Seco Electric Bill

[Bryant]

In March moved from designer home to courtyard villa. My recent electric bill is $43.50 higher than last year. Husband is concerned it is the unit (older than designer home unit). I say it's hotter this year. How does your electric bill compare to last years? Thank you.

[John_W]

We have a 2011 built 2 BR Masonry CYV Woodlawn model, now called a Durham. Our last SECO bill was $93, our highest in quite sometime. Normally it has been in the $85 range. Even in winter our bill has never hits $100 except in our first year. When we moved in we had a 50" Panasonic Plasma TV and our bill was normally about $110 to $115. In 2012 we replaced that TV with an Vizio 60" LED HD TV and our bills as I mentioned earlier are in the $80 - $90 range. We also operate a 42" Samsung LED HD TV in the bedroom since the beginning. It seems a Plasma TV was adding 75 cents to a $1 per day to our electricity. We have the Carrier unit that came with our home, I believe it's a 2 ton unit, which is really more than necessary for our 1150 SF.

[Chatbrat]

If you really want to save $$ put your hot water off when you go to sleep & put it on when you get up--or install a timer

[Boomer]

Same Time Last Year.........

Our bill was lower last year for the same time period.

The compared bills show we are using an average of 8 kwh per day more this year, for the same month. But I don't know where we set the thermostat at the same time last year. That's a big unknown.

The average daily temperature chart on the SECO website shows 82 degrees for the billing period -- for both years.

The only thing I know for sure is we have not varied the temperature this summer and this bill is 30 dollars higher than last month.

[Bryant]

We have a 2011 built 2 BR Masonry CYV Woodlawn model, now called a Durham. Our last SECO bill was $93, our highest in quite sometime. Normally it has been in the $85 range. Even in winter our bill has never hits $100 except in our first year. When we moved in we had a 50" Panasonic Plasma TV and our bill was normally about $110 to $115. In 2012 we replaced that TV with an Vizio 60" LED HD TV and our bills as I mentioned earlier are in the $80 - $90 range. We also operate a 42" Samsung LED HD TV in the bedroom since the beginning. It seems a Plasma TV was adding 75 cents to a $1 per day to our electricity. We have the Carrier unit that came with our home, I believe it's a 2 ton unit, which is really more than necessary for our 1150 SF.

$93? That's awesome. My unit is original (1999). Seems to run quite a lot lately. Bill for 5/26 to 6/27 (32 days) is $144.86. It shows 39 KWH/Day. 1286 sq. ft. CYV. Last year in designer 1540 sq. ft., usage was 26 KWH/Day (30 days) and bill was $98.36. Thought the move would save me money

[rexxfan]

For what its worth, for May 8 to June 9 2015 (32 days) with us up north for the summer and the thermostat left set to 82F we used 243 kwh. For May 10 through June 8 2016 (29 days) with us up north for the summer and the thermostat left set to 84F we used 205 kwh. Doing the arithmetic, that's 7.6 kwh/day last year versus 7.1 this year. The half a kwh/day drop this year is likely nearly completely explained by the slightly higher setting we left the thermostat at this year versus last, so there doesn't appear to be anything unusual going on with the rates and the average temperatures look about the same this year as last.
--
Bob C

P.S. Just received June bill and the usage was up significantly, from 7 kwh/day to 12.88 for the period. That seems like a lot, but if you look at the ratio of cooling degree days data they have for TV (at Weather Underground) for June versus May (541/362) its in the same ballpark, so not terribly surprising.

[debow]

In March moved from designer home to courtyard villa. My recent electric bill is $43.50 higher than last year. Husband is concerned it is the unit (older than designer home unit). I say it's hotter this year. How does your electric bill compare to last years? Thank you.

Lots,of variables to consider. My CYV is up from last year for June but still not too unreasonable. Pretty sure this has been a hotter month. I'd wait a couple of months to see if bills even out. Good luck.

[Topspinmo]

Lots,of variables to consider. My CYV is up from last year for June but still not too unreasonable. Pretty sure this has been a hotter month. I'd wait a couple of months to see if bills even out. Good luck.

Yes one being what's the a/c themostat set on. It will be considerable more set below 74 degrees, if will have to run almost 24 hours day to keep house that cool especially when the evening temp. don't cool down much below 80 and the day time temps are mid 90s. I think brick or concrete build home hold heat for the sun longer hand wood frame home?

