Just moved to a new house - - - electric bill was "shocking"!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How much was yours??????????? (Burke: coop, townhome)

[VEIK]

I just pulled up my 2008 bills
my bill this time around last year was $207.

[nixau27]

I know exactly how you feel getting these sticker shock utility bills! We moved from TX last July in a less than 2000 sq.ft , 3 yr old house (unfinished basement-I don't know if that makes a difference as well). In Oct. , my gas bill jumped from $52 to $146 and then $287 and last month was $274 (we turned down the thermostat to 69). My electric was $174 and $128 (I think they bill every 2 mos). I bought a space heater and takes less time in the shower (I don't know if that makes a difference)! I called the gas company and they said it still might go up since winter lasts till April. I don't know where else to cut since I don't really want to lower the thermostat any longer for fear I will more than likely get sick due to the cold! Goodluck!

[tankdude]

Originally Posted by sssb2000

exactly right! cold air was coming out of the vents. I'm pissed that i had the issue and now my bill is 600 but glad that it's resolved and hope that the price will go way down next month. we'll see :-) now i gotta find a way to have Dom power give me a break....somehow....

any ideas?

Since this is a new home, I would call the builder to complain.

Or, call the builder's HVAC company to complain.

They may not be able to give you cash, but they can extend your warranty.

When I had my new home built, the HVAC company "accidentally" installed an old unit that was used for a previous model home.

I knew that the unit was not new, as it looked beat up, so I called and complained and the HVAC company confirmed my suspicions.

So as not to have the builder liable or involved for their mistake, and for goodwill purposes, they extended my warranty from 1 year to 5 years, all parts and labor.

[tankdude]

Originally Posted by VEIK

Another amazing source of energy waste - water heaters.
Sitting there all day, keeping the temperature at whatever temp they are set to.

When my old one dies, I am getting an on demand unit.

On demand units don't work so well with large homes though, and require new piping and venting designs. It may take many many years to recoup your investment.

[tankdude]

Originally Posted by VEIK

I could care less if people think I am cheeapo, I am the one who writes that check every month to Dominion.

I knew a guy who installed an on/off switch on his water heater. He would go to work and turn it off, and on upon return. I guess that saved some $.

I still think that electrical heat is still the safer way to go.

There's already an "on-off" switch at the breaker box. Usually, it has a dedicated breaker switch.

[tankdude]

Originally Posted by VEIK

I just pulled up my 2008 bills
my bill this time around last year was $207.

I don't think it was as cold last season though. Just these past two weeks, we've had temperatures in the single digits to teens.

[sssb2000]

Originally Posted by tankdude

Since this is a new home, I would call the builder to complain.

Or, call the builder's HVAC company to complain.

They may not be able to give you cash, but they can extend your warranty.

When I had my new home built, the HVAC company "accidentally" installed an old unit that was used for a previous model home.

I knew that the unit was not new, as it looked beat up, so I called and complained and the HVAC company confirmed my suspicions.

So as not to have the builder liable or involved for their mistake, and for goodwill purposes, they extended my warranty from 1 year to 5 years, all parts and labor.

True but it's not a 'brand new house'. i meant that we had moved to a new place as in 'our new place'.

[VEIK]

Originally Posted by tankdude

On demand units don't work so well with large homes though, and require new piping and venting designs. It may take many many years to recoup your investment.

venting is required for electrical models?

I dont have gas.

[HEATHER72]

24 year old house could explain it.

[sssb2000]

Originally Posted by VEIK

venting is required for electrical models?

I dont have gas.

Veik,
we're ALL glad 'you don't have gas'!
lol