[Jammie]

Which season do you dread the most for higher utility bills? Is it summer or winter?

[BornToFly]

I dropped my (already relatively low) electric bill by $20 last month by turning my thermostat up a few degrees at night. It probably helps that I also never put it lower than 78... ever... and that I only have a small space to cool.

Jammie... being from Maine, living in an old drafty house for almost 16 years, and having gotten used to my Dad leaving the thermostat on 65 all winter, but having it hardly ever actually even reach that temp at night due to cool air coming in from outside, I don't think heating my place is going to be an issue this winter. I'm very used to piling on the blankets, including my big down comforter, and the layers upon layers of clothes.

[tookey]

Originally Posted by Jammie

Which season do you dread the most for higher utility bills? Is it summer or winter?

I'll weigh in on that if you don't mind. The season I dread the most is the winter, I can always stand the heat in the summer and if I turn the A/C up so it doesn't come on so often I can always use fans. My bills usually run a bit higher in the winter because I just cannot handle that danged old cold.

[karibear]

Originally Posted by BornToFly

I dropped my (already relatively low) electric bill by $20 last month by turning my thermostat up a few degrees at night. It probably helps that I also never put it lower than 78... ever... and that I only have a small space to cool.

Jammie... being from Maine, living in an old drafty house for almost 16 years, and having gotten used to my Dad leaving the thermostat on 65 all winter, but having it hardly ever actually even reach that temp at night due to cool air coming in from outside, I don't think heating my place is going to be an issue this winter. I'm very used to piling on the blankets, including my big down comforter, and the layers upon layers of clothes.

Good luck on that! Nearly all of the clothng I have is way too hot for OK, even in the winter. Even the stuff I wore in the summer in AK is too warm for winters here. I have no idea what I was thinking when I brought my Sorels along, other than knowing how much I'd paid for them. Sigh.

[Jammie]

OH, that sounds absolutely wonderful. It sounds like it's nearly a tossup between the summer and winter utility bills. Is that correct? You can guess which one is worse for me.

Just waiting for the day where I can say that some of my coats are too heavy and warm to wear during the winter.

[BornToFly]

I turned the heat on for the first time last night... only for about 30 minutes til it warmed up a bit in here. After that, I piled on my new bedding - a fleece blanket and down comforter. I was so toasty warm after a few minutes in bed that I slept like a baby for 10 hours, and even then I didn't want to get up just because it was so comfy!

[stillkit]

Originally Posted by Nameless

Now that I've gotten your attention with that title I'll explain why.

Are we the only people in this state that have been turning off their A/C most nights the last couple weeks? Our neighbors always have A/C or heat on and their units are not quiet at all

How old are you? Old enough to work? If so, why don't you give Dad a break and offer to pay the electric bill for him? That way, you can let it run all you want!

[karibear]

Originally Posted by stillkit

How old are you? Old enough to work? If so, why don't you give Dad a break and offer to pay the electric bill for him? That way, you can let it run all you want!

Nameless is a college student.

I've actually done pretty well this year, only had the A/C on for about a week. Been leaving the heaters on at night the past couple weeks, but I have to keep the temp fairly constant because of the birds. I have, however, burned out a couple electric fans set on window sills. Takes about a month for them to gunk up with dust, but it's still a lot cheaper than keeping the windows closed and running the A/C.

[Nameless]

Originally Posted by stillkit

How old are you? Old enough to work? If so, why don't you give Dad a break and offer to pay the electric bill for him? That way, you can let it run all you want!

As karibear said I'm in college and actually living in my own place now. Either way I am the same way as my dad, it's just not many people here seem to cut back on A/C like we do. I love the Colorado culture, if it's nice outside open the windows! Walking around towns in the Summer with doors wide open, love it!

My dad also makes more than enough money to pay the electric bill. He is just from the north and hates the idea of A/C in October or May. He tries his best to keep it to June - September.

[Annemieke Roell]

I don't think your Dad is cheap ..... he has that good old Yankee frugality.

Seeing how people in Oklahoma let the heat and AC run with doors and windows open makes me sick.

I rather have that money in the bank and be a little uncomfortable.

Perhaps Oklahoma is not a good match for me, fruguality wise .....