How much should I expect to pay in Air conditioning costs in Phoenix? (house, heat pump)

[JackC83]

There are two different power companies apparently, SRP and APS. From what it seems, SRP is way more reasonable with their rates, wheras APS takes full advantage of their monopoly in their areas.

How much should I expect to pay in AC costs for a house in the 1k - 2k sq ft range, for both power companies?

This is assuming I keep the thermostat around 75, but have it turned off when I'm not at home, and when I'm sleeping... When I'm sleeping, I'd resort to using a window unit in the bedroom.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by JackC83

There are two different power companies apparently, SRP and APS. From what it seems, SRP is way more reasonable with their rates, wheras APS takes full advantage of their monopoly in their areas.

How much should I expect to pay in AC costs for a house in the 1k - 2k sq ft range, for both power companies?

This is assuming I keep the thermostat around 75, but have it turned off when I'm not at home, and when I'm sleeping... When I'm sleeping, I'd resort to using a window unit in the bedroom.

Impossible to say. There are too many other variables. (besides the variation between 1000 and 1000 square feet) Age/efficiency of unit, airtightness of house, insulation, orientation of house, shade around windows, etc.

Turning it off completely when you are not at home is not the most efficient way to do things. Turn it up, but not off... the unit will work harder to cool the house to 75 when you come home if you shut it off completely. Also consider time of use and managed payment plans to reduce/manage costs.

[JackC83]

Originally Posted by observer53

Impossible to say. There are too many other variables. (besides the variation between 1000 and 1000 square feet) Age/efficiency of unit, airtightness of house, insulation, orientation of house, shade around windows, etc.

Turning it off completely when you are not at home is not the most efficient way to do things. Turn it up, but not off... the unit will work harder to cool the house to 75 when you come home if you shut it off completely. Also consider time of use and managed payment plans to reduce/manage costs.

Then lets make it 1500 sq ft.

[Ponderosa]

My guess would be about 200-250, if that. Forget the window idea and get a time of day rate so it's cheap at night. You will probably find it comfortable at 78-80 during the day at least - especially after that July bill comes in.

[Kimballette]

Originally Posted by JackC83

Then lets make it 1500 sq ft.

There are still too many variables. Insulation, orientation, shade trees, etc.

[Kimballette]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Forget the window idea and get a time of day rate so it's cheap at night. You will probably find it comfortable at 78-80 during the day at least - especially after that July bill comes in.

Agreed! A window unit will gobble energy.

[Zippyman]

Originally Posted by JackC83

There are two different power companies apparently, SRP and APS. From what it seems, SRP is way more reasonable with their rates, wheras APS takes full advantage of their monopoly in their areas.

How much should I expect to pay in AC costs for a house in the 1k - 2k sq ft range, for both power companies?

This is assuming I keep the thermostat around 75, but have it turned off when I'm not at home, and when I'm sleeping... When I'm sleeping, I'd resort to using a window unit in the bedroom.

It sounds like you're looking for "worst case-best case" scenarios.

I can give you one for APS - 1566 square feet, 1987 built home, with tons of energy upgrades - heat-pump water heater, R50 insulation in the attic, new windows & doors, 18 seer two-stage heat pump. Family of two - thermostat set and left at 74 degrees during the cooling season. 7am-7pm time of use plan.

Worst bill ever? 1785 kw, or $220 (august of last year). Bestest bill ever? - 884 kw, or $110 with taxes & fees(March of this year). Keep in mind, we've had 3 price increases in the past two years...

I have friends who live in older (non-upgraded) homes of about the same size who pay closer to $500 to keep the house at 80 degrees. There's a huge difference in comfort (and cost) between 74 degrees & 80 degrees...

There are quite a few 1970's homes out here with r12~ish in the attic - literally, NOT COOL!

If you dry a lot of clothes (or do your laundry at the wrong time) with an electric dryer, you could blow these numbers up big time.

Many in Phoenix adjust their "comfort level" to what they can afford - I have a friend who lives in a 3900 sq-ft house who pays $800/mo to keep it "comfortable" at 78 degrees...

I wouldn't rule out the window unit - just make sure to get one big enough for that bedroom & seal the opening well - night-time electricity is cheap & many newer window units are actually very efficient.

[Kimballette]

Originally Posted by Zippyman

It sounds like you're looking for "worst case-best case" scenarios.

I can give you one for APS - 1566 square feet, 1987 built home, with tons of energy upgrades - heat-pump water heater, R50 insulation in the attic, new windows & doors, 18 seer two-stage heat pump. Family of two - thermostat set and left at 74 degrees during the cooling season. 7am-7pm time of use plan.

Worst bill ever? 1785 kw, or $220 (august of last year). Bestest bill ever? - 884 kw, or $110 with taxes & fees(March of this year). Keep in mind, we've had 3 price increases in the past two years...

I have friends who live in older (non-upgraded) homes of about the same size who pay closer to $500 to keep the house at 80 degrees. There's a huge difference in comfort (and cost) between 74 degrees & 80 degrees...

There are quite a few 1970's homes out here with r12~ish in the attic - literally, NOT COOL!

If you dry a lot of clothes (or do your laundry at the wrong time) with an electric dryer, you could blow these numbers up big time.

Many in Phoenix adjust their "comfort level" to what they can afford - I have a friend who lives in a 3900 sq-ft house who pays $800/mo to keep it "comfortable" at 78 degrees...

I wouldn't rule out the window unit - just make sure to get one big enough for that bedroom & seal the opening well - night-time electricity is cheap & many newer window units are actually very efficient.

You always have great info. Thanks!

[JackC83]

OK... here's my plan.

If it gets too expensive, I might just have my TV, computer, etc... in my bedroom... and just have that AC'ed at 75-80.

The rest of the house will have the thermostat left at 90. I currently live in Casper WY, and I don't even have central air. I spend most of my days in my living room with no AC, and sleep in my bedroom with a room AC unit.

I have been known to sit in my living room, at the computer, during the day, at 100 degree weather (and it feels even hotter indoors, since I don't have adequate ventilation... and the electronics in my living room make the room much hotter), and I get by with just a fan. I just suffer through it.

So I figure if I can handle 100 degree weather here... I can handle AC set at 90 for central, and lower for the bedroom... where I would spend most of the day, in order to save money on AC, and still be comfortable. Would that work?

[JackC83]

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