Need info on shopping

[john t]

Hi tnnewby,

Where are you living that you only pay $80 in electric?

[JMT]

Originally Posted by john t

Hi tnnewby,

Where are you living that you only pay $80 in electric?

I have friends here in Knoxville whose electric bill rarely gets more than $40/month for their 1400 square foot townhouse, and they keep it ice cold in the summers. I guess it just depends on how well insulated a place is.

[knoxgarden]

I've got a 1200 sq. ft. condo. My electric bills average $50.
I do have a lot of single pane glass -- sliding door and wall of windows. If I replaced those with double-pane it would save $10-15 a month.
I did replace a 25-year-old HVAC with a new heat pump two years ago and replaced 25-year-old appliances with new ones. Those two changes cut my bill in half. I still need to replace the old water heater.
Other than that, I don't try to save electricity. I keep the temperature comfortable. Right now it's a bit too cold for one of the cats. He's under the comforter.

[hiknapster]

I live in a tin box with lots of drafts and I average between $80 and $180.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by knoxgarden

I've got a 1200 sq. ft. condo. My electric bills average $50.
I do have a lot of single pane glass -- sliding door and wall of windows. If I replaced those with double-pane it would save $10-15 a month.
I did replace a 25-year-old HVAC with a new heat pump two years ago and replaced 25-year-old appliances with new ones. Those two changes cut my bill in half. I still need to replace the old water heater.
Other than that, I don't try to save electricity. I keep the temperature comfortable. Right now it's a bit too cold for one of the cats. He's under the comforter.

I love it! My cat used to hang out under the comforter in my bed, too, and maybe that's why; I kept the house too darned cold for him.

And hiknapster, your electric bill is about what mine is, too, for my drafty little house. In the spring and fall when my windows are open most of the time, my KUB bill runs about $40-50/month. In the middle of winter with the gas heat it's about $170/month. In the middle of summer with my ice cold a/c (I could probably keep dairy products in my bedroom) it's about $150/month.

[Beretta]

I live in a 4550 sq foot house. Our highest winter bills were $200 electric and $200 gas (2 heat pumps and 2 water heaters, no cooking appliances). Our highest electric in the summer was $320. And I like it cool when I want it cool and warm when I want it warm

We do have programmable thermostats and have the heat or air lower or raise when we are at work, sleeping, etc.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by JMT

In the spring and fall when my windows are open most of the time, my KUB bill runs about $40-50/month.

Alas, if I had some screens in my windows, I'm sure my electric bill would get down that low, too.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Alas, if I had some screens in my windows, I'm sure my electric bill would get down that low, too.

Oh you definitely need some screens! Can you get your landlord to install a few? They make all the difference in the world!

[hiknapster]

After asking constantly the first year, I gave up.

When I get my own house, I'll have screens.