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Our gas boiler is ancient with an efficiency now in the 60s instead of 80s (as per the energy audit guy) and we still seem to do ok as far as gas usage. As mentioned, we keep it at 68F even with an open floor plan and that's about the point where the kids' hands aren't cold and their noses aren't running - they are also wearing 2-3 layers of shirts. At night in the bedrooms with the doors closed and warm mist humidifier running we only keep it at 64F and everyone is fine - it actually starts to get overly warm so we even leave the door slightly open. During the winter months we are always above $200 ($290 this past month) for gas so it doesn't surprise me your gas was up at $400 given your high heat settings. High efficiency just means your system is at like 92% efficiency as opposed to mid-grade in the low 80s. Your savings still depends on how seldom it flips on.
Also, I hate to mention it now, but forced hot air isn't the most efficient either. Because it is blown, it doesn't evenly heat spaces and that may be why you may still feel cold sometimes. We had a choice when remodeling and most contractors as well as my cousin who's an engineer with hvac expertise cited baseboard as the most efficient - and so we went with that. Forced air vents are better in presentation and more modern and so it's used a lot in new construction.
Best indoor temp is 72. Kids get cold and can actully get sick if temp is too low. 68 is actully really low. Anything below 70 is really low for indoors. I would try to get another sourse or measuring temp because you are probably getting around 70 in your house and dont know it. Yes we are paying for every 1 degree, but between 68 and 70 is not much deffeence besides, my issue is trying to figure out the sourse of high elec bill and im almost 100% its the motor on the furnase blower its a psc condensating high efficiency furnace and reading online they eat a good chunk of electrecity so I think thats my issue.
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Originally Posted by StrangeLIPerson24
2 x units, 3000sq/ft around 1,000$ for 2 months between electric and gas is pretty high in my opinion, i just hope this was due to cold snap and thats all.
A 3,000 square foot home is a lot to heat. The variation between your low temps and high temps mean that it is taking that much longer to heat the place than if you made the variation less.
My house is 2600 square feet and the electric is approx. $210 (budget plan) per month with all new appliances. Unfortunately, we don't have gas service in the street so we are stuck with oil heat.
If it makes you feel better, you have a roof over your head and big bills to prove it. These are good problems compared to a lot of other people.
^ are all 3 zones on at the same time? We have 3 zones (1 is the basement) but only 1 is really pumping at a time. We are only up in the 2nd floor to sleep.
Interesting... So starting stopping will eat more electricity, which is whats happening... Also I dont know how are they efficient on gas usage if my bill came out to be around 400$ for gas for 1 month (550$ for 2 months due to estimates)...
I read a Newsday article this morning that PSEG has raised the rate for electricity but not for delivery to offset the higher cost of natural gas. For the last 8 years, my LIPA bill averaged $90. My firs PSEG bill this month was $140.
I read a Newsday article this morning that PSEG has raised the rate for electricity but not for delivery to offset the higher cost of natural gas. For the last 8 years, my LIPA bill averaged $90. My firs PSEG bill this month was $140.
didn't notice but looking at the bills you're right. Power supply charges went up from .0828/kwh to .0992/kwh. That's really $10 for 500kwh though so some of your increase was because of more usage during the cold front.
I'm still getting an avg of .21c/kwh which it was at some point in the past... last couple months it was about .20c/kwh.
I would agree with the others who suggested that because the prior readings were estimates, now the actual usage numbers were obviously well off the estimates. It's happened to us all!
I agree as well. The estimates were done while it was still relatively warm. The OP's heat is set low during the day, so the heat wasn't tripping as much. We entered winter, less sunlight, and had some serious cold weather since the earlier estimated bills. Couple that with the fact he has two blowers....
That bill is the pits. Switching from oil to gas to save money, and then losing the savings to the electric company stinks.
Last edited by OhBeeHave; 01-31-2014 at 10:55 AM..
I agree as well. The estimates were done while it was still relatively warm. The OP's heat is set low during the day, so the heat wasn't tripping as much. We entered winter, lessons sunlight, and had some serious cold weather since the earlier estimated bills. Couple that with the fact he has two blowers....
That bill is the pits. Switching from oil to gas to save money, and then losing the savings to the electric company stinks.
Yeah but again with this month actual and last estimate the elec bill is still around 230$ which is higher then expected around 140$.
Yes some times my 2-3 zones are working at same time.
I read a Newsday article this morning that PSEG has raised the rate for electricity but not for delivery to offset the higher cost of natural gas. For the last 8 years, my LIPA bill averaged $90. My firs PSEG bill this month was $140.
Interesting. So that could be one of the issues...
Yeah but again with this month actual and last estimate the elec bill is still around 230$ which is higher then expected around 140$.
Yes some times my 2-3 zones are working at same time.
Guys, thanks for suggestions and help!
You've indicated that this is your first winter in the house, and that the renovation was completed about 4 months ago. That's about 4-5 electric bills which were primarily in mild weather. My vacation house has FHA heat and my electric goes up considerably as the temps plunge -- despite the thermostat being set low in my absence. When I first bought it, the electric company based my bills on the previous owner's historic usage, which was considerably higher than mine. Is it possible this might be a factor in your situation?
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