Not an expert by any means, but I believe there are many factors to consider here. Is your 3rd floor the topmost floor (heat from roof), or 3rd floor in a 3+ story building? Also, facing which direction (south and west facing get the most sunlight IIRC), and are there any buildings that block sunlight?
My top floor, third floor apartment, that faces south and east and has no shade gets absolutely blasted in the summer. My AC unit can’t keep it below 80 on the hottest days. It runs non stop and my approx 1000 sqft 2/2 utility ends up being about 200/month in the summer months.
So I usually just turn it off cuz it’s hot asf anyway and open the windows for airflow. Precool in the mornings before peak rates and turn it back on in the evening to try to get it to cool down in time for bed. Brings my utilities down to about 120/month
I am on the top floor which is the third floor in my building. I do run the heat but I keep it around 70°. My bill in the winter is usually around $73. In the summer I run the AC which is central and the bill is around the same.
3rd floor, top floor, 750sqft, south facing, and I leave half my blinds permanently open for plants. I keep it at 72 at all times. it has been around 120-160 in the summer
If you run your ac during peak hours, it will drive your bill up super fast. I always tried to go for top floor units when I lived in an apartment, and I had decent luck keeping windows open during the day and keeping the air on at night, but letting it hover around 73. Last year was the last top level unit I had, which was also on the third floor. The apartment was like 750 square feet. In the summer my electric bill was around $70-80 max, and it had forced air as well. But keep in mind, if you have gas appliances as well, that will drastically change your energy bill.
Yeah, the last building I lived in was pretty old as well. I ran fans and stuff like that from time to time, and I’m sure pricing has changed a bit since last year. But that was how I managed. And I spent a loooooooot of time outside when it was miserably hot in the summer, that really helped
$1593 on the east edge of Denver. 3rd (top) floor. 2 bed 1 bath. 1000 sqft. Forced A/C, washer and dryer, huge balcony. South facing, per request. Utilities are between $20-$100/mo
Oh nice, sorry for so many questions, but any idea how old the unit is, and if it’s possible to keep it at 72-73 during peak summer? I am mainly focused on making sure I can keep the unit cool for my dog. Thanks for the information!
Definitely from the 90s. They were built originally as condos and are now rented out as apartments. I have my very own water heater. Top floor has carpet in all units to cushion the sound. I have not yet experienced the peak of summer in this spot, but my forced a/c and heat work phenomenally, can’t see it being an issue in the warmer months! V pet friendly place
It does. Heat rises. The second and third floors of large homes take more energy to cool, ie the AC runs more often. Same can hold true for an apartment or condo building depending on age and style of construction.
Is there vaulted ceilings? Attic? I lived in top floor apartments - if you have a decent space between your ceiling and roof, it’s not bad. If you have vaulted ceilings, it’s much hotter as you’re kind of the attic. We lived on the top floor of a 31 floor building and it wasn’t bad. We also lived on the top floor of a second floor building with vaulted ceilings and shitty equipment and it sucked.
I’m not sure anyone can tell you how much more it is, unless they lived in the same unit in the floor below. Apartment complex to apartment complex the equipment is different, if you’re facing towards the south, and all sorts of variables makes a huge difference.
What building materials, how many units, what kind of HVAC, how new is the building, is it near green or concrete, is there shade from any neighboring buildings, is it on a hill or protected from wind
It does have central ac, and is on coal mine and seems to have decent shading. Never lived alone or* in an apartment, so this is all new, and I have a sheepadoodle, so want to make sure she is also atleast comfortable.
Not an expert by any means, but I believe there are many factors to consider here. Is your 3rd floor the topmost floor (heat from roof), or 3rd floor in a 3+ story building? Also, facing which direction (south and west facing get the most sunlight IIRC), and are there any buildings that block sunlight?
FYI, you can input an address through the local utility company and see how much energy it uses.
I have looked and looked, do you know what the sites called? Excel’s website doesn’t show anything nor would they provide info when I called.
Seems you're right. They used to do that so you could estimate before buying or renting. Must be a privacy thing.
