Electric Bill for older home(1971 built) 1200square feet in summer? (house, buy)

[pa2az2012]

What would the average electric bill be if you keep the electric on 65 degrees in the summer months? Would it be cheaper to just buy a ac unit for the bedroom and turn it on 65 degrees?
Thanks

[kyle19125]

65? That's very cold, not to mention nearly impossible to maintain when it's 90 degrees outside. I keep my thermostat set at 72 (I'm very warm-blooded) which I think you might find suitable as well. I live in a home built in 1978/79 that's 1200 square feet and my average monthly bill in summer is around $125, and have FPL as the utility provider.

[lcole07]

Here is some info and the rates for all the electric utilities in Florida. As an old retired electrical worker (FPL) I would think you would be in the 2,500kW usage at that temp.
http://www.fpl.com/rates/pdf/lowbillR.pdf

[beckycat]

I was going to say that is really cold as well. Most people I know don't keep their AC below 70. I think when people move from cooler climates, they think it needs to be that low. They find out quickly that is not the case. I keep mine on 78, sometimes my family puts it on 77 or 76 and it gets chilly. LOL

Anyhow, I just spoke to my neighbor to ask him what his bill runs. His house was built in 1970 and it's 1400 sq feet. He keeps his AC on 70 and he has an older unit. He said the most it gets is $160. That is with 2 adults and 3 kids.

Hope this helps.

[Rabflmom]

Originally Posted by pa2az2012

What would the average electric bill be if you keep the electric on 65 degrees in the summer months? Would it be cheaper to just buy a ac unit for the bedroom and turn it on 65 degrees?
Thanks

I am on the coast. Have FPL and a 1500 sq. foot house. My husband keeps thermostat at about 73 during the day and 75 at night. We use the ceiling fans. We get the sun out of the west in the afternoon for a few hours before the trees block it. House was built in 1984 and insulation is not very good. Garage conversion we have added insulation to walls but ceiling is only half done. Our electric bill shot up to $280 in July -September. It was in the $165 range from March- June. Jan and Feb had some cold temps but heating the house was in the $100 range. Only 2 of us here but 1 is here 24/7 usually.

as for a window unit....from my experience they can run as expensive as central air. If you don't use your air in summer your house feels muggy and central unit runs longer when you do try to cool the house. Things tend to get musty and mildewy if the whole house isn't cooled. UNLESS you leave windows open with window fans bringing in air that has come across the pool water , a lake, or the river etc. when we moved here in the 70s we lived without air and used fans and it wasn't too bad. On really hot days we went for long rides in the air conditioned cars or swam. Those were the days.

[totsuka]

You are going to pay a lot. The window units use a lot of power too, but you won't cool the entire home. However, the humidity will eat up the part of your home that you don't run the a/c in. You have to control that humidity or you will have problems in the home. I run our a/c at 78 (humdity at 48-50 percent) and it seems perfect for me. We have a 6 year old home with very good insulation but average windows. The age of your home, unless it was updated, might not be very energy efficient. Did you check the attic, walls and how old is the a/c unit there now?