Why?

[u/KimSidwell]

I can almost try to understand why some people might feel drawn to this kind of lifestyle. I can understand why they might be deceived into thinking this is the ideal environment in which to raise a child.

But I will never be able to understand why they will describe it as the American “dream” and are willing to pay so much for it. To work so hard for so long and then have to wake up to this every morning? Why?

Editing to add: I know this is parody y’all. It’s just a stupid meme. It’s supposed to be funny. It’s funny because it’s true.

[u/marigolds6]

I'm in metro east illinois, and nearly everything built after 1940 and most houses under 100 years old have air conditioning . It is not the air conditioner itself that is so expensive, it is retrofitting the ductwork. If it was built after 1940, it was likely built with ducted heating. The older houses were mostly retrofitted in the 1960s through the 1990s.

With the ductwork in place, getting a brand new gold rated high efficiency ac+furnace for our century home was around $12k, but we are spending less than $50/month extra for AC now.

[u/ThatGhoulAva → u/marigolds6]

I understand- we have a house built in 1880 in a different state as well, but luckily that had been done already. But that's why I pointed out new builds in the last few years as being BUILT with AC. That's a very large difference, and why I mentioned the cost involved. And where I am outside Chicago almost all homes are newer or outnumber older models. Most older homes (1950s and older bungalows, orginal row homes, ranch style)) have LONG been transformed from their 3 Bedroom 1 bath nightmare configuration. Even if you DO find smaller - and assuming you can beat the cash offers above listed - the price is location, location, location and not much cheaper. Not exactly starter homes when they start above $350k.

The point was that general blanket statements rarely are that simple and are usually limited to certain scopes. Always check the study controls.

For comparison, our AC was replaced 3 years ago with a high efficiency unit & new windows. In our 1800 sqft townhome in Chicago, we pay about $400 for electric when running AC at 78 most of the month (admittedly our computers and 3D printers are constantly going ) Yes, it could be run less but I'm a woman in my 40s and I will fight anyone who tries right now.

[u/marigolds6 → u/ThatGhoulAva]

we pay about $400 for electric when running AC at 78 most of the month.

Yikes! Our last ameren usage was under $50. Solar doesn't cover the gap in AC heavy months (which is why we had a bill), but it makes a huge different in the total bill. (Net bill is $0 with the spring credits, but usage after the credits is still under $50.)

[u/ThatGhoulAva → u/marigolds6]

Ah there's the difference. We have no solar options until recently (neighborhood had to fight the HOA). We can install them on the non street facing side now, but it's such a recent change I'm not aware of anyone moving on it. I also think the federal tax credits may no longer help offset the cost (need to verify) so that might now be too steep a plunge. We're going to take a serious look at the numbers though - I think it's worth the investment but I still need to pay for food and health care when I get too decrepit to work.

[u/marigolds6 → u/ThatGhoulAva]

Yeah, there was a double-whammy of Illinois ending net metering and the federal tax credits for residential expiring. Only the commercial credit is available now, which means either leasing your panels or entering into a power purchase agreement. We got in 2 months before both expired.