[mojavedxer]

Originally Posted by MediocreButArrogant

I haven't been over there to look for it myself. But I believe he is stating the facts. It's a huge, custom built home, and the original owner/builder (he was his own contractor) committed suicide after running out of money to finish it, so it's been a process of discovery to find out what exactly the house is equipped with. Other tradesmen have been out to trace all the pluming, electrical, etc. No joke, it could be something like an in-floor electric heating system in a hidden underground room we haven't found yet.

Sorry, My apoligies. That info does shed some light on the situation. I was thinking of the standard tract home when I made the comment.

[bledsoe3]

This isn't a cheap piece of equipment, but you can walk across the room with your shoes on and it will show your footsteps.
Fluke TiR Infrared Camera

[ChrisKLAS]

Was anywhere from $600-700/month last summer in a 2-story, 3900sqft with the downstairs thermostat on 78 constantly and the upstairs thermostat averaging 80 during the day and 74-75 at night. That was with a single-speed pool pump running about 8hrs/day as well.

Moved into a larger (though more well insulated and UV protected) house recently and can't wait to see what we're running this summer!

[bledsoe3]

My electric bill has been between 15 & 23 dollars.

























Of course I don't live there full time.

[gvc8]

with the cooler than normal spring, but warm enough not to run furnace heat, electric bills the last couple of months should be the lowest of the entire last 12 month period. nowhere to go but UP,UP,UP from here on out.

[WannaliveinGreenville]

Here is what you want to look at :

Cooking : Electric stove/ oven -the highest
Gas oven- second highest
Lowest methods Microwave and Toaster Oven .

Cooling : Central Air the highest
Room coolers the next lowest
Evaporative Cooling - Cheapest $ 20 to $ 40 month
Ceiling Fans ( the Best ! )

Heating : Electric Central Heat ( VERY expensive )
Gas Heat - next best
Blankets and No heat ( the best I do it )

The things like computer , clocks , smaller TVs, new Computer Monitors , are less significant .

Three MAIN areas : Cooling , Heating , Lights

If you run lights in rooms you are NOT in...then you are wasting energy.
Use the Micro ! ( for small heat ups )
Use a toaster oven ( why turn on a big electric oven for some small meal ?

[olecapt]

There is a vast difference between a heat pump and direct electric. 2.5X if I remember. I heat for half the cooling bills.

We run a base of around $225-250. We go to $600 in the summer peak and $450 in the winter peak.

3000 SF 1984 home. The ACs are antiques we have been trying to talk into failing without success. House is cellulose insulated though I think I may do an IR scan and perhaps rework the attic.

[jhiker1o]

I have a 2bed/2bath 960 sq ft condo and for the past few months my electric bill was around 60.00 dollars. I have an electric stove which hardly gets used and old appliances. My friend just purchased a new water heater with a timer for 700 dollars so hopefully it will be energy efficient and help with our power bill. Both my sisters who own homes pay between 200 to a maximum of 500/month on electric bills during the warm summer months.

[Jukesgrrl]

Aggrofish, Is it possible that someone is hijacking your electricity to fuel grow lights?

Or maybe that secret, underground room is due for harvesting and when you find it, the electric bill will be "no problemo."

[aggrofish]

No grow room unless someone converted the septic...never been down there. Have house guests so all three A/Cs are cranking I know I'll be paying for it next bill. With what everyone else says they're paying I know I'm getting the shaft. Because at most, when I do use the AC it's usually in the master only (1 of 3).

Appreciate the replies.