have a bedroom ceiling fan on at night often though. Blinds and shutters worked wonders, and of course that meant I didn't need to look at lawn that needed mowing or the dog crap that needed picking up either :D Having said that, I may have felt hotter if I didn't have it and knew I could turn it on anytime...!

On the other hand my father's visiting at the moment and has asked for the aircon on constantly, and it's not even hot here anymore :blink: It's what you can put up with.

Re: How important is central air conditioning?
 

Blinds and Fans are a good economical solution.

We have a lot of south facing windows, which is just great in the winter as the place is almost self heating during the day. In the summer we have blinds and canopies up outside to help keep the AC bills down. This summer was not all that bad anyway, we had it running only for a couple of weeks, and the impact on the hydro bill with the new unit was pretty low.

Re: How important is central air conditioning?
 

We set the activation temperature at a fairly high 28C during the day when we are out. As far as I'm aware, it never came on once this Summer.

At night it kicks in at 24C and really only stays active for around two hours until the temperature has cooled sufficiently for it to turn off again.

A programmable thermostat is invaluable and as Iain mentions, our brand new 14 SEER unit (a York mini-cube) is as economical as any home AC can be. In fact our hydro bills are at the same level as this time last year when, admittedly, we were in another house without AC.

It's reassuring to know that it's there though and is a major selling point for homes around these parts. Fickle, planet-killing, resource-monkeys that we are!

Re: How important is central air conditioning?
 

You try a japanese solution of storing the winter snow in a giant coollbox. then run the cold water pipes thru the house and chill it that way.

Re: How important is central air conditioning?
 

Or live somewhere where Aircon is not a requirement!;)

Blissfully cool evenings, temperate days & no massive energy bills in the summer. There are some benefits to living in a maritime climate!

Re: How important is central air conditioning?
 

Cant think of any in the winter though:)

Re: How important is central air conditioning?
 

Nah, winter's fine character building stuff. It's spring, or rather the dank part of winter that comes before summer arrives in mid June, that is not so good. That's when I envy you central Canadians. It lasts until you start talking about humidex and high summer energy bills.

Re: How important is central air conditioning?
 

I was thinking more about the necessity to own a snowblower and the prospect of often getting more than 6" of snow at a time, and getting far more frequent dumps over what seems like a much longer winter.

Im not sure that in my case I'd like the kind of character that would be built!

Re: How important is central air conditioning?
 

But AX is a very pleasant character. Whether that's because of NL or in spite of it, I can't be sure.

Re: How important is central air conditioning?
 

I have a new A/C unit, but through the miracle that is the former owners of my place, the humidifier pipe was never plumbed in anywhere. :curse:

As my basement is rented to a friend, I have protracted negotiations over when and in what circumstances the AC can be turned on. This made for a hot and steamy summer, but at least kept the hydro bills down. I think there were only three nights this summer that I really really needed it....

Re: How important is central air conditioning?
 

"humidifier pipe"?

Do you mean the drain pipe for the condensation from the AC heat exchanger, or the pipe for the furnace humidifier (which has nothing to do with it I imagine?)

Not important I guess...carry on. I'm off home.

Re: How important is central air conditioning?
 

It is a selling feature, I use it routinely, would not buy a house without it.