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Old 09-15-2013, 10:52 AM
 
Location: Austin, TX
293 posts, read 730,198 times
Reputation: 424

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Being frugal and living in a shoe box does have its benefits. Something funky happened on this month's bill, no way it should be that low.


Last edited by spelrod; 09-15-2013 at 11:39 AM..
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Old 09-15-2013, 10:55 AM
 
Location: The People's Republic of Austin
5,184 posts, read 7,274,900 times
Reputation: 2575
According to the PUC, Austin Energy's rates are up 17% for 500 kwh and 12.5% for 1000 kwh for August 2013 compared to August 2012.
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Old 09-15-2013, 11:28 AM
 
Location: Austin, TX
16,787 posts, read 49,043,113 times
Reputation: 9478
Quote:
Originally Posted by centralaustinite View Post
2400 sq feet, 3 star green build, walls are six inches deep and fully insulated, low-E windows.

75 during the day, 74 at night.

August bill for electricity (just the electrical portion) was $165.
2400 sf house built in 1989, 4" insulated walls, R-38 added in attic, attic ventilation doubled, New HVAC 7/2007 SEER 16, double pane insulated glass windows, solar screens, shade trees at most east and west exposures. 76 daytime, 71 night,

August bill for electricity (just the electrical portion) was $179.
With W&WW added my bill was well over $300.
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Old 09-15-2013, 11:29 AM
 
361 posts, read 1,163,351 times
Reputation: 218
City's goal is to use more alternative energy. It's a nice goal, but it will cost more. Hurts the middle class most bc the upper class can pay, and lower class are partially subsidized.
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Old 09-15-2013, 11:35 AM
 
Location: Austin, TX
16,787 posts, read 49,043,113 times
Reputation: 9478
Quote:
Originally Posted by cBach View Post
What else can I do to minimize this cost?
How old is your house?

The most effective improvement you can make is to maximize your attic insulation. I increased mine to R-38 a couple of years ago, burying all the ducts in the attic. Add solar screens on any windows that get direct sunlight especially on the West side. I doubled the amount of attic ventilation my house had, to help get rid of the heat build up in the attic. Weather strip and seal all leaky doors and windows. Have your ducts checked for leaks.

Other tips here http://www.city-data.com/blogs/blog3...ac-system.html
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Old 09-15-2013, 12:29 PM
 
Location: The People's Republic of Austin
5,184 posts, read 7,274,900 times
Reputation: 2575
Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenPlastic View Post
City's goal is to use more alternative energy.
Because that has turned out to be such a raging success.. Feelgood-ism comes with a price tag.
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Old 09-15-2013, 01:08 PM
 
Location: Rattan Creek - 78729
110 posts, read 241,578 times
Reputation: 47
This may seem kind of obvious, but do you have a programmable thermostat? We keep our house at 76 at night, let it go up to 82 during the day when we're not home, then have it cool back to 76 at 6:00pm when we get home.

1350 sq. ft. house, energy efficient windows, 3-year old Rheem energy efficient A/C.... our last bill was about $100. In the winter it's about $35.
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Old 09-15-2013, 01:10 PM
 
361 posts, read 1,163,351 times
Reputation: 218
Quote:
Originally Posted by scm53 View Post
Because that has turned out to be such a raging success.. Feelgood-ism comes with a price tag.
I agree but when I talk to some people, they don't seem able to put two and two together. Yes, alternative energy is a great idea, but it does have very real costs.
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Old 09-15-2013, 03:59 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX
12,059 posts, read 13,879,270 times
Reputation: 7257
Quote:
Originally Posted by CptnRn View Post
How old is your house?

The most effective improvement you can make is to maximize your attic insulation. I increased mine to R-38 a couple of years ago, burying all the ducts in the attic. Add solar screens on any windows that get direct sunlight especially on the West side. I doubled the amount of attic ventilation my house had, to help get rid of the heat build up in the attic. Weather strip and seal all leaky doors and windows. Have your ducts checked for leaks.

Other tips here http://www.city-data.com/blogs/blog3...ac-system.html
Home built in 1998. Two A/Cs, original units from the house, both are 12 SEER.
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Old 09-15-2013, 04:17 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX
12,059 posts, read 13,879,270 times
Reputation: 7257
Quote:
Originally Posted by CptnRn View Post
2400 sf house built in 1989, 4" insulated walls, R-38 added in attic, attic ventilation doubled, New HVAC 7/2007 SEER 16, double pane insulated glass windows, solar screens, shade trees at most east and west exposures. 76 daytime, 71 night,

August bill for electricity (just the electrical portion) was $179.
With W&WW added my bill was well over $300.
$120 for water? Oh well, I guess I make up for it that way. My water bill is usually only $50 and I water once a week so I guess the low flow toilets and updated plumbing (new PRV and water control valve) did their job.
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