You can say that summer is already here. For many people I’m sure that A/C season has already started. The heat and humidity of the summer is causing people to wilt. That combined with allergy season.
Do you ever find yourself doing something that comes naturally but is considered frugal? I grew up without A/C. Never had it, never used it. We had fans and opened windows. I like the outside breeze. I also don’t suffer from allergies. To me humidity and heat is awesome. I love it when it’s 80-90 and a bit humid. Feels like home. Where we live, it’s a great frugal tip.
Problem? My DH. He’s got terrible allergies in the Spring, and during the summer he appears to be suffering. I’m pretty sure it’s the humidity doing him in, since we lived in CA and the 100+ desert heat didn’t bother him as much. Granted we had a lot less money so maybe he was less prone to complaining!
But with the summer heat and humidity coming we’re about to get into our argument. He calls me cheap and frugal for preferring to open the windows and not the A/C. But I feel stuffy if I close the windows and jack up the A/C. In the end, I typically lose because I feel bad for his allergies and he can’t sleep with the humidity so high. But we haven’t had to turn on the A/C yet.
So did you turn on your A/C yet? Do you find yourself ever doing something frugal just because you prefer it? Not because you have to?
15 responses so far ↓
1 Marcia // Jun 5, 2009 at 11:02 am
Hm…we live in coastal So. Cal., where we rarely need AC, though we do have it (previous owner installed it).
used to live in DC though. My dh also has very bad allergies, and he would come home, take meds, close all the windows, and pass out.
Then a doc put him on Rhinocort Aqua (he’s since switched to something that our insurance covers). It was like being married to a WHOLE NEW PERSON. I didn’t care what it cost.
I did turn on the AC last month. We had a few days of 100+ degree weather, made worse by a huge local wildfire. I had some refugees from the fire who definitely enjoyed the AC.
2 Michelle // Jun 5, 2009 at 11:27 am
The humidity here in south west Louisiana is too much for my asthma-so I need the ac. Whenever we lose power I suffer alot-then it raises medical bills. I just wish the apartment I lived in would make this place more energy efficient-every thing is so old and all of the doors and windows leak.
3 Meg // Jun 5, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Living in North Florida and far inland from coastal breezes, it gets hot and sticky. We’ve already had temps in the 90s last month, though it’s mostly been in the 80s. The humidity is what really gets us, though. I hate sleeping with wet sheets and we’re fearful of having mold problems again.
I’ve been trying to keep the AC off as much as possible. I set it to 82 during the day, but turn it down into the mid or high 70s at night and for a few minutes here and there during the day if things need cooling off (like if we use the stove or have been working up a sweat). We use the fans a lot, as well as a dehumidifier in the bedroom (too loud to turn on when we’re in there, though). But lately we haven’t been able to open the windows much because it has been so rainy and humid.
As someone who doesn’t deal well with the heat, I can empathize with those that turn the AC on for medical reasons. It’s one thing to just be a little hot and have to turn the fan on & wear cooler clothes. It’s another to not be able to get as much done because you feel miserable.
4 Forest // Jun 5, 2009 at 3:24 pm
I like saving money which is considered pretty frugal, but I literally enjoy it. Always have. It’s really fun to watch it pile up….slowly.
5 R. May // Jun 5, 2009 at 3:27 pm
I already have had mine running.
1. I have animals who are not heat tolerant.
2. I had a horrible case of poison ivy – hot and sweaty did not help.
I do try to keep it off as much as possible though. No central – just window units. One upstairs and one downstairs. With the help a box fan or two to direct air flow that’s all we need to keep the house comfortable.
6 JoeP // Jun 5, 2009 at 3:44 pm
If you live in a hot and humid area and have medical issues that AC fixes, then you pay for the AC, or get medication. There will always be expenses that some consider luxuries, that are required for medical reasons. We have AC and rarely use it unless it is horribly hot and muggy; ceiling fans work wonders!
7 Jen // Jun 5, 2009 at 5:01 pm
We’ve turned on the ac a few times this year already. I’m trying to use it as infrequently as possible, but I really HATE the nasty humid New York summers.
8 bogart // Jun 5, 2009 at 9:32 pm
We have it on due to DH’s preferences. Not mine, at this stage (~90 degrees, very humid) I’d prefer to have it off and the windows open and enjoy the sounds of the outdoors wafting in, but A/C is cheaper and easier than marriage counseling.
Come the heat of the NC summer, I’ll want it too. We didn’t have it when I was growing up, and my mom spent what I remember as significant time scrubbing mildew out of closets. I’d rather pay for the A/C!
9 Little Miss Moneybags // Jun 5, 2009 at 10:17 pm
I actually don’t even OWN an air conditioner.
I grew up down south (with air conditioning) and prefer the hot, humid summer weather. What happens here in New York is different because the heat is reflecting off all the buildings, but I still don’t feel a need for an a/c.
Granted, I lived with a roommate who had one and it was nice to hang out in her room. And Peanut has one, which means I’ll share it in a month. But we certainly haven’t needed it lately–I was wearing a sweater and a coat today!
10 LAL // Jun 7, 2009 at 2:55 pm
R.May, I also turn on the A/C for my dogs. I recall when we first moved our bichon couln’t take it and I ran out and bought a window A/C for the apartment. He was noticeable suffering on a third floor walkup. It was 100 outside and considerable higher on the third floor.
Bogart, I put it down to investing in my DH not lying down and dying. Although the allergies I can understand. I have to sleep with A/C and windows closed pretty much year round. He can’t take the allergy season with an air purifier!
And I can’t subject him to keep popping pills morning, afternoon, and night. And he hates the shots! Nasal sprays don’t work. Also claritin doesn’t work and allegra has stopped, only zyrtec. But I worry he’ll gain immunity again to it.
My DH also has food allergies so he’s taken the allergy shot as well. That helps a lot.
11 Meg from FruWiki // Jun 7, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Has your DH tried using a neti pot? It takes a little getting used to and you should make sure you have the solution right or it will burn a bit, but I’ve found that it is great for flushing out congestion along with any trapped allergens. It’s the only thing that’s really helped me and I HATE nasal sprays.
Like I said, it takes a bit of getting used to, but it’s not half as bad as nasal sprays, imho. Also, be sure to breath through your mouth when you start — reminds your body that you’re not drowning and then it’s fine, even pleasant feeling.
12 LAL // Jun 7, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Hmm..Maybe I’ll research it and try to convince him. Interesting. But the other problem is he isn’t just congested but his eyes water and tear up and swell. So it’s multiple symptoms.
13 JoeP // Jun 8, 2009 at 8:34 am
Meg: I keep a roll of paper towels by after using my neti pot. Ordinary tissues cannot handle the payload! It does work really well.
14 Meg // Jun 8, 2009 at 7:34 pm
@JoeP
LOL! Glad it’s working so well for you! I snort in the sink a bit, wipe up a bit with water, and then dry with a towel. Though, occasionally, I find myself ‘leaking’ remaining water when I turn my head upside down to blow dry my hair. Gotta remember to do that over the sink or in the shower first!
15 LAL // Jun 10, 2009 at 3:27 pm
My DH refuses to consider it for some reason.
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