[Nucky]

About half of where we moved from. To good to be true!

[Chatbrat]

69 @ night, 74 during the day---$177. last month, still way cheaper than NC

[kcrazorbackfan]

76 all day/night long; Seabreeze Cottage, $127 last mo., we do use small Vornado fans to keep the air moving.

[jebartle]

If you really want to save $$ put your hot water off when you go to sleep & put it on when you get up--or install a timer

after running your car, leave it outside of garage until car cools off.

[RickeyD]

after running your car, leave it outside of garage until car cools off.



Yes, considerable amount of BTU's stored in a cast iron block.

[Topspinmo]

69 @ night, 74 during the day---$177. last month, still way cheaper than NC

How many bed sheets/covers do you sleep under? :cold:

[Topspinmo]

Yes, considerable amount of BTU's stored in a cast iron block.

Most blocks are aluminum now:$::p

[photo1902]

Most blocks are aluminum now:$::p

Not to mention how would placing a recently driven vehicle in the garage, dramatically affect the inside temp of a home?!!

[Topspinmo]

76 all day/night long; Seabreeze Cottage, $127 last mo., we do use small Vornado fans to keep the air moving.

$118 set on 77 with ceiling fans moving air. Set it any lower my lungs fluid up.

[Topspinmo]

Not to mention how would placing a recently driven vehicle in the garage, dramatically affect the inside temp of a home?!!

Heats up garage which radiates heat to inside of house and attic is my guess?

[photo1902]

Heats up garage which radiates heat to inside of house and attic is my guess?

The inside of my garage door is presently 116 degrees. The door from the garage to my laundry room (interior side) is 78 degrees (as measured with a laser digital thermometer). Next time, soon after parking my car inside, I'll do an experiment and check. My guess, the result would be neglible.

[Fredster]

$93? That's awesome. My unit is original (1999). Seems to run quite a lot lately. Bill for 5/26 to 6/27 (32 days) is $144.86. It shows 39 KWH/Day. 1286 sq. ft. CYV. Last year in designer 1540 sq. ft., usage was 26 KWH/Day (30 days) and bill was $98.36. Thought the move would save me money

Your CYV is older, does it have thermopane Windows?
The other thought is if the AC unit is older it may not be as efficient as a newer unit.
Has your AC unit been checked out it may be low on refrigerant.

[asianthree]

Up north set at 80. Bill was $68. For a Lilly

[Boomer]

The inside of my garage door is presently 116 degrees. The door from the garage to my laundry room (interior side) is 78 degrees (as measured with a laser digital thermometer). Next time, soon after parking my car inside, I'll do an experiment and check. My guess, the result would be neglible.

I don't know what that is but I want one.

[justjim]

No question about it the new AC units are much more efficient than an older unit. OP, your husband may be correct regarding an older AC unit. Our designer home (one year old) SECO bill for 5/26 -6/27 (32 days) was $70.14. Thermostat set at 78 and I believe humidistat set at 50%. Very reasonable.

[photo1902]

I don't know what that is but I want one.

LOL. I got mine at Lowe's for $29.99. Caution though, you find yourself checking the temperature of everything! Walmart has them as well.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/16491328?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222228017083642&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=56055519056&wl4=pla-100134033896&wl5=9012419&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=16491328&wl13=&veh=sem

[golfing eagles]

Total energy cost for our Laurel Oak, 2540 sq ft, 7/15-6/16 = $1809.09. Total energy cost NY home 7/14-6/15 = $5978.29. Lots of variables, but substantial difference---I'm not going to worry if it's $20 higher next year

[biker1]

Our designer home averages 27 kWhs per day for the entire year.16 kWhs per day are what I call "baseline" (everything but HVAC). HVAC averages 11 kWhs per day for the entire year.

No question about it the new AC units are much more efficient than an older unit. OP, your husband may be correct regarding an older AC unit. Our designer home (one year old) SECO bill for 5/26 -6/27 (32 days) was $70.14. Thermostat set at 78 and I believe humidistat set at 50%. Very reasonable.

