Andrew Huff / July 26, 2010 12:03 AM

Some people can't live with out it, others can't stand it. Still others just can't afford it. Where do you fit in?

Myself, I don't like overzealous air-conditioning. Cool is fine, ice-cold is overkill. I've never understood why heat outside is an excuse to drop the temperature inside so low that people are grabbing sweaters.

bob / July 26, 2010 8:49 AM

haven't had air conditioning since 1992. live near the lake so it's a little less oppressive than the further-in neighborhoods/heat islands. i like the heat, even the humidity. there have really only been an handful of days over the years when i thought it might have been nice to have a little air. i think overall we're all over-refrigerated. i don't really think it's all that good for us and is such a big energy suck.

eee / July 26, 2010 11:12 AM

My early years were spent in South Florida, so I'm more tolerant of the heat & humidity than a lot of people. That said, I still don't like it. I use the A/C at home when it's muggy indoors, but I prefer to open the windows and have a breeze and fresh air.

Carrie / July 26, 2010 11:42 AM

I have it and on really hot days, I like it. Having said that, I keep higher than most (at least according to my very unofficial survey amongst friends). I'm happy with it at 78-80. I do try to be responsible with it- no need for me to be covered in a blanket when it's nice and steamy outside. I also like it at night when I don't feel safe sleeping with the windows open (low first floor unit).

annie / July 26, 2010 11:49 AM

Normally I would say Nay. However, there were a few days this summer that I couldn't stand it, nor could the dogs and their incessant panting is unbearable to hear and see.

Baldeesh / July 26, 2010 12:14 PM

Yay. Especially this summer.

We're really lucky and got an apartment with central air. It's so nice to not have to worry about coming home to a wet apartment after a storm.

Carlotta / July 26, 2010 12:23 PM

I'm not a big fan of air conditioning. In my experience summer colds happen when the body can't handle sudden extremes of outdoor heat and indoor freezing. That said, in the past few days I've been thankful for moderate air conditioning at my workplace; I don't have home AC.

flange / July 26, 2010 12:29 PM

i will never live in another chicago apartment without central air again.

coming from the east coast, where it's understood that wood frame houses work really well, i hate chicago's insistence on bruck and masonry just because of that damned fire 140 years ago. wood houses breathe, ventilating so much better.

count me among those who live on top of a three-flat that retains heat like a mofo. i strongly prefer open windows, but even on nice nights i often need to blast the ac for an hour or so before bedtime just to bring it down to a sleep-inducing temp.

trm / July 26, 2010 12:31 PM

yay, 74 degrees all day.

Dubi Kaufmann / July 26, 2010 12:45 PM

Yay, yet the noise is sometimes too much.

rr / July 26, 2010 1:50 PM

Yay, but in moderation.

I am really happy that I have the OPTION of turning on the air conditioning, but I rarely use it.

During the day I almost never use it. At night I prefer to open my windows, but on particularly muggy nights I will turn it on.

At work they crank the air conditioning up so high that I have to wear a sweater.

David / July 26, 2010 3:06 PM

A resounding "yay." Honestly, I don't think I could live in Chicago in the summer if it weren't for it. I seem to be really sensitive to heat and have a really hard time sleeping if I'm not cool.

James / July 26, 2010 3:08 PM

I only turn on my central air when temperatures top 90. And even then I keep it at 77. Otherwise I have ceiling fans for warm evenings. But I do like the option.

LaShawn Williams / July 26, 2010 4:30 PM

Like it's already been said here, a "decent" a/c cool-off is okay--I don't need it to be Alaskan inside my house.

PMan / July 26, 2010 7:24 PM

Theoretically opposed, but it's just been so damn hot and muggy lately. I turn it on on the real hot days, but I can't wait to turn it off. Last night for instance, was great for open-window sleeping.

CVAL / July 26, 2010 8:28 PM

Hell Yay!

Spook / July 26, 2010 9:49 PM

Nay, I haven't used my air conditioner in two years and this year I haven't even used my window fan. I declare myself the true Lizard King.

And tonight as I noticed my exterior lights are out of sync with the declining sunlight, I already feel the lick of the cold and darkness of the coming winter already in me bones

yea, sorry I missed the book question. My summer has been defined by "Elizabeth: I" by Anne Somerset. "Modern women" take note, here was a truly progressive women who thought the idea of a "biological clock" stupid and a women's need to be married, oppressive. Even more exceptional given the total oppressive yoke that women existed under during those days.

And "TRIKSTA"
Life and Death And New Orleans Rap" by Nik Cohn

paul / July 27, 2010 12:07 PM

I don't like window units because of the noise, the cost and the way it stuffs my head up, but I need it on the really bad days in my home office to keep me and my computers working properly.

I've been sleeping without one for years.

Leah / July 27, 2010 2:02 PM

I've been an AC = Yay, but I'm planning on going AC free next summer.

I live on the ground floor without bars on my window... once upon a time in another apartmnent, a guy with a butcher knife came through the window, stole all my cash and tried to rape my roommate. So I'm not too keen on leaving my windows open.

To get ready for next summer going AC Free, I'm going to get ceiling fans this fall and work on the circulation in my condo a bit.

madachode / July 28, 2010 9:54 AM

3 2ton A/C units that run set at 69 24/7 365 days a year. To those that say they are against a/c, get a job so that you can pay your electric bill.

ladki / August 2, 2010 10:04 PM

um, ^^ madachode, i bet you also drive a Hummer. no need to f*ck mother nature so much, loser.

mike / August 2, 2010 11:00 PM

Ladki, trolls are like teeth. Ignore them and they'll go away.