[jebartle]

Had SECO come out and give their free Energy Audit, which I highly recommend...Power bill went up $100 from May to June...Come to find out
our Spa was responsible for almost $80/month (pump was the culprit)...., extra refrig. another
$20/month...Spa was used VERY little, sooo, that will be something we will change...With high temps, auditor suggests that most bills will increase 14%....He also recommends using blinds during summer heat, check doors for cracks, and check attic insulation....Also recommends inside temperature at 80 degrees...Something I didn't know, our attic temperature was 76 degrees, shocked, he said that is correct temp for average attic (think I will move to the attic next summer, ha ha!... Hope this helps

[ohiogolf]

Thank you for this posting. I have seen my bill double this summer from last and SECO is sending someone out for the audit next week. We are snow birds and while all our settings at the CYV are identical to last year, our usage has been double the past two months. Something is wrong. it is good to hear that they do a comprehensive job with solid recommendations.

[Ohiogirl]

I had the energy audit done during our first year, either by TECO or SECO, can't remember (we have gas heat) - I'm thinking it was TECO, and it was free, at least 4 years ago - was almost like having an inspection, at least for energy, and then had The Villages fix the taping around the air handler in the garage, which was faulty (and I hadn't noticed). They said not to let them just put duct tape, but to do it right with the quilted stuff. Was leaking air.

The side of our CYV with the most and biggest windows (double living room window and dining room slider, and a kitchen window and 3rd bedroom window, faces east. We only have 1 west facing window - the small laundry room one, and the master bedroom window gets some southwest sun.

Had tinted film installed in June on all windows except the lanai slider and the laundry room one. I've had tenants for about 2 mos this summer, and typically tenants don't try to conserve, so hard to say. I always keep the blinds closed when the sun is on those windows, but who knows what tenants do.

Anyway, my point is that my electric is up a some this summer over last, but nothing close to double. I think the tinting really helps, and honestly, it doesn't even look tinted from the inside, except for the MBR window, which I like dark (I sleep best in a cave or an inside cabin on a cruise ship

September bill was up about $30, August bill up about $50. This year both August and September were almost identical, just under $175. I had tenants about the same # of days last summer as this. This is for a 3 bedroom CYV, gas dryer, range and water heater. Summer gas bills are under $25

[Hoosierb4]

If your attic was 76 degrees it's likely that you have an air conditioner duct that is exhausting into the attic, unless he was there early in the morning.

[jebartle]

Originally Posted by Hoosierb4

If your attic was 76 degrees it's likely that you have an air conditioner duct that is exhausting into the attic, unless he was there early in the morning.

He was there at 8:30 am, so it was cooler

[jebartle]

Also he had a "temperature gun", that allowed him to see if there were any leaks....He was very thorough....

[rhsgypsylady]

Ok, I've been reading about electric bills being high this year in TV. Since I am a new CYV owner I have questions. My villa is total electric with 2br and a pool. I've been trying to rent it unfurnished for a 6 month lease to someone looking to buy but haven't found a place yet or are waiting on one to be built. So far no luck; if anyone can help, I would be most obliged.

Anyway back to my questions. There is no one living in the Villa, temp set at 80 and only elec running is fridge and pool pump. My bill was $135. To me that is really high. I'm thinking it should be around $75. But then what do I know. Would someone elaborate on this - is this normal, high, do I need an energy audit?????

I am comparing this $135 to what I've paid the last couple months ($160) for a similar size home with no pool but a retired husband who is home all day in TX where we live, which has also been hotter than normal and hotter than FL I might add.

What does the elec run normally in the winter months?

Thanks for your feedback. Like all other newcomers on this board, I too have learned so much and am anxiously waiting until I can move there.

[otherbruddaDarrell]

I would guess that the pool pump is about 1/2h.p. and runs maybe 6 hrs a day. That is one of the reasons I had my in ground jacuzzi removed. You must run the pump even if it is not used and that adds a lot to the electric bill.
It is just part of the price of having a pool.

[EXYZEE40]

I think the most important thing to look at regarding high electric bills the past few months is that it has been much hotter this summer than in past years.

I have a 3 bedroom villa too, but I have plantation shutters and try to keep them closed during the heat of the day. My highest electric bill this summer has been $149.00.

This winter was colder than normal, and this summer has been warmer than normal -- go figure!

[rhsgypsylady]

EXYZEE40,

Is your Villa occupied? Do you have a pool? How many sq ft do you have? Mine is not occupied, is 2 bdr not 3, with a pool and less than 1000 sq ft. so $135 seems high to me.