[patfla06]

Our designer Ivy (2600 sq ft) runs about $150/month.
Our Tampa house used to run us about $500/month.
Another reason we love T.V. 😉

[Chatbrat]

According to med research the best temp for sleeping is between 60-67, I would like it lower than 69 we use, but I don't want to go to battle stations with the admiral

[PennBF]

What planet am I living on? Designer home 77 during day and 70 at night. March bill $82, June Bill $267. Called SECO to ask what
is going on and then looked at prior years and they ran the same as this one. Called A/C guy and had the unit examined inside home and out and his conclusion all is running fine. Called SECO and told them to forget it as it looks like it is normal. (In fact in a prior year, same period price was $20 higher.) Will wait until it drops dead and then buy a more efficient unit.:popcorn:

[Chatbrat]

A laser gun is a remote reading thermometer, used it a lot when we lived on a motor yacht to check engine manifold- & exhaust temps very useful tool, great when using a grill for pizza

[Chatbrat]

You don't want to have to replace anything until it drops dead--they you MUST have it & you really are in no position to negotiate

Be prepared to move out of your house if the AC craps out and has to be replaced, happened to use back in 95 when we were in St.Pete

[Bryant]

Your CYV is older, does it have thermopane Windows?
The other thought is if the AC unit is older it may not be as efficient as a newer unit.
Has your AC unit been checked out it may be low on refrigerant.

Double pane windows. AC unit serviced right after we moved in. Will be checked 2x per year per contract. It probably isn't very efficient. Keep thermostat at a steady 78 degrees and keep blinds closed when sun coming in.

[2BNTV]

I had friend over and try to lower my temp to 72 and it took awhile to get several degrees lower. I thought I had a problem.

I had my A/C checked by Chuck Farrell and he said everything was fine. He said even newer units were having problems in this extreme heat. My unit is 18 years old.

I said it must have one foot on the banana peel and the other foot in the coffin. :D He recommended having it replaced in the winter months and to watch my bills as they will be higher than usual in this extremely hot summer.

Man, it's been hot, hot, hot. :smiley:

[RickeyD]

Most blocks are aluminum now:$::p



Don't care, my 327 is iron [emoji51] actually it's a 331 ( .030 over )

[Nucky]

We just moved from Jersey, our electric bill on the budget plan was $220 a month and the Oil bill which also supplied the hot water averaged $3600 per year. Total $6240 a year. $520 a month and I don't know the square footage. PSE&G was the electric provider...a fantastic company. They gave our power back 4 days after The Sandy Storm. Great stock to own....always steady with penny's from heaven.

[Chatbrat]

Had a 336, .060 over-knocked out 538 HP with that engine--not streetable- was an 8500 RPM drag car only

[Roaddog53]

Here is a site for heating and cooling degree days comparison years for any zip code. For zip code 32162, it was only 2% hotter for June 2015, than June 2016. So that leaves setting thermostats lower this year versus last year, not having humidistat set for those who have them at 50% as recommended. AC doesn't have to be set as low than. Maybe an appliance was added, company was over this year which takes more AC to keep house cooler, more water heater usage ,more dishwasher usage, lights on more...,Many variables have to be considered. My bill was up about 9% this month versus last year but I also added a spa last month, so pretty flat.
Btw. Insulating my garage door dropped the heat in garage significantly. I also have a thermal gun and it showed 115+ before on door versus 90s now.

Weather Data Depot: free downloads of heating & cooling degree days (http://www.weatherdatadepot.com/?gclid=CKWf3uz_6c0CFVdahgodPPkJ8w)
Monthly Degree Day Comparison (Station: FLVI View Map)
Base Year (2015) Comparison Year (2016) Comparison Percentages
Month HDD CDD TDD HDD CDD TDD HDD CDD TDD
January 116 75 191 148 53 201 27% -29% 5%
February 117 34 151 97 97 194 -17% 185% 28%
March 9 339 348 9 318 327 -6% -6%
April 0 475 475 0 380 380 -20% -20%
May 0 564 564 0 537 537 -4% -4%
June 0 681 681 0 696 696 2% 2%
July 0 710 710
August 0 707 707
September 0 631 631
October 0 463 463
November 6 419 425
December 8 345 353
Through June 242 2168 2410 254 2081 2335 5% -4% -3%
Annual Total 256 5443 5699

[sunset seeker]

Just moved in.... Des SECO put you on a budget plan after a year or is it an actual bill every month. Have been worried about the bill... I think the A/C is running 100% of the time!!! :-O

[KittyKat]

Welcome, sunset seeker(s)! I've been here 9 years and have never been offered a budget plan so I don't think so. You are not going to have such a swing in temperatures as up North so no "surprise" high bills. You will like your bill during the winter down here.

