I put a water heater blanket insulation on my water heater and it cut the water heater energy consumption in half.

Duke is crazy high. When buying a home, it is an important consideration as to who your provider is. We have SECO.

That is higher than my 2375 sf home. How old is your AC unit and have you checked the attic insulation???

I just talked to agent at Duke. I normally use 30 kWh but jumped to 47. They can not help. Said their job is to provide electricity not figure out where us usage is going.

Is there someone to call for an energy audit?

SECO great
 

Patio villa, 2007
Nothing energy wise added to house.
New HVAC 2021

Snow bird, AC set for 80, 3 ceiling fans
Monthly summer bill ~$75
June KWh 239; July kWh 269
Highest was $88 for 363 kWh this August. Last year, August was the most as well, 352 kWh.

SECO rocks!

#1 - Don't rush in to some "simple" fix like duct cleaning. Do your due diligence because when you start saying you have an issue, scams are like moths to a flame.

#2 - Look at all your 'always on' items and note their kwh usage times cost per kwh.
- hvac (inside and out unit)
- constant refrigerator motor/compressor
- hot water heater
- fans (motors)

#3 - AC
- if your are asking for 78, are you actually getting it? Have at least one indoor thermo to monitor the actual thermostat.
- loose connection from plenum in attic (very common)

#4 - COMPARE
- get a copy of a neighbor's bill
- compare Duke bill to SECO bill - every single cost

#5 - Don't rush in
- don't buy something new that will lower the usage until you run the actual numbers. A new $1200 refrigerator may save you money each month on electricity, but over the real life of the fridge, did you actually save money in the long run?

A new AC unit will save big money for awhile, but after 8 years of use it will no longer be a money saver. It will fall back into the area the last one was in and need to be replaced to keep your monthly costs down. And the cycle continues. Did you get the 10k back during those first 8 years?

I posted the link above. Duke does it for free

Also, have you been maintaining your HVAC system, and I mean more than changing the filter?

I have called Chuck Farrell. He checks system twice a year. Is there a way to check how much energy the hot water use?. It is very old. The lady said that Duke does not check out systems. As I said before, the lady said Duke supplies the power. How it is used is my problem . I asked about an energy audit. I will check further if you just had one.

Thanks to everyone. I appreciate each and every reply.

UP DATE I just called Duke again after someone said that they had just had an energy check. I have an appt Oct. 8 for a complete check of everything.

Thanks again! I am now feeling that a solution to my problem will be found.

I live in a CYV and replaced my water heater with a heat pump water heater. The initial cost was high but it's dropped my electric bill around $20/month. The payoff should be around 4 years then it's essentially free.

I have a 1100 sq CYV south of Spanish Springs built in 1995, but has upgraded attic insulation to greater than R-60 and new double insulated windows...also have an attached lani that is 260 sq feet and we use a mini split. We keep our temp 77 daytime and 71 to sleep overnight. July Duke bill $229 and August Duke bill $212. Prior to those hot months. June was $170 and prior to that the average was about $130.

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.

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.

Duke added a hurricane recovery charge that went into effect this spring. It is going on through February 2026. I know my bill went up unexpectedly about $50 and found out about this fee.

That’s what my SECO bill runs this time of year for a 2900 sf. house near Palmer with no pool. My thermostat is set at 75° day and night.