[alexander59]

I have to stay in Florida because my Mothers doctor told me 10 years ago that if she moved or I moved she would die. My daughters will not leave without me, nor will we leave without my Mom. The problem I am having is how to afford living here without having to go without air conditioning and house insurance. Going to pick up a loaf of bread for my mom and bringing it to her now adds about 1.50 to the cost of a loaf of bread because of gas prices, which will go way back up after the elections. We are not sure where we are going yet but we will not look back.

[GOODTOGO]

Yes, us Floridians are at our breaking point in regards to the heat...we are ready for some fall like weather...and what about those LOVEBUGS that have bombarded us this week. It was never this bad in Orlando last year. Moving from South Florida a year ago to Orlando, our insurances have dropped substantially. Anyway, looking to move north someday if we can unload this house...We have a 1 year old home w/2500 sq ft and our electric bill last month was $129.00, haven't got this month's bill however, we have it set around 81 during the day and 79 at night...use our fans alot which is a big help...

[rcnkat]

yes I know....my electric bill is 400.00 a month and that is with the
air on 78 degrees...sometimes 77 if my husband touches it...usually
78.....and my property taxes are 4200 a year.... getting
hard to afford... trust me--- I know!!!

[alexander59]

This is for goodtogo, Do you have an energy effecient home? My electric bills into the 300.00s, I am wondering if it would make that much difference to upgrade my airconditioner. I have about 1600 sqft and I know a new airconditioner would help but I didn't know this much.

[GOODTOGO]

ALEXANDER:
I don't know how old your unit is but this being a new home probably has helped alot in relation to our Progress Energy bills. The unit is "Rheem" and thermostat is a "White Rodgers" and next to this thermostat is a humidifier. Noticed that the builder had the a/c programmed for 8 am to flip to 84 degrees then at 5 pm it drops to 78 automatically; suppose they did that for when you leave for work all day, of course, it can be manually adjusted to what you like. Also, the fans play a big roll, don't leave them on unless we are in that particular room, they say that saves also. Alot of folks leave their units on at 77 or 78 and that makes the FPL's/PROGRESS echlon's richer. I want it in my pocket not theirs....but also want to be comfortable...we don't have a pool either so that saves....Hope this helps...

[MrTudo]

I've got the a/c on and it's nice and cool.

Far as wood burning stoves and the like, it's pretty bad on the lungs . That ash you see on everything in the house is also in your lungs.

[Racelady88]

Originally Posted by MrTudo

Far as wood burning stoves and the like, it's pretty bad on the lungs . That ash you see on everything in the house is also in your lungs.

There is no ash in my house, except in the bottom of the stove.

[MrTudo]

Originally Posted by Evey

There is no ash in my house, except in the bottom of the stove.

Question. Why are you posting here in the Florida thread? It's sooooooo wonderful in S Carolina, one would think that you would be busy enjoying it.

Frankly, you couldn't pay me enough to live in S Carolina

[Racelady88]

I bolted from FL less than a year ago. I will offer insight into the area that I moved FROM. I found the original post interesting.

I have been enjoying not having my A/C on for more than a week.

[bamboosmom]

In the winter up north the heating bills will be outrageous. I think there is good and bad everywhere. Our elec. bill is $300.00 but I have an electric stove, dryer, etc.