What was the remedy if the system did not cool by 20 degrees? A new system or maintenance?

I’m not aware of that in a contract. I had a new higher efficiency heat pump installed in my 11 year old courtyard villa. It’s very quiet. I keep it at 71° 24/7 all year around. My electric bills vary from about $60 to $100. That’s around two or three dollars a day to live in comfort, even when it’s very hot and humid out or below freezing.

Marvin, I would also be concerned if you buy a house with an enclosed lanai facing west. Talk about HOT!!

[QUOTE=CarlR33;2307719]I should have used the word "recommended", not "required".

OSHA's Indoor Temperature and Humidity Regulations and Standards

The units are heat pumps, not a simple air conditioner. Responsible to cool in the summer, and heat in the winter.
When it is mid 30's outside, it has no trouble keeping my house 40 degrees warmer without powering up the aux heating element.
When it's 100 outside, no trouble keeping my house 30 degrees cooler.
The unit is no where near running 100% of the time, so plenty of available capacity left.

A big factor is the home construction. Newer houses are built with better insulation and better insulated windows. Much less heat transfer in modern builds.

A/C
 

We keep our indoor at 74 for a/c all year, humiday setting at 50.

you seem to waste your time reading the posts and answer them quite often :confused:

All of the newer homes in TV have their heat pumps sized smaller because they are intended to run longer to eliminate the humidity in the house. I had ours evaluated and the Florida guidance charts show I should have at least 1/2 ton larger than what I have. But many other site and talking with contractors, you want a smaller unit to get rid of the humidity.
No problem maintaining a 20 degree difference.

I have a stick built house that we had built adding extra insulation in the ceilings and walls and have very low electric bills even keeping the house at 76 all summer. Never had a bill over $100 and average $80 a month over summer. We have a 3 bed/2 car, 1,800 Sq ft house. Best money we ever spent on the added insulation at build, house stays warm in winter too.

Just a word of advice. Even if you have a brand new AC unit, keep a portable AC unit tucked away for emergencies. I speak from experience…if your unit goes out during the high temp/humidity weather you will be happy that you have a backup. It may only cool one room but at least you will have a comfortable night’s sleep. Even if you can get a tech to come out they may not have the part you need available. Plan ahead and just as a flashlight is a blessing when the lights go out at night, a portable AC unit will be worth the $300 it is likely to cost you. You will be thankful.

What you really want is a system with a variable speed compressor. With a variable speed compressor, your system could run continuously, mostly at a low speed and ramping up when necessary. This approach will mostly eliminate cycling and reduce wear on the system, and help maintain temperature and humidity. Unfortunately, The Villages doesn't go this route but you can when the original system needs replacing. We had a two speed Carrier Infinity system (50% and 100% compressor speed plus variable speed air handler) in a previous house and it worked great. We currently have a Mitsubishi mini-split for the lanai and it can ramp anywhere from 25 to 100% of the nominal capacity. Works great.

Not a problem. We keep our house at 74° at night and 78° during the day in the summer. Never had a problem.

We feel the best way to navigate the florida climate is to acclimate. We dont use AC in the car, just open windows. We spend time outside and keep the house at 79, cooler than the outside but not as big a difference. I think a 20 degree difference is a lot. But the downside is we freeze in stores and restaurants.

I am originally from NY. Air conditioning thermostats were set for 72 -74 degrees. I have been in Florida since '07. I have always set my thermostat at 79 degrees during the day and 78 at night. Once you are down here for an extended period of time, your blood thins. If you set your thermostat at 72, you are wasting your money and your bills will be very high.

In the summer we set day temp at 73 and night temp at 68. We like to sleep with a blanket. We also leave our slider cracked open several hours during the day. Never have a problem. It always maintains.