SMECO Emails

[nutz]

I didn't disappear. I was away from internet service until today, enjoying the electicity on a cruise ship. I mostly leave internet behind when on vacation; it's good for my mind and soul.

Your disparaging remarks about his business administration skills are completely unwarranted..
.

I wasn’t referring to you, but since you want to be offended, please do. Disparaging remarks? , piss off

 

[nutz]

I can never figure out how this can be, although I have my guesses. My house is also about that size, and is
all electric - and my bills are obscene. Even when the whole family is seriously stingy about energy, we can barely
get the monthly cost below 400 unless it is that month and a half in the spring or fall when the temperature outside
is so mild, the heat pump doesn't even kick in.

Admittedly - I have an old brick home with poor insulation, and like the previous poster observed, it would be
cost prohibitive to re-insulate the house. I'd never recover that cost.

No matter how I work it, my best option for energy savings is just get the hell out of this house.

I cant ever figure it out either.. My house wa energy star certified when built, uses 14 seer heat pumps with propane backups, all led lighting, tankless hw (electric), propane cooktop, electric stove, HE washing machine and I line dry. Temp at 65 winter, summer 72 with nighttime setbacks. MY average monthly bill is still higher than that.
I’m pretty sure moving wont fix it, all you can do is ignore the cries of “you’re using too much”.

 

[spr1975wshs]

I've started putting those notices in the shredder without reading.

 

[LightRoasted]

If I may ...

I can never figure out how this can be, although I have my guesses. My house is also about that size, and is all electric - and my bills are obscene. Even when the whole family is seriously stingy about energy, we can barely get the monthly cost below 400 unless it is that month and a half in the spring or fall when the temperature outside is so mild, the heat pump doesn't even kick in.

Admittedly - I have an old brick home with poor insulation, and like the previous poster observed, it would be
cost prohibitive to re-insulate the house. I'd never recover that cost.

No matter how I work it, my best option for energy savings is just get the hell out of this house.

I would wager spending a thousand or so by having a foot, or two, of insulation added in your attic would do wonders to reduce your usage. Or you could spend even less and do it yourself. Lowes rents the necessary equipment.

 

[LightRoasted]

If I may ...

I've started putting those notices in the shredder without reading.

And think of how much lower electric costs could be if SMECO didn't waste so much money on sending out all those notices, pamphlets etc.

 

[SamSpade]

If I may ...

I would wager spending a thousand or so by having a foot, or two, of insulation added in your attic would do wonders to reduce your usage. Or you could spend even less and do it yourself. Lowes rents the necessary equipment.

I'd take that wager - attic is currently stuffed to the gills with insulation. In winter, the snow doesn't melt very fast off of the roof.

It's an old house - when they built these old brick houses, there's cinder block, about an inch of firring strips just wide enough to squeeze in ducts and electrical - and brick on the outside. No insulation on outer walls. Windows were all replaced about 18 years ago and are generally top notch.

Short of dropping a huge bundle to improve the electric bill - which would be so expensive, the ROI wouldn't make it worth it - my best bet really is to just leave it to someone else.

 

[GWguy]

I have a 3200 sq ft house on 4 levels. TV is on all the time when I'm home. 1 large, 1 small fridge, freezer, All kinds of electronic devices on 24/7, security lights on from dusk to dawn. When I work in the garage, which is often lately, there are lots of lights, saws, drills, etc.... Pellet stove heats downstairs, oil burner heats the rest, thermostat on 55*. Insulation upstairs is non-existent, downstairs and basement has been upgraded.

Last month my bill was under $90. Month before, under $80.

 

[Clem72]

I'd take that wager - attic is currently stuffed to the gills with insulation. In winter, the snow doesn't melt very fast off of the roof.

It's an old house - when they built these old brick houses, there's cinder block, about an inch of firring strips just wide enough to squeeze in ducts and electrical - and brick on the outside. No insulation on outer walls. Windows were all replaced about 18 years ago and are generally top notch.

Short of dropping a huge bundle to improve the electric bill - which would be so expensive, the ROI wouldn't make it worth it - my best bet really is to just leave it to someone else.

Honestly, sounds more like a draft issue than wall insulation. New weather strips for the door, caulking around vents/pipes entering/exiting the house, and possibly cling wrap over the windows may do wonders for you.

 

[Goldenhawk]

I have a 3200 sq ft house on 4 levels. TV is on all the time when I'm home. 1 large, 1 small fridge, freezer, All kinds of electronic devices on 24/7, security lights on from dusk to dawn. When I work in the garage, which is often lately, there are lots of lights, saws, drills, etc.... Pellet stove heats downstairs, oil burner heats the rest, thermostat on 55*. Insulation upstairs is non-existent, downstairs and basement has been upgraded.

Last month my bill was under $90. Month before, under $80.

What's your July and August bill average? You're doing most of your heating with wood and oil, so your winter time SMECO bill is arguably irrelevant to any discussion of house efficiency.

And very few people leave their thermostat on 55. I'm lucky if my wife lets me drop it below 73 in the winter.

 

[GWguy]

What's your July and August bill average? You're doing most of your heating with wood and oil, so your winter time SMECO bill is arguably irrelevant to any discussion of house efficiency.

And very few people leave their thermostat on 55. I'm lucky if my wife lets me drop it below 73 in the winter.

Summer was between $200 and $250. I expect it to go down this year, had a new a/c put in end of last year, much higher efficiency.

 

[Chris0nllyn]

I can never figure out how this can be, although I have my guesses. My house is also about that size, and is
all electric - and my bills are obscene. Even when the whole family is seriously stingy about energy, we can barely
get the monthly cost below 400 unless it is that month and a half in the spring or fall when the temperature outside
is so mild, the heat pump doesn't even kick in.

Admittedly - I have an old brick home with poor insulation, and like the previous poster observed, it would be
cost prohibitive to re-insulate the house. I'd never recover that cost.

No matter how I work it, my best option for energy savings is just get the hell out of this house.

I should note that I have oil heat, not a heat pump.

I also have 2 fridges, a deep freezer, but just put in a new water heater.

 

[SamSpade]

Honestly, sounds more like a draft issue than wall insulation. New weather strips for the door, caulking around vents/pipes entering/exiting the house, and possibly cling wrap over the windows may do wonders for you.

I suspect it's a lot of things. My wife and kids like to have SOME things running 24/7. Granted, they're stuff like TVs and computers which run on low energy on standby, but they never turn them off. Another is the hot water - I don't know if it's faulty pipes, but we never have any damned hot water to speak of, and I have the setting on the tank set to OH DEAR GOD that's hot. I suspect it's stuff like someone wants it cooler in their room at night - so they leave the window open all night - and all day if I don't catch it.

But I also think it's a lot of poorly done windows - I don't think they close properly making a good seal.
And it's doors to the outside where the weather stripping on the bottom has worn out, effectively leaving a HOLE.

And of course - the utter lack of insulation in all of the outer walls probably isn't helping much.

My plan really is - survive a while longer and get the hell out of Dodge. I have no desire to pump money into a house
I don't wish to live in 15 years from now.

 

[jazz lady]

I got this email today. Something doesn't quite add up.