Air conditioner poll-- who's getting by without?

I've been close to installing my window units several times now, but then we cool off and things are reasonably bearable again with windows and a box fan.  Looks like we're supposed to get back down into the 70s in a few days . . .

Who all's getting by without AC, and who plans to do so through the summer?

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Permalink Reply by Lanterne Rouge on June 21, 2012 at 5:49am

We definitely have an electric dryer. I'm not sure how many loads you run, but I'd say we do laundry about once a week, to the tune of three or so full loads (towels, sheets, clothing.)

 

My wife is really, really good with unplugging EVERYTHING not needed for use during the day. That means that our alarm clock, laptops, lamps, window A/C units and even our microwave is not using ANY electricity during the day.

 

We don't have pets or any other living creatures (that I willingly know of) in our apartment by day, so it's not bothersome to let the place get toasty.

Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on June 21, 2012 at 6:20am

with

Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on June 21, 2012 at 7:14am
I got spoiled living a block from the lake, now I'm inland, even when it 96 and 100+ in the apt. A fan would pull lake breezes in. I also would go swimming and cool my core off. If I can find one I'll use it just for the bedroom. It's only June.
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on June 21, 2012 at 9:34am

I miss that aspect of living in Rogers Park 1/2 mile from the lake.

Mike Zumwalt said:

I got spoiled living a block from the lake, now I'm inland, even when it 96 and 100+ in the apt. A fan would pull lake breezes in. I also would go swimming and cool my core off. If I can find one I'll use it just for the bedroom. It's only June.
Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on June 21, 2012 at 4:09pm

James,

Is there any way you can rig up a clothesline? We haven't run a dryer since... I dunno March or something, but we are fortunate enough to have a back-yard. 

I've seen some pretty ingenious methods of hanging laundry out to dry from apartments in some pretty dense cities in Italy.

 

"The sun makes your whites whiter."

http://smallnotebook.org/2011/06/20/dry-your-laundry-like-youre-in-...

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on June 21, 2012 at 11:48pm

You've obviously never visited Houston clp. 

Permalink Reply by Gin on June 22, 2012 at 12:07am

Enjoying this discussion. I def get concerned about our electricty use and global weirding. I know we can do better with totally shutting things off at night.

Re: AC. I like what some posters have said about just trying to stay away from home when it gets so hot. I work from home and even with the "open windows at night, close them and shut blinds in the morning" strategy, my office was 90 degrees at points this week. (At least it was still cooler than outside :) We have a ton of windows in our place, which I love about 80% of the year. But during heat waves, it's challenging. I keep thinking I just need to hit a coffee shop, but I have so much stuff I need to refer to, it's a little cumbersome. We do have good ceiling fans though.

I know many folks would not be able to stand that kind of heat; folks have become so unused to temp variations in our indoor spaces. I think that's too bad. I grew up w/o AC, and don't start to get miserable inside until it hits 90.

We do have a window unit in our living room that we run sometimes to create a cooling zone, and set it at about 78 degrees. I might get a portable AC that I can switch between the office and my son's room for the really bad days.

Permalink Reply by Lanterne Rouge on June 22, 2012 at 1:45am

I wouldn't say air conditioning is a 'modern day right', but it's pretty accessible in this country. 

 

The NYtimes debate was a pretty thoughtful read.

 

 

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on June 22, 2012 at 3:44am

I concede the point.  

But if there weren't any people in Texas who would want to deal with all the Texans elsewhere?   Please let them stay there...



h' said:

Maybe Texas was never meant to be populated?

James BlackHeron said:

You've obviously never visited Houston clp. 

Permalink Reply by Liz on June 22, 2012 at 3:46am

MY biggest gripe with A/C is how cold businesses get.  I hate sitting in a 65 degree office all day, only to be shocked by the heat when I walk outside.  There's no reason our office needs to be kept so cold.  I'm all for working in A/C but a temperature around 72 would be much more reasonable and help me stay acclimated.  The colder people keep their homes, the more A/C dependent you become.  Soon it not only needs to be run at 90 degrees, but also at 75 degrees.  

I like the air temperature cooler, not freezing cold. 

Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on June 22, 2012 at 4:37am

Hey! I resemble that remark...



James BlackHeron said:

I concede the point.  

But if there weren't any people in Texas who would want to deal with all the Texans elsewhere?   Please let them stay there...



h' said:

Maybe Texas was never meant to be populated?

James BlackHeron said:

You've obviously never visited Houston clp. 

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on June 22, 2012 at 5:21am

REAL TexansTM  stay in Texas.

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