2 stories electric bill (Chandler, Gilbert: work, house, kitchen)

[nolagirl]

How much more is your electric bill to have a second story?

[mortimer]

Everybody says that having a second story is more expensive,
but I think that is just an old wives tale. Having the second
story means that you will have some air flow issues, but it
doesn't necessarily mean the total cost is more.

Having a second story means that you have less roof for the
sun to beat down on per square foot. More important factors
are simply total square footage, insulation (including windows).

we lived in a 2,650 sq home in Chandler, (SRP) and never spent
more than $170 for a/c and were always comfortable while the
guy across the street in the same model of house said he
usually paid $300-400 per month.

[LVGAZ]

We have a 2 story in Gilbert for over 12 years and our average electric bill annually is 120.00 - in the winter we are at about 86.00 and in the summer we run about 140 at the highest - depending upon the heat outside
the key in any home is to keep the shades drawn in the hot weather during the day - we keep our thermostat at 82 in the summer and fans going (and believe me we do NOT like the heat) - and in the winter the bedrooms are warm because heat rises and we have lots of sunlight coming into the home.
We know people that have outrageous bills for 1 or 2 story and they have their air on 60-70 in the summer. Refrigerators...
Be smart, conserve, and your bills will be very reasonable..
2 stories are great - especially if you have children -

[HX_Guy]

I was going to ask...how in the world do you people pay under $200 a month in the summer, but 82 degrees? I guess thats the answer.

It all comes down to what you are comfortable with, but anything over 77 is hot to me. We keep the AC at 74 during the day and 75 at night, although the house doesnt get that cool at the ends because it has east west expsoure, so while the middle of the house is cool, the front office and master bedroom in the rear are more like 76-77.

As for the original question, my parents used to have a 2 story (1600 sq ft) and they would keep the AC at 80 and the summer bills would get to around $200 per month.

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by HX_Guy

I was going to ask...how in the world do you people pay under $200 a month in the summer, but 82 degrees? I guess thats the answer.

It all comes down to what you are comfortable with, but anything over 77 is hot to me. We keep the AC at 74 during the day and 75 at night, although the house doesnt get that cool at the ends because it has east west expsoure, so while the middle of the house is cool, the front office and master bedroom in the rear are more like 76-77.

As for the original question, my parents used to have a 2 story (1600 sq ft) and they would keep the AC at 80 and the summer bills would get to around $200 per month.

I am so right with you on this one! We keep our AC at 76-77 (with fans on) while at home and 75 at night. One thing with you though is that you at home, right? That would really add to your costs. We paid $130 last month and know it will get to around $200 by Aug-Sept. We are also east-west, so I know what you mean by parts of the house being hotter than others. I don't like to be uncomfortable at all during the summer.

[LVGAZ]

OUr home faces east - and the front is the kitchen, garage area and the bonus/game room over the garage
we have very high ceilings and an open loft feeling to our home, only one hallway upstairs to the 3 bdrms -
we are in Gilbert - not sure if that means anything on the electric bill with SRP
we are 1750 sq feet - so i think if the home is tight and many rooms then probably there would be higher bills to keep all rooms cool - with more of an open feel I think the air circulates with the fans maybe more evenly.

[Magnum Mike]

My house is only one story and the highest electrical bill I paid last year was around $130. With the increased energy costs, I have a feeling it'll be a little higher in July and August.

I keep my thermostat at 82 degrees most of the time. The north and the west sides of the house don't get too much exposure to the afternoon sun because of a 3-story building about 300 feet away to the northwest, so the house stays cool in the afternoon.

[HX_Guy]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

I am so right with you on this one! We keep our AC at 76-77 (with fans on) while at home and 75 at night. One thing with you though is that you at home, right? That would really add to your costs.

Oh yea! I work from home so I'm here all day, therefore it has to be comfortable all day.

Our bill was $260 last month and our highest last summer was $350 (1 story 1884 sq ft).
I've heard of worse though...my girlfriend's sister has a house across in Terramar, 2 story and over 4000 sq ft and they had a $500 bill last summer!

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by HX_Guy

Oh yea! I work from home so I'm here all day, therefore it has to be comfortable all day.

Our bill was $260 last month and our highest last summer was $350 (1 story 1884 sq ft).
I've heard of worse though...my girlfriend's sister has a house across in Terramar, 2 story and over 4000 sq ft and they had a $500 bill last summer!

Wow, you do pay a lot, but it's worth it in my opinion to survive the summer.

[HX_Guy]

Completely agree! I would rather pay $100 more for three months out of the year and be comfortable then be miserable the whole time. Heat gets be very irritated, it's a weird thing, one degree makes the biggest difference.

I'm not saying that people who keep the AC at 80 or 82 are cheap, because to them maybe that is comfortable, but I do know some people keep it higher to save money and then they hate the whole summer here.