Ouch - Summer Electric Bill

[dejr_8]

Just got our latest electric bill. It was the highest summertime bill we have ever had by about 40%. It is almost as high as a winter heating bill. (we have a heat pump)

This is the first summer since we moved to NC that we haven't been able to turn the A/C off at night.

 

[joviroxx]

This is the first summer since we moved to NC that we haven't been able to turn the A/C off at night.

People do that? turn it off at night? LOL.. That's never even been a possibility for me

 

[dejr_8]

People do that? turn it off at night? LOL.. That's never even been a possibility for me

I think it is a function of where we live. We live somewhat in a valley and are surrounded by trees. It usually cools off nicely during the night. Not this summer.

 

[joviroxx]

I think it is a function of where we live. We live somewhat in a valley and are surrounded by trees. It usually cools off nicely during the night. Not this summer.

Oh, I know, it was just kidding around. DH and I laugh about it all that time saying we should move to where we dont need to have that contraption on all year long!

 

[Dax]

Oh, I know, it was just kidding around. DH and I laugh about it all that time saying we should move to where we dont need to have that contraption on all year long!

HAHA..I know right...AC in FL gets turned on in what...March...sometimes sooner...LOL...What I wouldnt give to turn it off at night..LOL

 

[DVCLiz]

This is why I have an Equal Payment Plan for both electric and natural gas. I like seeing that same amount under two hundred dollars every month - no big surprises and easier to budget for.

 

[marcyinPA]

We just had a rate hike here....plus the summer has been brutally hot and humid, so our window A/C units have been chugging non-stop (weeks at a time!). Our last bill was not as big as I had expected. This next one will probably be a killer.

I wish we had central A/C. Not possible in our 100 year old house.

 

[MulanUSAF]

hi there fellow DISer from Chapel Hill

I've also had the highest energy bill since I moved here. But I have been turning the AC off when I go to sleep and have a tower fan in each bedroom with a timer shut-off. We set the timer for 2 hours and has no problem falling asleep. Occasionally I've left the fan on all night, which still uses a lot less electricity than having the AC on all night.

 

[dejr_8]

hi there fellow DISer from Chapel Hill

I've also had the highest energy bill since I moved here. But I have been turning the AC off when I go to sleep and have a tower fan in each bedroom with a timer shut-off. We set the timer for 2 hours and has no problem falling asleep. Occasionally I've left the fan on all night, which still uses a lot less electricity than having the AC on all night.

Not really Chapel Hill - we live in Chatham county but have a Chapel Hill zip.

 

[paintnolish]

Mine was $200 this month. We live in an old, two story home and it's been very hot and humid here.

 

[KristaTX]

How much was it?

 

[momrek06]

Oh, I know, it was just kidding around. DH and I laugh about it all that time saying we should move to where we dont need to have that contraption on all year long!

True story ... moved from MA in July '08 ... where all winter we had the heat raging and all summer we had the a/c raging. I was on a "budget plan" with National Grid.


Living in Southern California, we probably have had the heat on maybe 5 times (in late Dec, early Jan) and the a/c maybe 5 times (in late Aug) in these 2 years. There is never ever any humidity and being on the coast, there is a lovely breeze all summer long.

 

[JessicaR]

I'll make you feel better. My summer month electric bills are never less than $600 - that has nothing to do with our heat/hot water, thats oil and separate. The AC and the pool kill us.

 

[Kathi OD]

We haven't received our electric bill for the past month yet. I'm VERY afraid to open it. The AC has been running almost non-stop for a month (I think I had it off for 2 days and 1 night). I'm expecting the bill to be well over $600. In fact, if it's not somewhere near $700, I'll be surprised.

 

[Johnson1220]

Ugh I am with all of you! We cook with electric as well and with the central air the electric bills have been insane (most $ ever). And we live in the Northeast. This has been such a HOT summer. I like to think that the heat is prepping me for my Sept Trip

 

[JessicaR]

We haven't received our electric bill for the past month yet. I'm VERY afraid to open it. The AC has been running almost non-stop for a month (I think I had it off for 2 days and 1 night). I'm expecting the bill to be well over $600. In fact, if it's not somewhere near $700, I'll be surprised.

Same here - no end in sight with this heat. I think when the bill actually comes I'll have a drink first.

 

[C.Ann]

This is why I use the budget plan for my heat, a/c, and electric here at the lake.. Although they can (and do) adjust it a few times a year based on what I've been using, it never goes up dramatically.. I prefer not to look at that huge number (what it actually cost me during any given month), so I just pay my budget amount monthly and continue to live in ignorant bliss..

 

[sorcerormickey]

Ours was $500 last month. Needless to say, BF is not amused.

 

[si-am]

Ours was $175 this month which was the highest it's ever been. We keep our A/C turned up pretty high.... 82-85 during the day when we're not home and at night... 78 during the hours we're here.

 

[Nickimouse]

I'll make you feel better. My summer month electric bills are never less than $600 - that has nothing to do with our heat/hot water, thats oil and separate. The AC and the pool kill us.

The pool and the A/C kill us in the summer too! Our summer electric bill is $500-$600 dollars. Just the pool pump adds $100 plus,but the pool is how we can be outdoors in Texas in the summer.