Electric bills!

Shorty2U · ‎03-09-2010

Well this has been talked about before on here. But here I go.

Did you get your new bill yet, and is it high if you are in the area of hot weather? I am in PA and its been hot here non stop.

We got our electric bill yesterday. Its 216 dollars! That's an estimate and I went out to read the meter because if its lower they will down grade the price if you read it on the estimated month. (every other month is estimated, and every other is actual).

Well upon reading the meter I find out it really should be more, so if this heat keeps up its going to be even more next month when they read it.

Don'tget me wrong, I'd rather this weather than Winter and snow. (minus the AC bills...lol). But I am thinking that next year we will put an air conditioner in the bedroom and one downstairs here. That way we will just have one air conditioner on at a time, (one when downstairs and one when in bed). and we wont use the central air since its just DH and I. we don't need it on in the other rooms (except when the grand kids come).

Because there has to be a way to beat these AC bills!..lol..

(Also in Winter it used to be as high too because we have a hot tub on the deck but last year we winterized it after Fall and didn't have it on in Winter to save some there because the past few years we didn't go in it in the Winter)

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make~ The Beatles

JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

Can you go on a budget plan with your power company? We've done that our entire married life with the electric company and gas company and it's really worked well. Every month is the same amount with one "even up" month a year. It makes it easier for us to budget that way and there are no staggering surprises.

Nevadablue · ‎03-09-2010

Want to trade????????????????? We are in Kansas City and last month I paid $521.00 and being the heat has not let up expecting another one this month too. Exactly the reason my home is on the market and we are moving back to Pa. to get away from this cost of living and weather extremes here. But my house is 4000 sq foot so thats not helping either.

CaryH · ‎05-02-2010

What on earth do you have your thermostat set at? Or how old and energy efficient is your HVAC system? Do you use a programmable thermostat?

I am in the middle of the heat wave in Va and my last bill was only $57.

I keep my thermostat at 75 degrees in the summer and its more than comfortable for my son and I (and the pets).

Are you cooling rooms you don't spend much time in? A whole house? That bill just seems way high to me.

Now granted, I live in a condo now but when I was in my house (3500 sq ft) my bill was never more than $150. I miss my house.

hockey mom · ‎05-15-2010

I guess I can't complain. I live in TX its been 100 all this week. The heat index has been as high as 110. I have my AC on all the time set at 78. My electric bill was $123. and that was $20. more then last month. I have a two story house. I'm from Long Island and can remember in an apartment my AC bill was near $300. Hopefully it cools off soon.

Buck-i-Nana · ‎09-28-2010

I had to replace my heating and ac system about 2 years ago. I went with a 93% efficiency system furnace and ac with a seer rating of 16. It's less expensive for me to run my central ac than a window ac unit. In winter, it's cheaper for me to run my furnace than even an energy efficient space heater.

stellabystarlight · ‎03-31-2010

I live in an apartment in Westchester County, New York, and I just received mine - $202 and I am retired and on a fixed income. I need air-conditioning because I have allergies, but Con Edison keeps raising the rates! It is very difficult for older Americans to get by these days.

Shop Till you Drop · ‎03-10-2010

I am in TX as well dealing with this 100 degree temps and that doesnt sound bad. Mine hit the mid 250's this month and next month will be over 300.00. But my winter bill isnt as bad!!

ValuSkr · ‎03-15-2014

Electricity rates vary widely. You might be efficient, or relatively so, but still have a high bill compared to folks in other parts of the country. It might be better to compare kWh.

fthunt · ‎12-24-2010

$216 doesn't seem unreasonable to me. IF you go with window units instead of central air - you must take into account the layout of your rooms. If you have doors on your rooms where you can close off from other rooms - then your idea might work. However, if you have an open floor plan - nope, your A/C window units will have to work overtime to cool the heat that is flowing in your A/C room. That will cost you much more.