[Tom Hannon]

We received an electric bill of $58 for last month. The house was unoccupied during the billing period. The A/C was set at 80. Next time, I'll set it at 82? Also my friends who have been stopping over to check on the house also ran the dishwasher once. I guess electric is needed for the sprinkler system and of course the fans are running. We have no gas.in the house. I turned off the hot water heater. Is this bill reasonable? There are no appliances to unplug at this time.

[CaliforniaGirl]

Tom, last month was very, very hot...mid-90's most days, so your air would have been cycling off and on fairly regularly. Sounds to me like you got off cheap.

[TommyT]

Tom, don't feel bad, mine was $92.00 and we were there for one week after closing. The entire time we were there the thermostat was never under 77 degrees and our house we very comfortable.

When we left, we turned the A/C to 82, turned off the hot water heater, left the ceiling fans running on high, the sprinkler system, the refer and of course the yard lamp. Nothing else. I thought this was very high.

I'm looking into options

[Tom Hannon]

When I was in my house the month before for one week, my bill was a shade over $100. But the $58 was basically with no activity for 30 days. I can try upping the temp to 82 but I can't see what else can be done to cut costs. Yes, California Girl mentioned how hot it was last month and I'm sure it had something to do with the A/C running more.

[chuckinca]

Never heard of leaving the ceiling fans on - - -

Rationale please.

Thanks


.

[Tom Hannon]

Ceiling fans forces the cold air down which lowers the A/C bill. I run the A/C all the time. The only fan I turn off is the one in the lanai. If I am wrong with this assumption that fans LOWER the A/C bill please let me know.

[golfnut]

u can probably reduce your elec bill by installing a humidistat, that's what I have. my electric bill during the summer when we are not there is $25, your results may vary. i leave my ceiling fan on in the living while we are gone for the summer just to keep the air circulating, my rationale is circulating air is better than stagnant air....gn

[Tom Hannon]

Yes GN- I was going to install a humidistat when I'm down there in November. Good idea about the fans in the other rooms. They may not be needed. Something to think about

[redwitch]

The fans really don't need to be run. They're better to keep on when the house is occupied because doors are opened and closed more, but when empty all they do is waste electricity. Just keep the thermostat on 82. Tell your friend to do the dishwasher on rinse only -- don't need to do a full wash. If you have a fridge in the house, turn it down to "2" or up to 40 for the freezer. Otherwise, $58 really isn't that unreasonable for last month.

[chuckinca]

Hot air rises not cold. The fans will mix the warmer and cooler air but I don't see the advantage.

The A/C will circulate the air.

I don't think ceiling fans will hurt anything but seems unnecessary and will add bucks to the electric bill and wear out the fans.

.

[Tom Hannon]

Ooops! Although I did turn off the ice maker on fridge... I should have lowered the temp in the fridge and freezer. I think I will shut down the fans but as GN says- I'll leave the living room on.

[golfnut]

What does opening and closing doors have to do with running a fan. Why would you run the refrigerator when you are not there....gn

[chuckinca]

Refrigerators get stinky when left off.

And to keep the beer cold.

.

[Tom Hannon]

Chuck has made a strong and convincing argument. I believed otherwise. He might be 100% correct. What do I know. I have no experience in this issue. Help me people. Does Chuckie's suggestion hold water.

[golfnut]

you have to prop the doors open on the refrigerator, i use towels draped over the top to hold the doors open, if you do that why would it smell any different than the rest of the kitchen....gn