I know this is a long shot and maybe some day my A.D.D. will have me set the time aside to figure this out. The answer might help others too. I dont know. This is some really deep thought process in regards to energy consumption by our HVAC running in the summer.
Note, we never open windows, so it will and always be running frequently.
Structure-
New home, 2023 - 1800 sq ft., stick construction, slab, vinyl siding, one level, HIP roof, R-15 wall insulation, R-32 blown in the attic, Low E glass, slightly above builder grade LENOX 2 ton HVAC heat pump, ML17XP1-024 south facing house bakes in the sunlight all day long,
Ok, so, right now, maybe because the ground is still cool is a possibility.
We have been running the AC unit at 70 degrees from 11:15pm to 7:15AM
At 7:15AM the thermostat automatically goes up to 77 degrees
At 2PM the thermostat goes higher to 79 degrees
At 6PM the thermostat goes to 75 degrees then the cycle repeats going down to 70 degrees at 11PM
Peak rate is 21.5 cents kWh for 4 hours 2pm to 6pm, the other 20 hours the off peak rate is 7.95 cents a kWh.
I used to set the thermostat at 73 while sleeping but I have observed the following such as today. Bright sunshine, no clouds, 87 degrees at 4PM
Last night at 11:15PM the AC kicks down to 70 degrees, we love sleeping in the cold. when it kicks up to 77 degrees at 7:15 such as today, it is now 87 degrees outside at 4Pm, that is already 2 hours into the peak time and the AC unit has not turned on all day long since 7:15AM from its night time setting of 70 degrees. ON top of that, the house is still only 76 degrees. It is very possible it will not turn on by the time the peak expires at 6PM.
So the question is, is setting the night time thermostat to 70 degrees noting what I typed above saving money over setting the night time temperature like we used too at 73 degrees leaving all other settings the same?
I have another wrinkle that I think 70 degrees might be in favor. The night time setting down to 70 degrees is just that, nighttime when the night time air is MUCH cooler making the unit much more efficient. Being we live near the ocean, once night time falls and the sea breeze finishes cooling outside down it is significantly cooler. Like tonight with a high temp of 87 daytime, it will be 60/70 degrees night time. As summer goes into full swing those night time temps will be higher but still lower than daytime.
I don't expect many comments, I know this sounds insane. I think there is a thread somewhere on over thinking... but thinking is good, I think!
Honestly? we normally have our daytime temperature as it is, 77 degrees, after dinner time 75 and sleep time 73 this was last year and years before. However this is the first year of peak rates in this home.
So, I am wondering, after observing that when kicking the AC down to 70 at night, which we like. 11pm to 7am, once it bumps up to 77 degrees at 7am, then to 79 degrees 2 to 6PM the unit doesn't come on, though I do expect at times it will for the last two hours but not sure how much. I just know what is happening now.
Note, we never open windows, so it will and always be running frequently.
Structure-
New home, 2023 - 1800 sq ft., stick construction, slab, vinyl siding, one level, HIP roof, R-15 wall insulation, R-32 blown in the attic, Low E glass, slightly above builder grade LENOX 2 ton HVAC heat pump, ML17XP1-024 south facing house bakes in the sunlight all day long,
Ok, so, right now, maybe because the ground is still cool is a possibility.
We have been running the AC unit at 70 degrees from 11:15pm to 7:15AM
At 7:15AM the thermostat automatically goes up to 77 degrees
At 2PM the thermostat goes higher to 79 degrees
At 6PM the thermostat goes to 75 degrees then the cycle repeats going down to 70 degrees at 11PM
Peak rate is 21.5 cents kWh for 4 hours 2pm to 6pm, the other 20 hours the off peak rate is 7.95 cents a kWh.
I used to set the thermostat at 73 while sleeping but I have observed the following such as today. Bright sunshine, no clouds, 87 degrees at 4PM
Last night at 11:15PM the AC kicks down to 70 degrees, we love sleeping in the cold. when it kicks up to 77 degrees at 7:15 such as today, it is now 87 degrees outside at 4Pm, that is already 2 hours into the peak time and the AC unit has not turned on all day long since 7:15AM from its night time setting of 70 degrees. ON top of that, the house is still only 76 degrees. It is very possible it will not turn on by the time the peak expires at 6PM.
So the question is, is setting the night time thermostat to 70 degrees noting what I typed above saving money over setting the night time temperature like we used too at 73 degrees leaving all other settings the same?
I have another wrinkle that I think 70 degrees might be in favor. The night time setting down to 70 degrees is just that, nighttime when the night time air is MUCH cooler making the unit much more efficient. Being we live near the ocean, once night time falls and the sea breeze finishes cooling outside down it is significantly cooler. Like tonight with a high temp of 87 daytime, it will be 60/70 degrees night time. As summer goes into full swing those night time temps will be higher but still lower than daytime.
I don't expect many comments, I know this sounds insane. I think there is a thread somewhere on over thinking... but thinking is good, I think!
Honestly? we normally have our daytime temperature as it is, 77 degrees, after dinner time 75 and sleep time 73 this was last year and years before. However this is the first year of peak rates in this home.
So, I am wondering, after observing that when kicking the AC down to 70 at night, which we like. 11pm to 7am, once it bumps up to 77 degrees at 7am, then to 79 degrees 2 to 6PM the unit doesn't come on, though I do expect at times it will for the last two hours but not sure how much. I just know what is happening now.
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