OK since I am already pissed about the mortgage payment

[Breezy]

who wants to tell me what their power bill averages a month
Ours is about 400 in the summer time and 250 in the winter for what a whole freaking month.
ours last month was 450 I about died. and that is setting the air at 80 until bedtime.
and so this month I have been cutting it off until about 730-8 and it only dropped to 420 that wasn't worth it.
So tell me what your electric bill is :D

[jeffreyluce]

~300 for 2000 sqft, and our house isn't as sealed as it could be... that's w/ a wife and 3 kids at 76 all day too... :) unless I'm cooking... and cannot stand it, I'll put it on hold 74. I have friends w/ 600+ electric bills in the summer, but they have 4000+ sqft to cool.

I must also say... that I don't run much... ie... turn off computers, and turn off TVs (via power strip) around the house.

[JohnT]

My average billing with Reliant is $159/mo for 1500 sf. The thermostat is set on 72 pretty much year round. However, it's a three-year-old, energy-saving, heat pump unit that has no problem cooling or heating.

[Breezy]

Ok our house is 2 years old, and just under 1900 sq ft and at night the temp is set at 76 and 80 during the day. I have NEVER seen a power bill that high. In Va we had a 50 year old house. and ours was mas 210 that was the highest it ever got in the middle of a snow storm with baseboard radiator heators.

[Breezy]

JohnT can you tell me what your KWH is with reliant

[JamesB]

1945 sqft house built in the 60's we hit the $500 mark maybe 2 times in the summer, but mostly over 300 and 400 down in the 200 range in the winter

my wife has to have the thermostat set on 69 degrees. she is a teacher so our summer bills are higher since she is home more.

I hate my electric bill

James

[janetg]

mmm i'm the odd man out here...600 for 4100 sq ft, kept at 76 - CAUSE I HAVE HOT FLASHES and i really don't give a flying flip what the bill is, as long as i am cool.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by Breezy

JohnT can you tell me what your KWH is with reliant

Let me find a bill and get back to you.

[Breezy]

Thanks John
Not sure if it would be worth transfering for 9 months but I gotta do something ya know

[pziasd]

How old is your house? Have you had it checked to make sure that your not cooling the whole neighborhood?

Take a candle and place it on a window sill in one of your rooms with the A/C off and see if the flame moves...if the window is sealed the flame shouldn't move...if you have an improperly sealed window air from the outside is leaking to the inside...when your A/C is on your cool air is leaking to the outside.

It could be the entire window itself or just the edges. This is not the most scientific of test but it will let you know if you do have a problem. The same goes for all exterior doors.

The problem can also be traced to our Texas Legislature who deregulated the power industry a few years ago...now we pay a higher Kwh rate than we used to....Thanks Austin!

[janetg]

another thing you might consider - last year we had a RECORD bill - and i got the system checked....6 lbs low on freon -

[picman]

2100 sq ft and I was hot (sorry, pun intended) about last months $260. We were paying 12.5 cents per kw with one co. and I just switched again to get 10.8.
www.powertochoose.org
Go for the numbers, just stay away from long contracts and deposits.

Is you home all electric? I've never had a bill over $100 in the winter.

Is your A/C working correctly? Have it checked, incorrect refrigerant levels can cost $$$.

Is all your duct work tight? I had a friend in a newer house who had one big attic duct not attached to anything, it just heating and cooling the attic.

Attic vented?
Got power vents? Is so, get rid of them and get ridge vents. Power vents are energy hogs.
Think about a radiant barrier in the attic.

[wmanning]

I will have to agree with Picman, I Installed ridge vents and Polar-Ply Radiant Barrier in my home last summer and have reduced my kWh by as much as half. Besides saving money, my home "feels" much more comfortable than before. If you have any specific questions about Polar-Ply, send me a PM (I sell and install it for a living) and I will get you any information you may need. I am not sure if I am breaking any rules on TPF by saying this, if so, please let me know.
William

[David_3]

I think I paid about $280 for 3200 sq ft (with tall ceilings...10-14 ft) in the month of August. I'm with TXU. Winter time is less, as I have gas heat.

[AndrewCCM]

I am about to have the AC people out to my house.

First time I hit $400 was this month (Reliant). 3400 sqft.

Most of my neighbors pay $450-$650.. CRAZY CRAZY.

We actually have one of the lower payments in the hood. Not exactly sure why other than placement to the west sun. I planted several trees on that side of the house (only 3 windows upstairs facing west. Everything else is brick. By the time the trees get big enough, I'll probably be gone. :(

We keep the house around 76 in the summer and 72-74 in winter.

I have been working from home most of the time this year which has contributed.. I turn it down vs. my cold natured wife that kept it at 78 or so and mainly downstairs. I spend most of my time upstairs.. I am saving a lot in gas for my car, so I guess it offsets it somewhat.

I just leased my mineral rights to a company for the next 3 years. Hopefully, that'll help a little.

TXU pisses me off though. I remember getting $18 gas bills back when Lone Star did the gas... As soon as TXU took over, the prices doubled and almost tripled within a few months. It's a racket... Just like insurance.. They raise your rates when they have a bad year, but when they have a good one they never lower it...so it just compounds over time. I better not get started..