Electric Bill

[somdfunguy]

$90 last month

[SamSpade]

Originally Posted by GWguy

Even when I had people here, extra freezer, a/c running, hot tub, etc... I think my worst bill ever was about $250.

I am not sure ours has EVER been that low every year I have lived here.

I do wish there was a decent alternative to cranking up the water heater level - it does seem that no matter how high we crank it, it's never very hot.

Aren't most water heaters insulated already? I know when I set the heat setting, I have to peel back a layer of insulation. So, do water heater blankets do anything?

[GWguy]

Originally Posted by SamSpade

I am not sure ours has EVER been that low every year I have lived here.

I do wish there was a decent alternative to cranking up the water heater level - it does seem that no matter how high we crank it, it's never very hot.

Aren't most water heaters insulated already? I know when I set the heat setting, I have to peel back a layer of insulation. So, do water heater blankets do anything?

Mixed reviews on whether a blanket actually does much good. Probably better off with a newer high efficiency heater.

As far as temps go, you could have a faulty thermostat or coil on the heater. Cheap enough to swap out. I'll bet none of your pipes are insulated either, so you could be losing heat there.

[SamSpade]

Originally Posted by GWguy

I'll bet none of your pipes are insulated either, so you could be losing heat there.

That's my thought, although I'll have to see if that helps at all. The water heater is nearly new, so I don't think the thermostat is the problem.

Hot water gets shipped all through the house, but I never thought that there was much loss through the pipes. It wasn't until they did those ductless mini-splits on the radio that any heat was "wasted" heating the ducts themselves.

[MMDad]

Before I replaced my heat pump I frequently had $300-$400 bills. Since then I haven't had a bill over $200, and usually about $150. That's with an all electric house and 4 people.

[Wenchy (Premo)]

If I stay here forever I will never biatch about an electric bill again.

Heat pump and a wood stove.

Cold in the Summer and warm in the Winter.

Cheap.

~$100/month for everything.



I will NEVER live in a home with baseboard heat again. If I do, just shoot me.

[migtig]

We replaced our washer and dryer last year in December and cut an average of $50 a month off our electric bill. We saved even more when we used the clothesline over the summer. That was the only change we made and it made a noticable difference. Now I want to replace all our appliances with energy efficient ones.

[stockgirl]

Originally Posted by migtig

We replaced our washer and dryer last year in December and cut an average of $50 a month off our electric bill. We saved even more when we used the clothesline over the summer. That was the only change we made and it made a noticable difference. Now I want to replace all our appliances with energy efficient ones.

The tax credit is great!

[SamSpade]

Originally Posted by MMDad

Before I replaced my heat pump I frequently had $300-$400 bills. Since then I haven't had a bill over $200, and usually about $150. That's with an all electric house and 4 people.

I can't figure it out. We've replaced virtually every device in the house over the last few years, and it still barely dents our electric use. New fridge, stove, heat pumps, water pump, water heater, washer, dryer. We've even added propane backup heat.

We don't even have substantially lower bills in the spring and fall, when heat/ac use is non-existent. It goes down, but maybe 30%. It's still high.

I've heard a lot about "vampire power" but my experience with it - by measuring with different tools - is, it's really not a lot. Saving five bucks a month when your bill is 100 sounds great. Not so much when it's 400 or more.

[migtig]

Originally Posted by SamSpade

I can't figure it out. We've replaced virtually every device in the house over the last few years, and it still barely dents our electric use. New fridge, stove, heat pumps, water pump, water heater, washer, dryer. We've even added propane backup heat.

We don't even have substantially lower bills in the spring and fall, when heat/ac use is non-existent. It goes down, but maybe 30%. It's still high.

I've heard a lot about "vampire power" but my experience with it - by measuring with different tools - is, it's really not a lot. Saving five bucks a month when your bill is 100 sounds great. Not so much when it's 400 or more.

Maybe you should have an energy audit done. I think SMECO does it for a nominal fee. With all your replacing, you really should have seen some major savings.