Houston: Is air conditioning a Must?? (Howe: home, living in, mold)

[yatinkamal]

Could anyone please throw some light on use of Air Conditioning.

1. Is Air Conditioning a must in Houston? If yes, how many months one should switch-on??
2. What is the average monthly electric bill with and withouth AC.
3.Does FAN works instead of air conditioner.

Thanks,
-Y

[Poltracker]

Originally Posted by yatinkamal

Could anyone please throw some light on use of Air Conditioning.

1. Is Air Conditioning a must in Houston? If yes, how many months one should switch-on??

Yes, it is a must. 8-10 mos, occasionally more it varies a bit. Keep in mind that 95 degree temps w/ 65% +++ humidity can be quite miserable.

2. What is the average monthly electric bill with and withouth AC

No clear answer to that as there are a lot of factors to consider. Size of residence? Energy efficiency? Your preferred temperature, etc. Keep in mind that Houston has some of the highest electrical rates in the country. Your bill will at least double suring the summer months due to our high heat and humidity. Summer is generally June through the beginning of October.

.

3.Does FAN works instead of air conditioner.

Sometimes. That is what I am using right now but I don't mind being a little warm during the day.

Thanks,
-Y[/quote]

[rb4browns]

Originally Posted by yatinkamal

Could anyone please throw some light on use of Air Conditioning.

1. Is Air Conditioning a must in Houston? If yes, how many months one should switch-on??
2. What is the average monthly electric bill with and withouth AC.
3.Does FAN works instead of air conditioner.

Thanks,
-Y

A/C is a must.

[ShelbyGirl1]

100% on the air conditioning....even if one can tolerate the heat, the humidity is so high, one would have to be concerned about mold/mildew growing in the home without it.
As stated above, settings and size of the home would make a big difference in any bill.

[predatorprey]

1. Is Air Conditioning a must in Houston? If yes, how many months one should switch-on??
AC is a MUST.
AC is used about 6-7 months out of the year. Though only heavily used for about 4 months.

3.Does FAN works instead of air conditioner.
Fan helps circulate air and cool it, but cannot replace AC. On the cooler months that might have warmer days, a fan is a good sub because it might just provide enough of a breeze for you to not use the AC.

[Grunn]

I'd say it's a must if you like to live comfortably.

However I turned my A/C off about 4 weeks ago and it won't be coming back on (other than periodically to maintain it) until April or May with any luck.

My 'neighbors' don't seem to have worked out that the air outside is nice n fresh n cool yet.

Canned air is disgusting and it's only when you get to breathe fresh stuff you realise just how unhealthy living in an air conditioned environment really is.

[DrLizardo]

Nobody has mentioned a dehumidifier which also helps by removing the moisture and making you feel cooler. It also cuts down on mildew, mold and dust mites.

[ShelbyGirl1]

Originally Posted by DrLizardo

Nobody has mentioned a dehumidifier which also helps by removing the moisture and making you feel cooler. It also cuts down on mildew, mold and dust mites.

You'd have to have multiple dehumidifiers to service an entire house.

[citizen_jane]

I have a small dehumidifier in my master bath. The problem with it is that is also produces heat.

[Malvie]

Originally Posted by yatinkamal

Could anyone please throw some light on use of Air Conditioning.

1. Is Air Conditioning a must in Houston? If yes, how many months one should switch-on??
2. What is the average monthly electric bill with and withouth AC.
3.Does FAN works instead of air conditioner.

Thanks,
-Y

No. People lived here before there was air conditioning. They sweated a lot and were extremely uncomfortable, but they survived.

Asking a Houstonian if air conditioning is a must is a bit like asking a Minnesotan if heat is necessary in winter.