Electric Bill in summer months? (Miami, Tampa: homes, restaurant, stores)

[Ryan_M]

We have a new house so insulation/energy efficiency is probably pretty good. Our house is nearly 4000sq.ft. we let the temp rise to about 78 during the day when we are not here and cool it down to 74 at night for sleeping. We have a lot of electronics in our house also I use a lot of power in the garage from time to time (it's my work shop) and I have nearly 1kW of fluorescent lighting in there. Our June bill was $188 and July was $199.

I have found water to be a bit pricey. When we first moved in about 4 months ago our water bill was around $200, we were atering the lawn twice a week because it was new sod and we weren't getting a lot of rain. Now that I shut the irrigation system off our water bills are about $75. So watering the lawn costs quite a bit.

[tinytrump]

JULY since I have been here is always higher.., fight if you want but they sock it to us JULY every year

[chi_tino]

Originally Posted by tinytrump

JULY since I have been here is always higher.., fight if you want but they sock it to us JULY every year

Believe it or not, the electric rate stays exactly the same. If you go outside and look at the side of your house, there is an electric meter. You can actually track your own usage so that you don't get surprised every July.

[tinytrump]

I was told a few years back in Tampa, that they scan or use a general figure, or something. I since that time had moved under progress, but this year I am very happy with bill less than $50.. for july!

[dlhanson]

Our electric bill is about $130 per month in the summer including about an $8 monthly surge protector charge.
Single story single family home built in 1989
1950 sq ft
Temp -- 78 deg F daytime -- 82 deg F nighttime --- 50% humidity maximum

Aluminum tile roof
high efficiency Carrier heatpump
no pool
the previous owner planted bushes that completely shade the southern side of the house including the windows.

[FloridaKash]

$240 last month. 2200 SF, built in late 70's. Old ass air condtioner, single pane windows, probably need insulation in the attic too, swimming pool. Thermostat is set at 78 - 80

[DanBev]

We are 28 by 63 double wide,June $86 July $87,We have AC on 78,24/7 365 days.I expect Aug to be around $130-$150 because of extreme heat,we have been running temp well over 90 for a long time,Florida Power.

[sinatras]

When I lived in DC I set my thermostat at 70 when it was 95 degrees outsides in summer. My bill was never more than 100 bucks.
Here i live in same type house with same square footage.
Here I have to keep thermostat at 78 to keep bill under 150 bucks in same 95 degrees.

If you don't like being hot in your house, don't move to Florida. Because I think we can all admit that 78 is nowhere near comfortable.

No store or restaurant or library keeps its thermostat at 78.

[Tamatem]

Originally Posted by sinatras

When I lived in DC I set my thermostat at 70 when it was 95 degrees outsides in summer. My bill was never more than 100 bucks.
Here i live in same type house with same square footage.
Here I have to keep thermostat at 78 to keep bill under 150 bucks in same 95 degrees.

If you don't like being hot in your house, don't move to Florida. Because I think we can all admit that 78 is nowhere near comfortable.

No store or restaurant or library keeps its thermostat at 78.

Stores have many bodies walking through it all day long, doors opening all day long, etc etc. My house is perfectly comfortable for me at 79*.

[The Villages Guy]

Originally Posted by sinatras

When I lived in DC I set my thermostat at 70 when it was 95 degrees outsides in summer. My bill was never more than 100 bucks.
Here i live in same type house with same square footage.
Here I have to keep thermostat at 78 to keep bill under 150 bucks in same 95 degrees.

If you don't like being hot in your house, don't move to Florida. Because I think we can all admit that 78 is nowhere near comfortable.

No store or restaurant or library keeps its thermostat at 78.

I am very comfortable at 77 in the house during the day in the summer, but want it colder at night.

However I am comfortable with the house at 71 during the day in the winter time when we need to use heat.

I expect that is because of how the body adjusts when used to being outside a lot.

My in laws say they are cold in our house at 77. They like theirs at 80. I have to shut the ceiling fans off when they come here, otherwise I never hear the end of it.