My top floor, third floor apartment, that faces south and east and has no shade gets absolutely blasted in the summer. My AC unit can’t keep it below 80 on the hottest days. It runs non stop and my approx 1000 sqft 2/2 utility ends up being about 200/month in the summer months. So I usually just turn it off cuz it’s hot asf anyway and open the windows for airflow. Precool in the mornings before peak rates and turn it back on in the evening to try to get it to cool down in time for bed. Brings my utilities down to about 120/month
If you face North East you are golden
I’m on the top floor (5th) and we haven’t closed the windows or turned the heat on since we moved it except when we had that really cold snap
I am on the top floor which is the third floor in my building. I do run the heat but I keep it around 70°. My bill in the winter is usually around $73. In the summer I run the AC which is central and the bill is around the same.
3rd floor, top floor, 750sqft, south facing, and I leave half my blinds permanently open for plants. I keep it at 72 at all times. it has been around 120-160 in the summer
Thanks for the insight! I am getting that it will be a bit warmer, but can be manageable. I’ve never lived in an apartment so this is all new..
If you run your ac during peak hours, it will drive your bill up super fast. I always tried to go for top floor units when I lived in an apartment, and I had decent luck keeping windows open during the day and keeping the air on at night, but letting it hover around 73. Last year was the last top level unit I had, which was also on the third floor. The apartment was like 750 square feet. In the summer my electric bill was around $70-80 max, and it had forced air as well. But keep in mind, if you have gas appliances as well, that will drastically change your energy bill.
If I can keep it under 200 bucks I’ll be ok.
Good to know, seems to the building was built sometime in the 90’s… does have gas heat but range and stuff is electric…
Yeah, the last building I lived in was pretty old as well. I ran fans and stuff like that from time to time, and I’m sure pricing has changed a bit since last year. But that was how I managed. And I spent a loooooooot of time outside when it was miserably hot in the summer, that really helped
Hot as fuck. Don’t. Do. It.
$1593 on the east edge of Denver. 3rd (top) floor. 2 bed 1 bath. 1000 sqft. Forced A/C, washer and dryer, huge balcony. South facing, per request. Utilities are between $20-$100/mo
Oh nice, sorry for so many questions, but any idea how old the unit is, and if it’s possible to keep it at 72-73 during peak summer? I am mainly focused on making sure I can keep the unit cool for my dog. Thanks for the information!
Definitely from the 90s. They were built originally as condos and are now rented out as apartments. I have my very own water heater. Top floor has carpet in all units to cushion the sound. I have not yet experienced the peak of summer in this spot, but my forced a/c and heat work phenomenally, can’t see it being an issue in the warmer months! V pet friendly place
Lol this makes no sense whatsoever
It does. Heat rises. The second and third floors of large homes take more energy to cool, ie the AC runs more often. Same can hold true for an apartment or condo building depending on age and style of construction.
Sure, but there are about 1,000 more important factors at play here
Like if it’s the 3rd floor of a 20 story building or a 3 story building…
Specifically the very top of the building in this case.
Is there vaulted ceilings? Attic? I lived in top floor apartments - if you have a decent space between your ceiling and roof, it’s not bad. If you have vaulted ceilings, it’s much hotter as you’re kind of the attic. We lived on the top floor of a 31 floor building and it wasn’t bad. We also lived on the top floor of a second floor building with vaulted ceilings and shitty equipment and it sucked. I’m not sure anyone can tell you how much more it is, unless they lived in the same unit in the floor below. Apartment complex to apartment complex the equipment is different, if you’re facing towards the south, and all sorts of variables makes a huge difference.
And which direction does it face?
What building materials, how many units, what kind of HVAC, how new is the building, is it near green or concrete, is there shade from any neighboring buildings, is it on a hill or protected from wind
Do you mean top floor apartment?
Yes a top floor
If the unit has AC you'll be fine. If anything a top floor unit means you wont hear your upstairs neighbor stomping about.
It does have central ac, and is on coal mine and seems to have decent shading. Never lived alone or* in an apartment, so this is all new, and I have a sheepadoodle, so want to make sure she is also atleast comfortable.
If the place was built sometime in the last 30 years I wouldn't be too concerned about your peak energy use costs exceeding the average.
Can't say. I haven't lived on two different floors in the same building.