[Karen83]

We just recieved our first electric bill and I am shocked and think that it can't be right. The home we are renting is around 1800 square ft. and our bill was $188. Is this in line with any of your bills? I hate to see what it will be in the heat of the summer if this is correct. We don't keep it cold in here for sure!

Someone PLEASE tell me this has to be wrong!!

Karen

[tucson]

Something must be wrong,I had a house a little smaller and my largest bill was 130.00 in the middle of the summer.I would get an energy audit from SECO.

[schotzyb]

Originally Posted by tucson

Something must be wrong,I had a house a little smaller and my largest bill was 130.00 in the middle of the summer.I would get an energy audit from SECO.

Excellent suggestion!! My bills were in the $200+ range during the summer months so we had Seco do an inspection and the tech found several leaks on the duct work. Only problem is it is cool enough now that we aren't using the air so we wll have to wait till next summer to see if the leaks were the cause of the high bills.

[mac9]

Is your house all electric or do you get a gas bill too? I have a 2000 sq. ft. house with gas heat, cooking, hot water heater and dryer, and the highest summer bill that I have received is $165. My last bill was $89. Typical mid-winter bill is in the $50's. Gas bill is usually $25-$29. We keep the air conditioner set at 76 in the summer, and the heat at 72 when needed.

[Karen83]

Thanks for the replies. I will call them first thing Monday morning.

Karen

[dgammon6]

We have 2000 sq. feet and total electric. Summer months were just over $200. October bill was $104.

[captain1202]

These items are also energy hogs:

• Electric hot water set higher than necessary
• Computer(s) left on all the time
• Plasma & LCD TV's
• Stereo's
• A/C set lower than necessary (74deg s/b OK for most folks)
• Leaks in ducts (as mentioned)
• Not enough insulation

One thing not often thought of here are multi paned, low-e windows which will keep a LOT of heat out and cool air in.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by captain1202

These items are also energy hogs:

• Electric hot water set higher than necessary
• Computer(s) left on all the time
• Plasma & LCD TV's
• Stereo's
• A/C set lower than necessary (74deg s/b OK for most folks)
• Leaks in ducts (as mentioned)
• Not enough insulation

I beg to differ. A typical LCD TV uses about 175 watts, so does a Stereo and a computer on idle uses only 10 watts. The biggies are Electric Ovens, Frost Free Refrigerators, Dish Washers, Clothes Dryers, A/C units not properly maintained and any appliance that generates heat (toasters, electric fry pans, microwave ovens, etc.).

Skip

[jflynn1]

That sounds about right,especially if the house is all electric. Florida is one of the
most expensive states for electricity. The cooperative that provides the villages electricity is still using Coal as their fuel source. They have filed for a 40% rate
increase because it costs more to transport the coal to the electrical plant.

[jflynn1]

That sounds about right,especially if the house is all electric. Florida is one of the most expensive states for electricity. The cooperative that provides the villages electricity is still using Coal as their fuel source. They have filed for a 40% rate increase because it costs more to transport the coal to the electrical plant.

[Russ_Boston]

Florida is almost exactly on the national average of $10.68 per KWH. That is almost half of my state and most of the northeast states where many of the TV residents came from.

http://www.neo.ne.gov/statshtml/115.htm

[Russ_Boston]

Good point about LCD's Skip. On average they consume about 1/3 the amount as a same size plasma. But both types have come way down in usage over the past 2 years.

[Shirleevee]

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

Florida is almost exactly on the national average of $10.68 per KWH. That is almost half of my state and most of the northeast states where many of the TV residents came from.

http://www.neo.ne.gov/statshtml/115.htm

Our home is TV is much larger than our home in NY. We pay more than double (based on 7 months usage), in NY.

[gowens1]

Do you want to trade bills ? Our home in Deltona is 2000sq ft, built in 76, the electric bill for last month was $250. But I work at home, so the computers are on 24/7 and the pool pump is not the most effecent. Now that the Florida fall is here, I can dial back the pool pump, and leave the doors open during the day, and it should fall to the $150 range.
gary

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by gowens1

Do you want to trade bills ? gary

If you're offering it to me - Heck I'll trade! My LOWEST bill all year would be north of $200 (2500 sq. ft. house in MA). Summer is north of $400 with central AC set to 74.

I heat, cook, dryer and hot water with gas also.