Average utility bills in the Austin area (apartments, houses)

[COCUE]

Originally Posted by cBach

Where are you from originally? It seems you may not be that familiar with how heating systems function most effectively.

Heat rises, so it's usually better to have the heat on the first floor and less on the second. I wouldn't recommend turning the heat off on the first floor overnight, the furnace is having to raise the temp 5 degrees each morning during the peak cold. Also, having the bottom floor off could possibly cause pipes to freeze at night when the weather is coldest.

Consider keeping bottom floor constant at 68, top floor off during the day and at 69 at night. I suspect your bill will be a little lower. Our HVAC person said the bottom floor should only be 1-2 degrees lower than the top floor or the uneven heating will cause bills to skyrocket.

I've always lived in a house with heating all my life but typically just 1 unit and 1 thermostat you set that for the whole house and 1 boiler .. I just never seen or lived in a house with 2 units and just not sure of what to do most effectively.

Thanks for the suggestion. we will try this out!

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by COCUE

I've always lived in a house with heating all my life but typically just 1 unit and 1 thermostat you set that for the whole house and 1 boiler .. I just never seen or lived in a house with 2 units and just not sure of what to do most effectively.

Thanks for the suggestion. we will try this out!

Running the ceiling fans in reverse during the winter helps spread the heat around and reduces the run time on your furnace. Because it redistributes heat trapped at the ceiling. You have to flip the switch on the fan motor.

Steve

[scm53]

Originally Posted by COCUE

We have 2 HVAC units. We are not used to that. We turn off the one downstairs at night and keep the one upstairs at 70 degrees overnight. Our house is really cold and when we wake up in the morning, downstairs is usually freezing at 63 degrees or thereabouts.

Thanks for any insights

I would recommend you look into the Nest thermostats. Yes, they are pricey. But given our weather, the extremes will drive you crazy. The Nest are "learning" thermostats - after you initially program them with temp ranges, they "learn" how quickly your heater will bring a room up in temp. So if you turn the one off at night, but origami it for 68 at 6:30, it will start heating in tine to have it at 68 on time. Plus, they know when a zone is unoccupied, and shut down then.

Take a hard look - might be just what you need.

[scm53]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

That OOMA landline sounds interesting. Free Home Phone Service | Ooma

Absolutely the way to go. Besides the cost advantage, the ability to block telemarketers (after they get through once) and the fact it doesn't require you to dial 512 if calling from a 512 number - is the icing on the cake.

[sanmiguel]

Speaking of utility bills, Austin Energy is late mailing statements this month. Only reason I care is that I recently installed a Nest thermostat and am anxious to see my first month's savings.

[mayfair44]

Originally Posted by sanmiguel

Speaking of utility bills, Austin Energy is late mailing statements this month. Only reason I care is that I recently installed a Nest thermostat and am anxious to see my first month's savings.

Why wait for the paper statement?

https://coautilities.com/wps/myporta...vUU5RSy9ZRllB/

Or better, just track it.

https://austinenergyapp.com:8444/AE_...i-state=dialog

[sanmiguel]

Originally Posted by mayfair44

Why wait for the paper statement?

https://coautilities.com/wps/myporta...vUU5RSy9ZRllB/

Or better, just track it.

https://austinenergyapp.com:8444/AE_...i-state=dialog

I misspoke. I should have said posted rather than mailed. My statement usually appears on the website the 24th of each month and I pay it the following day. This month showed up online yesterday. That is a pretty cool app you posted. Another I use is the ios app Check to track COA, Verizon, Grande, Texas Gas and other recurring bills. It not only shows amounts due but breakdown for the various services.

[mayfair44]

Originally Posted by sanmiguel

I misspoke. I should have said posted rather than mailed. My statement usually appears on the website the 24th of each month and I pay it the following day. This month showed up online yesterday. That is a pretty cool app you posted. Another I use is the ios app Check to track COA, Verizon, Grande, Texas Gas and other recurring bills. It not only shows amounts due but breakdown for the various services.

Yeah, I saw something similar that COA/Nest pushed, but I don't feel the need for a secondary site to tell me how much my utility bill was. Something that I can use to check actual daily usage is better. Energy efficiency tools keep evolving. Did you get your Nest rebate from the city?

[Tralfaz]

Originally Posted by scm53

I would recommend you look into the Nest thermostats. Yes, they are pricey. But given our weather, the extremes will drive you crazy. The Nest are "learning" thermostats - after you initially program them with temp ranges, they "learn" how quickly your heater will bring a room up in temp. So if you turn the one off at night, but origami it for 68 at 6:30, it will start heating in tine to have it at 68 on time. Plus, they know when a zone is unoccupied, and shut down then.

I have 2 of them, they're great.. I don't think mine have learned my patterns much, but that's probably because I am enough of a control-freak that I use the website and mobile apps to set temps, Away, etc.

[Chip_Vanilla]

Lubbock has really cheap utility costs.