What does your electricity bill look like in this Heat? - Page 2

B&DCalgary · #11 07-18-2006, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr_Smith

ours runs about $400 a month with the AC - highway robbery IMO...

How old is your house, and how large? There's no way a house built to today's standards should cost that much to keep cool in the summer (or conversely keep warm in the winter). My house (3,500 sq.ft.), built three years ago with low solar heat gain windows and properly insulated costs less than $100 for electricity in the summer with full a/c and my highest gas bill for heat (last January) was $87. It sounds like you either have a monster house or it's old enough that it's framed with 2x4's instead of 2x6's, has low quality windows, and/or isn't insulated to the same standard as today's houses. When I'm talking of standards, I'm referring of course to Canadian construction standards (seeing as you're from Edmonton), which are considerably higher than U.S. standards and several times more energy efficient.

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moymch · #12 07-18-2006, 06:07 AM

Mines just fine. I don't have A/C here in Germany. I wish I did though. I'll make up for the cost when I have to pay my heating bill this winter.

SuperGreg · #13 07-18-2006, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonK

I just got mine from 6/13 thru 7/13, 2,029 kwh
$504.27
I won't be suprise if next bill is close to 1G..

My situ.: 3,200 sq.ft., 2 A/C's (One 5 ton & One 3 ton, both 14 seer), home is just over 3 years old. Last months bill was $148.00 (2,022 kWh). The key is that I am on the "Time of Use" plan. Peak charges occur between 1pm and 8pm. Mine is set for 77 at night (off peak), 84 during peak hours. The key I think is that I really cool the house down prior to on peak hours to ~69 degrees, and the unit doesn't need to come on till about 6:30pm, and it only stays at the uncomfortable 84 for about an hour and a 1/2.

You definately have a problem here. Hell, I mean I live in Hell

.

1) Ensure that your filters are new and/or clean
2) Get on a time of use plan and get/use a programmable thermostat
3) Close blinds/curtains during the day
4) Install sunscreens on major exposed windows (This is a must here in AZ)
5) Check temperature differential between indoor ambient air temp and air temp coming directly out of your registers. The differential should be AT LEAST 18-20 degrees. If the differential is less than that, then you probably need a freon re-charge.
6) Have A/C coil checked and cleaned

How many A/C units do you have, and what size unit(s) do you have? It is quite possible that your unit is overloaded due to the size of your home i.e. I have 8 tons capacity for 3,200 sq.ft. You will know it is overloaded if it is continuously running and never seems to shut off.

That's all I can think of for right now.

Oh, check with a couple of your neighbors to see what their bill is running and/or call your Electric company to see if they can do a comparative check for you.

Dr_Smith · #14 07-18-2006, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCL

Hey, you have coal-fired generation, but lots of oil. We have cheap hydro power and flooded valleys. Suck it up and spend what you saved on having no provincial tax.

(a former Edmonton and Grande Prairie resident, who used to pay those electricity prices)

I hear ya. We have a place at the coast and I pay those bills monthly, electricity bill is rarely over $100. Ahhh BC Hydro!

ylwjacket · #15 07-18-2006, 08:02 AM

Geez, we pay $400 in good months, like in the winter. It's $500-$600 every month from April to October.

pseto · #16 07-18-2006, 09:44 AM

Mine is almost $300/month and thats before the 72% rate hike BGE has in store for this month in MD.

Dr_Smith · #17 07-18-2006, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B&DCalgary

How old is your house, and how large? There's no way a house built to today's standards should cost that much to keep cool in the summer (or conversely keep warm in the winter). My house (3,500 sq.ft.), built three years ago with low solar heat gain windows and properly insulated costs less than $100 for electricity in the summer with full a/c and my highest gas bill for heat (last January) was $87. It sounds like you either have a monster house or it's old enough that it's framed with 2x4's instead of 2x6's, has low quality windows, and/or isn't insulated to the same standard as today's houses. When I'm talking of standards, I'm referring of course to Canadian construction standards (seeing as you're from Edmonton), which are considerably higher than U.S. standards and several times more energy efficient.

It was built in 96. 4200 sq/ft 2x4 walls, however that still shouldn't account for that much of a difference. I've been trying to get the time to review our gas/electricity accounts to see if there's a better solution than Epcor/Direct Energy as I'm sick of paying through the nose for services. Calgary shouldn't be all that different. Who are you with and are you on a rate plan?

BMWJO · #18 07-18-2006, 11:04 AM

264 for June

blondboinsd · #19 07-18-2006, 12:12 PM

Thats nuts! Mine has never been over 110.00 and I run the ac at 75 too, mine however is much small at 1000 sq ft. The only thing I hate is that the sun does bake it like crazy so when I come home its usually very hot but in the winter time its not bad, I just refuse to use the gas because its so friggin expensive!

SuperGreg · #20 07-18-2006, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blondboinsd

Thats nuts! Mine has never been over 110.00 and I run the ac at 75 too, mine however is much small at 1000 sq ft. The only thing I hate is that the sun does bake it like crazy so when I come home its usually very hot but in the winter time its not bad, I just refuse to use the gas because its so friggin expensive!

You don't count since the average temperature in SD is 75

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