Question about Electric Bill (Miami: home, costs, dryer)

[totsuka]

I set my a/c at 83...use ceiling fans...hot water heater timer....wash dishes by hand...not a huge fridge...it's all a matter of cutting back...but in the future we are all going to get slammed with the democrate plans for cap and trade...that's going to really hurt alot of people...

[seain dublin]

Originally Posted by annerk

Use fans just like they did pre-A/C. Air conditioning is NOT a "need."

That reminds me of another way to cut down on the a/c bill. I ahve ceiling fans in almost every room, and find that we can very comfortably keep the a/c set at 78-82 depending on the humidity levels with the fans running.

Really? Because our central air broke a few weeks ago. Thankfully the guy could come out and repair it within a couple of hours.

The house got up to 88 degrees within a hour or so, with all the ceiling fans going.

A/C is not optional in Florida.

[Synergy1]

Without A/C our home goes to 82 degrees. My wife must have A/C to breathe. We had the max SEER A/C on the market, lots of insulation in the atic, and close off rooms not beiing used. We still have $300 + bills and I will never raise the A/C above 77 degrees. At night it is set at 74 or 73. Our aunt in Ft Lauderdale doesn't turn her A/C on ....Holy cow!!!! Her home is HOT....

We have a solar Hot Water heater that is suppose to save us 1/3 electric and our first month we did see the rate lower to where it is now. With cap and trade I guess resting in the pool at night will be a cool thing to do....

[annerk]

Originally Posted by seain dublin

Really? Because our central air broke a few weeks ago. Thankfully the guy could come out and repair it within a couple of hours.

The house got up to 88 degrees within a hour or so, with all the ceiling fans going.

A/C is not optional in Florida.

So you're telling me that everyone in Florida has a/c, and no one lived here until after a/c was invented?

[Mike Rogers]

And just think the major electric companies are all looking to raise rates again. At this rate alot more people will be leaving Florida, because they will not be able to afford living here. Moderator cut: Off Topic/Trolling/Flaming

[TehB33nz]

I live in a 3000 Sq. foot 2-story house with 4 other people, 5 total. Our most expensive bill this summer was $380 our cheapest bill in Feb. was $120 (we have progress energy). We have 2 46" LCD HDTV's, plus 3 other smaller tv's, 5 computers, a few video gaming systems, 2 AC units and no ceiling fans. One thing to note is that the water is heated by gas, and that runs about $40-$50/month, so I guess we save there. Your bill does seem high though, compared to what mine is for a larger home.......

[seain dublin]

Originally Posted by annerk

So you're telling me that everyone in Florida has a/c, and no one lived here until after a/c was invented?

I know you like to argue with me....LOL...that is ok....but you know everyone uses the A/C most of the year here.

I guess you could live in upstate NY without heat,but I think it would be as comfortable as FL without A/C.

[doggiebus]

The invention of the A/C helped the population boom of Florida for sure. Before there was no a/c most people only came down on vacation for a few months out of the year. Florida didn't have a huge population before that as it was way to hot and the mosquitos were a big problem here in Florida.

[SouthernBelle3]

Originally Posted by annerk

Use fans just like they did pre-A/C. Air conditioning is NOT a "need."

That reminds me of another way to cut down on the a/c bill. I ahve ceiling fans in almost every room, and find that we can very comfortably keep the a/c set at 78-82 depending on the humidity levels with the fans running.

Are you nuts? Our a/c broke over the hottest weekend in August. Our house is a newer home and it got up to 90F in the house. Miserable. We finally got a room ac for the bedroom just so we could sleep. Had to keep the 2 dogs in the room with us. No way am I living in florida without a/c. In the pre a/c homes, the windows were larger and the houses were not insulated. Of course, I am not bold enough to sleep with my windows open in central florida ever. Too much crime.

[amax41]

Originally Posted by Lanntis

I have a house built 2003, about 2056 sq. feet. and 6 people living in it. we don't use a dishwasher,


but the washer/dryer get used a lot.

the AC is kept at 77 during the day.
Even in the coldest times in Orlando around December the electric wont get below 300+. what do you guys think ?

There is a big key. Our electric bill was under $200. Our older kids moved back and the washer and dryer were going every day at least half the day. Up goes the electric bill.

Washer/Dryer (especially the dryer) and computer systems (includes xbox etc) are heavy on electric.