Electricity bill costs in Phoenix? (Surprise, Buckeye: how much, affordable houses, new construction)

[heatherlauren]

Hi there!

My family is currently considering moving to the Phoenix area (looking at Buckeye and Surprise). We've found some very affordable houses, but we're concerned about how much our electricity bill would cost.

We're looking at houses around 2,500-3,000sq ft, 5 bedrooms.

We currently live in the Inland Empire of California (summers usually get into the high 90's), with running the air conditioning to keep the house around 70 degrees, our electricity bill would usually be around $500+ every month.

Seeing as how Phoenix is so much hotter, this is obviously a concern. However, electricity is cheaper in Arizona compared to California. Plus, we assume that the houses in Phoenix would be built for these high temperatures and have better insulation/construction.

So I'm looking for advice - What is your experience with the electricity bills in Arizona? Specifically, how many square feet is your home, what temperature do you keep your house at, and what is your average electric bill?

Also, if you have any tips on how to keep your house cool without using the air conditioning - it would be much appreciated!

Thank you all!

[Zippyman]

The age of the home will be the biggest factor in cost, followed by your preferences for temperature. Don't assume that Phoenix properties are "built for the heat", on the contrary - you'll find nearly all the housing here was built to minimum code requirements. The "average" U.S. home loses 10-15% of it's conditioned air through leaks in the ductwork & code requirements for energy efficiency weren't that great until very recently. Even modern looking 1980's - 2000 ~ish homes have r19 in the attic, single-pane windows, improperly sized & poorly designed a/c systems. Cranking one of those homes down to a flat 70 degrees would be like burning dollar bills in your fireplace..

If you want that much space, I'd seriously consider only new or nearly-new construction- a poorly constructed home of that size could easily cost $800+ to keep at 80 degrees in the summer.

[DetroitN8V]

My four bedroom house built in the late 90s with a pool topped out around $300. This month's was $240. I keep it at 72 at night. It's all about working the time of use plan to your benefit. There are many, many variables though. If moving to the boonies, it's my understanding that some far out cities have their own costly utilities.

[Minntoaz]

Assuming no pool and that you don't keep it at 70 or below and your home is 2010 or newer it will definitely be no more than $500.

[johnp292]

2800 sq ft house here. 2 story, faces west. Keep the AC at about 76. Two zones. House is occupied all day. Pool. Never had a bill hit $600 in 5 years. Built 15 years ago or so. Peak summer maybe highest bill was. 560 or so. Outside of the summer months it's 200 or less.

Usually keep upstairs zone at 90 during the day, downstairs zone at 85 at night. Bedrooms are all upstairs. APS time of use plan.

I'm trying supercooling this summer to see if it makes a difference. Last months bill was about $80 less than the same month last year with a 1 degree higher average temperature. I'm also running the pool pump less. My wife thinks the supercooling is going to cost a fortune. We'll see.

[LBTRS]

My house was built in 2008 and is 3000 sq ft. I have a pool. I keep my house at 80 during the day (weekdays) and 78 on the weekends. At night I keep it at 76 degrees.

I pay $235/month year round.

[JasonS]

I live in surprise, house is 4000 sqft with a pool. I'm on the 9-9 plan where the price is cheaper at night for electricity. Highest bill usually in high 400's. I'm on the equalizer and pay about 205/month right now. I usually keep ac at 80. Sometimes a little higher if I get cold. But I use ceiling fans and have a fan next to bed.

[jaredC]

Our house was built in around 2000/2001 and is around 1400 sf. We keep a/c around 78/79 and our highest bill was a smidgen over $300 in the summer. That's about the average for summer. I think our lowest was around $290ish. I'm starting to think there's something wrong with our insulation. When you rent, options for insulation are nonexistent.

[gamebird98]

Wow...interesting how much people's bills vary

[Zippyman]

Originally Posted by gamebird98

Wow...interesting how much people's bills vary

There are a confusing number of "rate plans" for electricity here & two major providers - just that can result in wild variations in billing (it is possible to pick the "wrong" plan & jack your own bill by hundreds just by picking wrong). Add to that, some people claim to be "comfortable" at 85 and others need a consistent 70 degrees + new well-insulated & sealed homes vs. old poorly-constructed homes and there is just no way at all to predict what a stranger in an unknown house is going to pay. Even a previous bill from the same property isn't much help if the old occupant liked 85 degrees & you want 72 degrees.. add to that the usual internet exaggeration & you'll have people claiming to get bills from $75 a month to $1200 for the same size house.