Upgrades to increase efficiency in the summer time

[2165 Turbo Rail]

oops I lied, my bill was $87 last month
I only used 900
and I use StarTexPower http://www.startexpower.com

[ceyko]

2777 kw last month...

I did a huge analysis, to include measure various breakers in my home. It may simply be turning off power strips to stuff not in use and so on. A device that takes .25 cents a day to run, multiplied by whatever amount of devices over a 30 day period adds up.

It never hurts to do the improvements, but some of it may need to be internal as well.

[lowthreeohz]

72-74 during the day? do you work at home or something?

there's no reason my house ever needs to be that cold. 78 when we're not around and 75-76 to go to sleep.

[Broncojohnny]

The powered exhaust fan in the attic will make a difference. I put one in and set the thermostat to 100 degrees, it pretty much runs all day during the summer. Don't get the solar ones either, they suck because they can't move enough air.

Also, do you have flourescent bulbs? That is an easy one that is worth a few bucks.

[2K2 LS1]

Also, do you have flourescent bulbs? That is an easy one that is worth a few bucks.

I had those in the day we moved in!

[Broncojohnny]

I had those in the day we moved in!

Then get you some of those LED ones that cost $50 each lmao!

[2K2 LS1]

Then get you some of those LED ones that cost $50 each lmao!

I think if I were to replace the fluorescent bulbs I would go back to incandescent, as the wife prefers the glow and light they put of since it seems more natural lol

[mustang1200]

I'm paying $0.107/k/Wh and looks like I'm averaging about 750kWh a month this year with the highest being 832 and that was 3/25 to 4/25. This is a fairly new house with all the energy efficient goodies. Good insulation, radiant barrier, gas charged double pane windows, florescent bulbs. The I notice the most is that the heat/ac doesn't run much. It will maintain a 75 degree temp nearly all day without running. Sometimes I have to turn it down just to get the air to circulate.

I say everyone should go by a new house. lol

[UserX]

I don't think putting a water heater on a timer achieves squat... when you turn it off for an extended period, you'll just use more energy having to heat it all back up again.

If you're not at home using water, chances are it's barely running anyway.... especially if it's in a hot location like an attic or garage.

[UserX]

72-74 during the day? do you work at home or something?

there's no reason my house ever needs to be that cold. 78 when we're not around and 75-76 to go to sleep.

I was thinking the same... I leave mine at 78* when I'm home, 85* when I'm not, and 82* while I'm sleeping.

My bill this month was $62.00

[2K2 LS1]

I rather pay more to sleep in comfort than sleep in 82* that is plain silly to me. That would be like sleeping outside on a summer night. Squash that!

[unkoricky]

72-74 during the day? do you work at home or something?

there's no reason my house ever needs to be that cold. 78 when we're not around and 75-76 to go to sleep.

When i use to live in an apt, we'd have to crank it to 73-74 when we got home after work during the summer time, it still felt hot
(about 79-81 degrees It felt like)

The insulation was turrrrrible and our electricity bill was ridiculous.

698 sq feet apt bill in the summer = 275-300$


Now i live in a house and keep it at 75-77 degrees when i get home.

2100 sq feet house bill in the summer = 250-300$... go figure

But i agree, i love it when my house is really cold, but 72? really. haha

[2K2 LS1]

I grew up that way. Nothing like getting in bed with crisp cold sheets

However I am on a money savings kick and have been bumping it up a couple degrees at night and will try to get accustomed to the warmer thermostat setting. I am sure between that and adding insulation and attic powered vents, I should see a pretty significant decrease this summer!

[likeitfast55]

Then get you some of those LED ones that cost $50 each lmao!

I did that, when I bought my new house. I spent 1200 bucks on LED lights. The 4 months I was in the house before I put LED up was over twice the electric bill.

If my electric is over 80 bucks I am doing something wrong. I put the AC at 69 at night! I hate being hot in bed. In the summer it may go up to 120, but that is the max I have seen.

I want to Grid tie 4kw PV's with a small 500kv windmill to work towards a "0" sum house.

I have gas hot water now but going to "tankless" and raident barrier in attic next.

I already have high efficiency windows (argon filled) Tinted. 1590sq foot house and it is built pretty well.(tight)

Go to planetgreen.com for ideas.

R

[UserX]

I grew up that way. Nothing like getting in bed with crisp cold sheets

However I am on a money savings kick and have been bumping it up a couple degrees at night and will try to get accustomed to the warmer thermostat setting. I am sure between that and adding insulation and attic powered vents, I should see a pretty significant decrease this summer!

Just don't adjust it up until you're already asleep, you won't even notice.