Electric Bills (Killeen, Copperas Cove, Harker Heights: apartment, renters, coop)

[kryptickancer]

What are yall's electric bills like in the summer? Hubby and I are moving to hood and I hear that the bills are outrageous. We have to live on a privates pay so I dont want to get into trouble living off post if our electric bill is gonna be 300 dollars a month or something. BTW- we have 2 kids so I know it will be a little higher but Ive never had an electric bill over 175 anywhere.

Thanks for your info guys!

[NOTAM]

i think you might be the one who sent me a yahoo IM? if so, read it. i moved out of the suburban towns near Ft Hood e.g. Killeen/Harker Heights/Copperas Cove, to move out into the country, just to get farmer's cooperative electric.
My electric bills are significantly lower, and my commute is only 10 minutes more, if that, to FT HOOD. oh and i happen to not have water bills or trash bills either for some reason. dont know why, didnt ask. reckon its included in the rent.
Hooah! and Welcome to the Hood! It's great here!
but......i dont understand why you dont want to live on post-best benefit of active duty life! no electric bills, no water bills. when i was an army wife, i LOVED living on post, especially when he was in the big ole sandbox. i felt safe with all the MP's around. and being so close to everything. i sure didnt want to be stranded out in the country alone! but perhaps there is a waiting list??

Originally Posted by kryptickancer

What are yall's electric bills like in the summer? Hubby and I are moving to hood and I hear that the bills are outrageous. We have to live on a privates pay so I dont want to get into trouble living off post if our electric bill is gonna be 300 dollars a month or something. BTW- we have 2 kids so I know it will be a little higher but Ive never had an electric bill over 175 anywhere.

Thanks for your info guys!

[wife63bravo]

im also about to move to copperas cove, hubby just got stationed at fort hood.... and im lost on who to call about getting the electricity put in our name. is the electricity high or the gas?

[NOTAM]

never had gas, only electric. i just moved out of copperas cove out into the country a few weeks ago. my electric bill was 300-350/month and its just me and two 20lb dogs, and barely kept the house comfortable in the hot summer just to try to save money.
you can choose your own electric company by going to powertochoose website, which lists all the companies and their rates-just pick the plan and rate you want. i tried to switch companies just to get a better rate but my electric was still high.
thank God i am out in the country now and have coop electric.
why didnt you move onto post? then you wouldnt have an electric or water bill! sheesh, i airconditioned my outdoor patio ha!

Originally Posted by wife63bravo

im also about to move to copperas cove, hubby just got stationed at fort hood.... and im lost on who to call about getting the electricity put in our name. is the electricity high or the gas?

[texdav]

Having electricity only can mean a high yearly average if you have forced air heating. Much cheaper to have gas. But if you have only electrity then a heat pump is the way to go. Overall that will lower your total electric cost. The age of forced air air condiitoning (efficency) and the home itself can make a huge difference too. Some older homes with poor wimdows'insulation and sealing can really make a difference these days.

[NOTAM]

A majority of active duty members and families, at least enlisted, rent homes rather than buy, even if they can afford it, because they PCS as much as every 3 years or so.....and renters are not going to invest in a special gadget or good insulation/sealing from theiri own wallets.
I am willing to bet that both military families posting on here are renting not buying

Originally Posted by texdav

Having electricity only can mean a high yearly average if you have forced air heating. Much cheaper to have gas. But if you have only electrity then a heat pump is the way to go. Overall that will lower your total electric cost. The age of forced air air condiitoning (efficency) and the home itself can make a huge difference too. Some older homes with poor wimdows'insulation and sealing can really make a difference these days.

[texdav]

I was talking about looking at rentals or buying as many apartment are energy efficent now days and advertised as such. Many newer homes also if recently built. I'd sure look at the type of cooling and heating as that can amount to alot of money in three years alone. I personally know alot of enlisted that bought and made money in the past in three years but your probably right now days.

[NOTAM]

Well yeah...the BAH for an E4 is probably over $800/month, so that is extra money they have, on top of their paycheck to spend on housing. something i, as a civilian don't have. oh and add the substinence allowance (food) which is at least $300 i think, and of course all of the above are more if you procreate alot

Originally Posted by texdav

I was talking about looking at rentals or buying as many apartment are energy efficent now days and advertised as such. Many newer homes also if recently built. I'd sure look at the type of cooling and heating as that can amount to alot of money in three years alone. I personally know alot of enlisted that bought and made money in the past in three years but your probably right now days.

[case44]

Hey, have y'all noticed something?? I'm surprised no one has brought this up yet. Prices are going down!


Yaaaaayyyyyyyyy!!!!

[Philip T]

Originally Posted by case44

Hey, have y'all noticed something?? I'm surprised no one has brought this up yet. Prices are going down!


Yaaaaayyyyyyyyy!!!!

Are they? (dunno)

Tried to start a conversation about this (electricity prices going down) on the business section, but got no bites.

I have observed that many prices of many things go up and down, but it generally seems like electricity is a one-way ratchet -- goes up and does not come down. But you are seeing different? What are you observing?