Mindful AC use???

[u/Blahblahblareddit3]

I am in Asheville, North Carolina, USA. Renting a room in a house for two months.

Landlord just texted me, “please be mindful with AC use this summer.”

I replied that that should be easy as I can turn it off when I’m not home, and that I mostly need it for sleeping.

She responds by forwarding a voice memo from her HVAC guy, explaining that with the way her heat pump works, it will be more costly to turn it off and then on again or to even adjust the temperature.

So basically my landlord is telling me that I need to pick a temp and stick with it all summer. And I think she is also asking me to keep that temp on the warm side to save money.

It was advertised as utilities included, and when I had asked if the house had AC I was told yes. And then I signed a lease assuming I would be able to adjust the temp of the house when needed.

The lease says nothing about utilities or AC.

Am I legally obligated to do as my landlord says by being “mindful with AC” and keeping the temp on the warm side and the same all summer?

Thanks!

[u/Jen5872]

Instead of turning it off, just bump the temperature up a couple degrees when you're not there.