[Aloha]

Duke Energy should be investigated due to an extremely large number of consumer complaints. Many are reporting a 40% cost increase with no changes in the homesite. So many do not trust Duke Energy and with good reasons.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Cliff Fr

Sounds like you may have an older less efficient air conditioner. Newer units are 45 to 90% more efficient. You might consider putting in a mini split unit in your bedroom for sleeping. That way you don't have to lower the thermostat at night just to cool the bedroom down. We did that and despite running the additional unit at night, it lowered our ekectric bill.

Or if your system is 10-15 years old, consider replacing it with a high efficiency variable speed inverter system that qualifies for a tax credit that will go away after this year. Installing a mini split is just another system to maintain yearly.

[Malsua]

I sold my CYV that used Duke at the end of last year. That said, the electric bill ran $165-180 during the summer and typically right around $100 most of the rest of the year.

It had a 2007, 3 ton Trane HVAC system.

We currently live in a different CYV and this one needed more attic insulation as the bill on Seco was upwards of $250-$275 or so during the summer months.

Adding insulation and getting a Heat Pump water heater brought the bill down in July to under $200. This is Seco though, your mileage may vary on Duke, but since you did your windows, it's possible you need a refresh on your insulation up top. We used the Solar guys and it wasn't really that expensive to add 8 inches of blown in insulation.

[Frank495]

When is the last time you changed your filter and cleaned your evaporator coils?

[Beyonce]

1188 patio villa
Thermostat set at 78 during day 75 at night.
$84.63 electric bill
$ 26.16 gas bill

[Toymeister]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

You main unit is probably only two tons. And if the mini-split is a one-ton unit, it is probably using half as much electricity as the main unit, assuming you use it a lot.

That is incorrect. A 19 yo hvac is 11 seer a new one is 15. A new mini split is 22 seer. SEER is seasonal energy effficency rating.

In fact if you are only concerned about efficency you would use mini splits to cool your home.

[CarlR33]

Originally Posted by Aloha

Duke Energy should be investigated due to an extremely large number of consumer complaints. Many are reporting a 40% cost increase with no changes in the homesite. So many do not trust Duke Energy and with good reasons.

Do you have Duke? So your saying that my KWh usage chart (for the year) that is on page one of my bill (in color) is false? BTW, for the poster if you look on that chart on page one it should show an increase so it’s most likely associated with your home.

[collie1228]

The Duke bill for our approx. 1175 sq ft courtyard villa in July was $169.00. We were in NY for the summer, and the thermostat was set at 80 for the entire month. All of our doors are updated and energy efficient, and the windows in our lanai are fairly new. It does seem a little high to me with the temp set at 80.