Should I turn off my upstairs air conditioning during peak hours to save energy?

[dkmcd55]

I have a 2600 sq' home in Arizona. I have a 13 seer a/c system with two units. I havea second story of my house which is only a loft. Is is more beneficial for me to leave the thermostat off upstairs to conserve energy during the peak hours that my electric provider has from noon-7pm? Or is it better to kep my updtairs thermostat to like 85 degrees?

 

[russ_watters]

Welcome to PF.

I'm not clear on the second option. Is that 85 degrees only during peak hours or all the time?

Generally, any setback is a positive thing. The benefits aren't always huge because if the setback is only for a few hours, you'll just spend more energy later to bring the temperature back down - but still less total energy.

 

[dkmcd55]

Well what options do I have. My wife does not work and she likes it cold but I do not want to have a $500 electric bill. What options do I have?

 

[Drakkith]

Leaving the unused areas of the house at higher temps for at least a few hours should help. Also check and make sure you have good insulation in your house. Spending a few hundred dollars once can save you loads for years.

 

[pmacias]

I would recommend turning off the upstairs air conditioning during peak hours to save energy. This is because the 13 SEER system is designed to efficiently cool a 2600 sq ft home, and the loft area is not a full living space. Keeping the thermostat at 85 degrees may still use a significant amount of energy and may not effectively cool the space. By turning off the upstairs air conditioning, you can reduce your energy consumption during peak hours and potentially save money on your electricity bill. Additionally, using natural ventilation or fans during this time may help to cool the loft space without using as much energy. However, it is important to consider the outside temperature and humidity levels when making this decision. If the outside temperature is extremely high, it may be more beneficial to keep the upstairs air conditioning on at a higher temperature to prevent heat-related health concerns. Overall, turning off the upstairs air conditioning during peak hours is a more energy-efficient option for your 2600 sq ft home in Arizona.