Originally Posted by zipit
I don't want to know what mine is. I am keeping it at 85 and it's running almost constantly. I can't wait for this heat wave to be over.
I dread seeing my water bill as well. I am watering the minimum that I can and make sure my foundation is protected.
Probably need to explain that foundation comment to non-Texans!
The soil there is such that it dries very quickly. Most (nearly all) homes are built on slab foundations. It is more important to keep the ground around the foundations moisturized than it is your landscaping! Because if you don't, the ground cracks, the slab cracks, then the walls separate, and then all "stuff" breaks loose. "Foundation problems" is a dreaded word on real estate flyers/contracts and can sound the death toll for a house sale.
I remember when we first lived in TX. My ex, on hearing this about houses, was out spraying the house itself with water one day. I was horrified and yelled at him....."stop making the bricks colder/wetter than the air lest you cause them to crack or break and the mortar to separate!!" Double engineering major had never thought of it that way. Went back to "watering the foundation" only right quick! Do not "wash" the outside of your house in the heat.
Jan in VA