Supplemental AC in house, good or bad idea?

[krisw]

its 100+, any a/c unit is gonna have to labor to keep up. Unless its to big for the app, then its always a possibility you will could wind up with some mold from not getting the humidity out of the air before it gets cool. That said, I agree with pickles. I know when i worked with my step dad doing ac work, he had a program that took everything into account to get it right. But if you cant install new system now, go with the supplemental for the yr.

[Bill M]

First I would go with the solar screens. You have many windows facing the wrong way in the afternoon/evening. Are your windows double paned? You mentioned ridge venting, do you have adequate soffit vents to help the movement of air through the ridge vents? How thick is you attic insulation? Should be at least 12" of fiberglass to reach R30.

[Okiehunter]

Are your windows double paned? You mentioned ridge venting, do you have adequate soffit vents to help the movement of air through the ridge vents? How thick is you attic insulation? Should be at least 12" of fiberglass to reach R30.

Yes the windows are double paned. My roof guy said the soffit vents were adequate, who knows if they are. I was in the attic today double checking to make sure there were no duct leaks and the insulation still well covers 2x12s you have to walk on.

I will look into the screens for sure.

I went to Wal-Mart and got an 8000 BTU window unit or $200. It and the cental unit have held at 75 (it is 102 outside right now) and my wife is a happy camper. If this will get her through the rest of summer and it does not kill me on my electric bill all will be well.

Pick your battles and a few hundred bucks keeps her happy and cool is worth every penny.

[acearrow]

My a/c was struggling also. I added the window unit in the living/kitchen area and it helped a lot with keeping that area cooler during the heat of the day. My main a/c was never even cutting off during the day until I added the window unit. It is now cutting off some so I figure that the added cost of running the window unit is off set by the main unit cutting off some now. We turn the window unit off at night so the thermostat can equallize the temp throughout the house.

[Mountaineer]

has anyone made their own dark screens? i've heard you can get a kit to do it.

[Smart]

has anyone made their own dark screens? i've heard you can get a kit to do it.

Joey AP and I did.... here is the thread on it.

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89181&highlight=solar+screens

Don't get the kit...they charge you more for kit. I bought the supplies from Lowes (Joey was Home Depot I think) and made my own. After the first one, the rest are a breeze.

[DJM]

Joey AP and I did.... here is the thread on it.

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89181&highlight=solar+screens

Don't get the kit...they charge you more for kit. I bought the supplies from Lowes (Joey was Home Depot I think) and made my own. After the first one, the rest are a breeze.

Yup,it's a piece of cake.The first couple may take awhile,but once you get it down the rest will go faster.I did this several years ago and it made a huge difference in the master bedroom(faces west).Last summer I redid the patio door screen(slider) and built a frame and screen for the non-sliding side.I've helped my neighbors make them and everyone said it was well worth the money.

DJ

[Dirtymike]

A good solution for long term would also be planting trees. Trees increase your property value, if you use the correct species for the area aswell as saving you tons on utilities. Earths solar screens if you will.

[Chaddilac]

I have 4 8x6 windows that face soutwest I had the same problem my house is 6 months old 3200 sq ft with 8.5 tons of air but I couldn't get it below 77 in the afternoon. I bought 2 10ft solar screens from home depot 150.00 a piece....... Best money I ever spent in my life. And in the evening they just roll up out of the way. Fixed my problem in 1 hour and 300 bucks

[Russ79]

I don't mean to hijack, but this is the same problem I have and have wondered about supplementing with a window unit. I have a heat pump and the south side of my house where the den is (where I spend most of my time) is not as cool as the rest of the house even with a ceiling fan going. It is at the end of the duct system. My attic has big vent openings on each end of the house under the eaves. There are no soffit vents. Would installing them help to draw air thru my attic to help cool it some?