Hello,
I'm hoping there may be someone here with HVAC experience of some sort.
Currently, I live in an 1100 sq foot townhouse, the 2 bedrooms, as well as all the computers, are upstairs. Downstairs, it usually stays pretty comfortable when the thermostat is set to 75, however, upstairs it's still pretty warm and humid. I have tried the tricks with turning off certain vents, and closing doors, etc, however, that's not really helping.
I have 2 fans in my master bedroom, and they can keep it semi-comfortable, though still humid and sweaty.
I am not one for heat, and I really would like to keep things a bit cooler up here.
Master Beedrom info ....
I have 2 computers in here, one is always on, one is on most of the time, though I turn it off sometimes at night in my attempts to conserve electricity. The master Bedroom is really the only room that I need to have cool at night.
It's 16x11 feet, and the walk in closet, the door is pretty much always open, is another 40 sq feet. It has 2 North facing windows (side by side) that are 72 inches wide (total, 35inches each, with 2 inches between them) and they are 50 inches tall.
I see my options as
1.) Run the central AC at 72 degrees, this is costly, and it gets to be VERY comfortable downstairs, still warm and need a fan upstairs.
2.) I've heard about people using dehumidifiers, I live near chicago, so the humidity is pretty much ALWAYS more than 80% when it's hot, perhaps that's a good idea? though I've heard that they actually can cause the temperature to increase, and they really aren't any more efficient then the AC, so this is probably NOT a good option, though I don't know enough to be sure...
3.) Add a 6000 to 8000 BTU Window AC (that just runs off of a normal 110volt outlet) to the master bedroom. (with a 9.7 to 10.0 efficiency rating) .... then, use it when I'm using my PC, and/or when I'm sleeping ... I'd probably want to keep the bedroom door open though so the cat could come and go as she wants.
4.) Leave AC set to 75 to 78, continue to sweat my ass off when using the PC, continue not being able to sleep due to heat, perform poorly at work due to my lack of sleep, and get fired, then probably move to Barrow Alaska or somewhere in the mountains where it doesn't get above 70 degrees F ever.
I'd like to keep the initial expense below $200, (the lower the better) ... and I'd only consider 2 or 3 if it will save me at least a few bucks per month over option 1. I only listed number 4 for the people who say "dude, 85F isn't hot, it's nice". well, 85F is horrible, and it's even worse with 80% humidity and a heat index over 100.
I generally am pretty good about conserving energy in the winter, usually my thermostat is set between 58 and 62, and my doors and windows all have weatherstripping in good condition, and no drafts or anything.
I researched on the web, and I *think* I'm probably gonna head to sears, and purchase a window AC unit ... but I want to make sure this isn't something I'm going to regret when I get my electricity bill.
It's usually only *HOT* July and August here, and June usually stays in the 70s, however, these last 7 days have been extremely hellish, with temps surging over 90 degrees and nearly 100% humidity.
:Cliffs:
What's cheaper / makes more sense
1. Run Central Air at 72 degrees or less (so upstairs stays under 80 degrees)
2. Get a dehumidifier upstairs, to get the humidity down, thus making it more comfortable
3. Stick a Window AC in the master Bedroom, use Central air at 78 deg F, to keep the ground level comfortable, but keep the master bedroom at 76 deg F or less with the Window unit
EDITS
The attic has only 1 vent, and it has that pink fiberglass insulation.
It was just installed last year, the filter is clean, the air coming out of the vents inside is nice and cool, about 20 degrees cooler than the outside temperature
Hmm .... I wonder if maybe there's something wrong with the ducts, because there is a LOT of pressure downstairs, but not so much upstairs (though It could just be due to design .... same thing happens in the winter too)
While the Central AC is pretty new, the townhouse is 30+ years old, and I'm pretty sure all the vents are original.
I'm hoping there may be someone here with HVAC experience of some sort.
Currently, I live in an 1100 sq foot townhouse, the 2 bedrooms, as well as all the computers, are upstairs. Downstairs, it usually stays pretty comfortable when the thermostat is set to 75, however, upstairs it's still pretty warm and humid. I have tried the tricks with turning off certain vents, and closing doors, etc, however, that's not really helping.
I have 2 fans in my master bedroom, and they can keep it semi-comfortable, though still humid and sweaty.
I am not one for heat, and I really would like to keep things a bit cooler up here.
Master Beedrom info ....
I have 2 computers in here, one is always on, one is on most of the time, though I turn it off sometimes at night in my attempts to conserve electricity. The master Bedroom is really the only room that I need to have cool at night.
It's 16x11 feet, and the walk in closet, the door is pretty much always open, is another 40 sq feet. It has 2 North facing windows (side by side) that are 72 inches wide (total, 35inches each, with 2 inches between them) and they are 50 inches tall.
I see my options as
1.) Run the central AC at 72 degrees, this is costly, and it gets to be VERY comfortable downstairs, still warm and need a fan upstairs.
2.) I've heard about people using dehumidifiers, I live near chicago, so the humidity is pretty much ALWAYS more than 80% when it's hot, perhaps that's a good idea? though I've heard that they actually can cause the temperature to increase, and they really aren't any more efficient then the AC, so this is probably NOT a good option, though I don't know enough to be sure...
3.) Add a 6000 to 8000 BTU Window AC (that just runs off of a normal 110volt outlet) to the master bedroom. (with a 9.7 to 10.0 efficiency rating) .... then, use it when I'm using my PC, and/or when I'm sleeping ... I'd probably want to keep the bedroom door open though so the cat could come and go as she wants.
4.) Leave AC set to 75 to 78, continue to sweat my ass off when using the PC, continue not being able to sleep due to heat, perform poorly at work due to my lack of sleep, and get fired, then probably move to Barrow Alaska or somewhere in the mountains where it doesn't get above 70 degrees F ever.
I'd like to keep the initial expense below $200, (the lower the better) ... and I'd only consider 2 or 3 if it will save me at least a few bucks per month over option 1. I only listed number 4 for the people who say "dude, 85F isn't hot, it's nice". well, 85F is horrible, and it's even worse with 80% humidity and a heat index over 100.
I generally am pretty good about conserving energy in the winter, usually my thermostat is set between 58 and 62, and my doors and windows all have weatherstripping in good condition, and no drafts or anything.
I researched on the web, and I *think* I'm probably gonna head to sears, and purchase a window AC unit ... but I want to make sure this isn't something I'm going to regret when I get my electricity bill.
It's usually only *HOT* July and August here, and June usually stays in the 70s, however, these last 7 days have been extremely hellish, with temps surging over 90 degrees and nearly 100% humidity.
:Cliffs:
What's cheaper / makes more sense
1. Run Central Air at 72 degrees or less (so upstairs stays under 80 degrees)
2. Get a dehumidifier upstairs, to get the humidity down, thus making it more comfortable
3. Stick a Window AC in the master Bedroom, use Central air at 78 deg F, to keep the ground level comfortable, but keep the master bedroom at 76 deg F or less with the Window unit
EDITS
Yes, I closed the downstairs vents. They are still closed, and it wasn't very helpfull.
Hello Captain of the Obvious.
The attic has only 1 vent, and it has that pink fiberglass insulation.
It was just installed last year, the filter is clean, the air coming out of the vents inside is nice and cool, about 20 degrees cooler than the outside temperature
Hmm .... I wonder if maybe there's something wrong with the ducts, because there is a LOT of pressure downstairs, but not so much upstairs (though It could just be due to design .... same thing happens in the winter too)
While the Central AC is pretty new, the townhouse is 30+ years old, and I'm pretty sure all the vents are original.