AC in an apartment

[Bades]

I know my apartment complex was built in the 60's but has obviously gone thorugh some big renovations since then. However I'm not too keen on how efficient my AC is. Throughout the fall and winter, limited to zero AC use, my electric bill was generally around $35. Now that the summer is in full effect, my latest bill was $85! (I've been keeping it at what I believe is 72, my thermostat seems a bit off...) I'm okay with spending a little extra money each month to live in comfortable temperatures, but now I wonder how efficient my AC is and for that matter, the insulation of my apartment.

It sucks because I feel like I'm stuck and there is not much I can do about it becuase I don't own the place. Is this just something as a renter you deal with?

[terces]

The 72 is what's probably eating up your electricity. We keep ours at 78 here in Texas

[bjl584]

How old is the AC? If it's more than 5 years old, then it is considered inefficient by industry standards.

A building built in the 60's is probably also a factor. There isn't a lot you can do except put a draft stopper on your door and make sure that all of your windows have good seals and have curtains drawn to prevent direct sunlight from shining in.

[Coronet]

$85 isn't high for an electric bill for a 1 bedroom apartment (what I assume you have) especially for keeping the thermostat at 72F.

[snafu]

Do you operate AC 24/7 or only while you're home? How much do you pay per kwh?

[disneysteve]

Is it a window unit? You could replace it. If it isn't, you could pick up a window unit if they'll let you use it.

Keep the shades down. If there is any worn caulk or weather stripping, replace it. Consider plastic covering on the windows. Switch to CFL bulbs in lamps and fixtures. Make more use of the microwave and less of the oven and stovetop on hot days. And try turning up the thermostat a degree or two if you can manage it. We keep ours at 73 or 74 most of the time.

[snafu]

What is the charge per KWH? Am I correct in presuming you only run AC when you are home?

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Use a fan to make less AC feel better. Turn off TV when not actually watching it.

[kork13]

The 72 is what's probably eating up your electricity. We keep ours at 78 here in Texas

Use a fan to make less AC feel better.

These two were my immediate thoughts as well... I normally keep my place between 76-78. Reducing your use like that will obviously reduce the electricity consumption. Pair that with some ceiling fans (or floor stand fans if you don't have ceiling fans), and you may not even notice the increased temperature. I love having ceiling fans, because they circulate the air to make you feel cooler without actually needing to cool the room. A good ceiling fan can easily make a room feel at least 2-3 degrees cooler.

[audible]

Keep your windows closed and make sure the kids are not opening doors and windows for too long.

[Bades]

- Not a window unit.

- The thermostat isn't even correct - we know that when we set it to like 76 it makes the house 72, there is like a 5 degree difference.

- From Electric Bill:
664kw usage for June
7.3cents per hour
Ave temp is 65

What does avg temp mean? The avg temp for that month outside in my area, right?

- I do keep shades closed - bedroom has the blackout currents too.

- I have fans, unfortunately my gf can't stand the noise of them.

- we keep it cooler at night - warmer during day (gf is a teacher so has her summers off, so needs some ac during day)

[Bades]

Apartment is 1300 sq ft. Two levels (townhome). Gas stove and water heater.

[LizfromtheBronx]

I WISH my electric bill only went up $50 in the summer. It's $40/50 from Sept-May, then once it starts getting boiling out in NYC, it shoots up to ~$250. I'm on the ConEd level billing plan, so I pay the same thing all year round, but it's pretty crazy. We have built in heating/cooling units that are ollllld (prob from the 60s). They don't work very well, and eat up a ton of energy.

I saw them bringing in 50 or so new units a few weeks ago, so I'm hoping they're going to replace them...but haven't asked, as I don't want to be without AC for any extended period of time!

[ecoadapt]

Use a fan to make less AC feel better. Turn off TV when not actually watching it.

This is an effective way I think.

[scubatim84]

This is an effective way I think.

It is. With a fan, you can easily keep the thermostat at 82 or even 84 and it will still feel outstanding when the fan is blowing on you. When I used to live in an area that routinely got north of 110 degrees in the summer, before I realized I shouldn't condemn myself to hell when I'm not even dead yet, I used ceiling fans and standup fans to great effect.

Also, with a two-story apartment, you're fighting an uphill battle since heat rises. Try opening your windows at night and having fans near them to keep air moving through the apartment. I would just find a more annoying noise to grace your gf with so she forgets about the fan noise...might I suggest downloading a soundboard with several different clips of screaming infants?