[daca55]

We have a 2011 built 2 BR Masonry CYV Woodlawn model, now called a Durham. Our last SECO bill was $93, our highest in quite sometime. Normally it has been in the $85 range. Even in winter our bill has never hits $100 except in our first year. When we moved in we had a 50" Panasonic Plasma TV and our bill was normally about $110 to $115. In 2012 we replaced that TV with an Vizio 60" LED HD TV and our bills as I mentioned earlier are in the $80 - $90 range. We also operate a 42" Samsung LED HD TV in the bedroom since the beginning. It seems a Plasma TV was adding 75 cents to a $1 per day to our electricity. We have the Carrier unit that came with our home, I believe it's a 2 ton unit, which is really more than necessary for our 1150 SF.

For what its worth, for May 8 to June 9 2015 (32 days) with us up north for the summer and the thermostat left set to 82F we used 243 kwh. For May 10 through June 8 2016 (29 days) with us up north for the summer and the thermostat left set to 84F we used 205 kwh. Doing the arithmetic, that's 7.6 kwh/day last year versus 7.1 this year. The half a kwh/day drop this year is likely nearly completely explained by the slightly higher setting we left the thermostat at this year versus last, so there doesn't appear to be anything unusual going on with the rates and the average temperatures look about the same this year as last.
--
Bob C
Do you have a humidistat? I think you would save a bit more if you had one.

[vlm790]

My SECO bill went up last month for no real reason so I called and asked them to come re-read my meter. They did and realized they made a mistake. They credited my account $57. Might be worth a call to SECO!!!

[genobambino]

There's a lot of variable, not all thermostats read the same temp. maybe you have it set the same but it's really a degree lower. Also check the insulation in the attic, sometimes they do a terrible job of covering the entire attic

[Carla B]

My SECO bill went up last month for no real reason so I called and asked them to come re-read my meter. They did and realized they made a mistake. They credited my account $57. Might be worth a call to SECO!!!

Twice SECO has misread our meter. After we got the really high bills we checked the meter ourselves and the readings were much lower. A call to SECO straightened the matter out.

Our thermostat is also two degrees off. When it registers 80 deg. it really is 78 deg. in the room.

[biker1]

There is a good chance you can go into one of the maintenance panels on your thermostat and apply an adjustment to have it display the correct temperature. Google the model of thermostat and you can find the instruction manual on-line.


Twice SECO has misread our meter. After we got the really high bills we checked the meter ourselves and the readings were much lower. A call to SECO straightened the matter out.

Our thermostat is also two degrees off. When it registers 80 deg. it really is 78 deg. in the room.

[OhioBuckeye]

I'm sure some of it has to do with all levels of govt. with the rise of everything. We really don't have a choice what they charge for electricity, it's regulated by our local & state govt. & I'm sure it's passed down from higher up. Right now I'm vacationing at Robson Ranch in Texas & the electric bills are never over 50 to $70. a month, depending on the size of your house. If it's over say $50. a month, they pay it & they do what they say because my daughter & grand daughter live in the area. So I'm sure you'll just have to suck it up & pay it. It's really a shame our govt's don't give us retirees & the ones that are on a fixed income some kind of a break. They're going to get our retirements & pensions somehow.

[drmeyer4575]

Just much hotter this year!!

[rexxfan]

Do you have a humidistat? I think you would save a bit more if you had one.

My Nest thermostat has a humidity sensor and I have set it to use the a/c to reduce the humidity if it gets too high (even if that means cooling below the temp I have set). So, no, I don't have a humidistat per se, but I am somewhat protected against the humidity going too high.
--
Bob C

[villagerjack]

For what its worth, for May 8 to June 9 2015 (32 days) with us up north for the summer and the thermostat left set to 82F we used 243 kwh. For May 10 through June 8 2016 (29 days) with us up north for the summer and the thermostat left set to 84F we used 205 kwh. Doing the arithmetic, that's 7.6 kwh/day last year versus 7.1 this year. The half a kwh/day drop this year is likely nearly completely explained by the slightly higher setting we left the thermostat at this year versus last, so there doesn't appear to be anything unusual going on with the rates and the average temperatures look about the same this year as last.
--
Bob C

How much was your bill?

