Thermostat Settings and Filters - 2 Stage AC

[asiano]

I live in South Florida - so it is quite hot and humid throughout the summer. When my new AC was installed (Rheem 18 SEER 2 stage unit) - the dealer recommended that I not raise the temperature more than 2 degrees when I leave the house. He also recommended that I buy the cheaper non-pleated filters as the pleated filters can restrict the airflow.

With my prior AC, I followed the Energy Star guidelines and increased the temperature from 78 degees to 85 when I left the house. The dealer said that it did not make sense to do that with the 2 stage units as it would force the unit to use both stages more often. That was his same rationale for not using the pleated filters as most homeowners keep those filters for 60-90 days and it would reduce the airflow forcing the unit to run with both stages more frequently. Does this make any sense? I just want to program my thermostat and buy the correct filters this weekend.

Thanks

[ampulman]

Living where you are, and assuming you'll be gone for some time, you'll probably pay a penalty for raising the stat to such a level, as a/c units do much better maintaining temperature, but work longer to recover from a high set up.

I'll let the PROs comment on the filter.

Amp

[sktn77a]

The dealer is wrong (about the thermostat setting). Go ahead and raise the temperature all you want (it's not like setback heating with a heatpump). Yes, the system will kick into second stage when you turn it back down but it will use less energy than leaving it at the same temperature while you're away.

He's right about the 1" pleated filters. If you don't have have an additional filter anywhere, you can try the 4/5" filters that can fit into a 1" filter return grill/box.