[perrjojo]

I'm sure some of it has to do with all levels of govt. with the rise of everything. We really don't have a choice what they charge for electricity, it's regulated by our local & state govt. & I'm sure it's passed down from higher up. Right now I'm vacationing at Robson Ranch in Texas & the electric bills are never over 50 to $70. a month, depending on the size of your house. If it's over say $50. a month, they pay it & they do what they say because my daughter & grand daughter live in the area. So I'm sure you'll just have to suck it up & pay it. It's really a shame our govt's don't give us retirees & the ones that are on a fixed income some kind of a break. They're going to get our retirements & pensions somehow.

Wow! I am very familiar with Robson Ranch and lived in that area most of my life. They must have some amazing energy features because I never had summer bills less than $200.

[biker1]

It appears that our electricity cost is about 20% higher than Texas. Texas is also deregulated but I don't know the impact of that on their electricity cost. Florida appears to be right around the national average for the cost of electricity. If you lived in the Northeast, Alaska, California or Hawaii, you would be paying a lot more. The states with significant amounts of hydroelectric power appear to have relatively low cost electricity.

I'm sure some of it has to do with all levels of govt. with the rise of everything. We really don't have a choice what they charge for electricity, it's regulated by our local & state govt. & I'm sure it's passed down from higher up. Right now I'm vacationing at Robson Ranch in Texas & the electric bills are never over 50 to $70. a month, depending on the size of your house. If it's over say $50. a month, they pay it & they do what they say because my daughter & grand daughter live in the area. So I'm sure you'll just have to suck it up & pay it. It's really a shame our govt's don't give us retirees & the ones that are on a fixed income some kind of a break. They're going to get our retirements & pensions somehow.

[biker1]

Unfortunately, they did not install variable speed air handlers (at least the homes that are 2 years old don't have them), which makes humidity control somewhat easier.

My Nest thermostat has a humidity sensor and I have set it to use the a/c to reduce the humidity if it gets too high (even if that means cooling below the temp I have set). So, no, I don't have a humidistat per se, but I am somewhat protected against the humidity going too high.
--
Bob C

[alemorkam]

Just received my bill for period 6/6 - 7/6. Amarillo with florida room. $211.00. Most ever.

[BK001]

What planet am I living on? Designer home 77 during day and 70 at night. March bill $82, June Bill $267. Called SECO to ask what
is going on and then looked at prior years and they ran the same as this one. Called A/C guy and had the unit examined inside home and out and his conclusion all is running fine. Called SECO and told them to forget it as it looks like it is normal. (In fact in a prior year, same period price was $20 higher.) Will wait until it drops dead and then buy a more efficient unit.:popcorn:


I guess we live on the same planet -- my current bill (first full month since we moved in) is also $267 - that's for a 2100 sq ft Lantana. The thermostat is set at 78 degrees.

[calibantwo]

My electric bill has remained consistent for the last few years. Two or three dollar difference for weather variations.

[Jima64]

I'm sure some of it has to do with all levels of govt. with the rise of everything. We really don't have a choice what they charge for electricity, it's regulated by our local & state govt. & I'm sure it's passed down from higher up. Right now I'm vacationing at Robson Ranch in Texas & the electric bills are never over 50 to $70. a month, depending on the size of your house. If it's over say $50. a month, they pay it & they do what they say because my daughter & grand daughter live in the area. So I'm sure you'll just have to suck it up & pay it. It's really a shame our govt's don't give us retirees & the ones that are on a fixed income some kind of a break. They're going to get our retirements & pensions somehow.

I will take this area and stay out of the tornado region.

[Dutchman]

Small ranch in DelMar purchased in May. Still in PA until September. Set thermostat @ 79, turned off Hot water heater & set refrig/freezer to lowest settings. Bill-Duke Energy-for 6/10-7/8 $45.99. Beats the $240 in PA with a/c @ 74 and pool pump running 12 hours a day.

[Opmoochler]

I guess we live on the same planet -- my current bill (first full month since we moved in) is also $267 - that's for a 2100 sq ft Lantana. The thermostat is set at 78 degrees.

Current bill for our Lantana was $175 w/ thermostat set at 76 24/7 and ceiling fans on low. That's the highest bill by about $25 since we got here in mid-Sept. Our house is about 8-9 years old.

[jebartle]

Contact energyservices@secoenergy.com and they will come out and find out why your bill is high.

[New York Transplant]

Doesn't it depend on the unit, the age of the unit and if it's energy efficient or not?