My electric bill is way high..... why? (1 Viewer)

[TimDoss]

Ahhh... electric bills.... mine for july and august were embarrassingly high.
Here in CA, edison has developed a new tiered pricing, where the first
10kwh a day are about 9 or 10 cents, up to 30% over your 10kwh is still
9 or ten cents.... above that and the rate goes to about 63 cents per kwh.
Worse than a damn cell phone.

I think what was driving mine for the most part was my family leaving on
their ceiling fans all day long, on high... four of them at about 100 watts
each adds up quick. They used up a good portion of my alotted 10kwh a
day.

I bought, from amazon.com a device called "kill-a-watt meter"... you plug
whatever you want into it, computer, refrigerator, home theater, and it will
tell you how many watts it's sucking down.
Great investment for finding ways to cut down on usage. I was very
surprised at what is being used.

The key is to not look at what each one supposedly costs per hour, but
to look at how many kwh's your pulling and try to keep that down to
what you're alotted.

And as for you being an electricity nazi.... I'm probably worse... if my wife want's
to run the AC, I make her go without tv for as long as she wants to run the air.
One or the other. Still trying to convince her though that those damn evil clothes
she's wearing that's making her hot.

 

[TV555]

Haha. I rarely hear the reverse of the WAF.

 

[MarkHastings]

but, I find women to be much hotter when they aren't wearing clothes.

 

[Jason L.]

It is time to dust off this thread.

I live by myself in a 927 sq.ft. condo in Dallas that has electric heat.

I was home for 21 days and I was miserly with the heat. I never use the dryer. My electric bill for those 21 days was over $200 - unbelievable. I checked the meter and it is correct.

I get charged 15 cents a kilowatt for the first 1000 kwh and then between 13-14 cents after that.

I counted all the light bulbs that I have. I have 30 bulbs! I didn't think that there was that many. I have now replaced the majority of them with compact fluorescent bulbs but there are some halogen bulbs on track lighting that have no CF equivalent.

As TimDoss suggested, I bought the P3 4400 Kill-A-Watt meter from Amazon and I will report back on how much electricity my appliances are using.

This is the reason given for the high electricity bill from the TXU website:

 

[Clinton McClure]

Where I live, we get it anally from both the gas company (Reliant Energy) and the electric company (Entergy). I live in an 1800 square foot home. During the winter my average gas bill (thermostat set to 60 deg.) is close to $200 and during the summer the light bill (thermostat set to 78 deg.) easily touches $350-$400. Last August, the light bill was a tad shy of $500!!!! All of my lights are fluorescent, I do laundry once per week (electric dryer) and shower twice daily. I cook very little using my gas range and do not leave my computer on while I'm at work. Both companies have just asked for a rate increase as well. The gas company asked for (I think) 14% and the electric company is trying for 8-10%. It really sucks not being part of a utility corporation.

 

[Jay H]

Hey Dave, want to move in with me??

My electric bill last month was $11 and some change... Frankly, even I think that is quite low, since my typicaly electric bill is about $14..

Seriously, I don't think the electric utility has the same problem with the gas utility since I don't think there are inside electric meters unlike some gas meters (like mine).

Because of some inside gas meters, some utlities use an estimated reading and not an actual reading. About a year ago, the gas company installed a wireless transmitter on my meter so now they can actually read the meter without relying on me calling it in or guessing based on history.

They also have some electrical gadgets that read current and might be able to tell you if you have a "leak" somewhere that is running.

P.S. my gas bill last month was $20... I guess I better turn down the water heater some more... (J/K)

Jay

 

[Chris Lockwood]

Assuming your neighbors have similar-size apartments, I'd see if any of them will tell you what their electric bill is, but 350 sounds awfully high, even in winter.

I don't think little items like cell phone chargers are your problem, either.

 

[Todd H]

My house is about 1800 square feet as well. In the winter my bill is about $90. In the summer it is about $100. So it's not too bad.

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

Does you gas company allow you to report meter reading, Jay? Mine does, and I do so regularly now so as to avoid estimated readings (which just rub me the wrong way)

 

[Jay H]

Adam: Yes, and that was what I doing before the gas co. installed the wireless transmitter. Now I believe they just drive up the road and read everybody's meter instead of having somebody walk around and record it.

I just turned my furnace on for the first time this winter..I'm going away this weekend... (I heat by wood stove only)

Jay

 

[Dave Poehlman]

Here in Wisconsin we get our gas and electric rolled in to one bill.. thanks to We Energies.... lovingly refered to as "Wienergies"

 

[Clinton McClure]

I just payed my electric bill for January. $82 and some change. The bill actually breaks down how much Entergy pays for the electricity so if I did the math correctly, they made $63 profit off my bill.

 

[Mike OConnell]

I am on an average billing plan and there is no way for you to "lose" money. Unless you do your accounting in the short term and start in the winter... The monthly amount is adjusted every 12 months based upon your actual usage and whether you "overpaid" or "underpaid" in the previous 12 months. both have happened to me, but only by a few dollars each time. The advantage is for budgeting purposes and knowing what you bill will be month to month.

For example, my electricity and gas bill combined is about $200/month. My house is approximately 2,600 sqft and I live in one of the worst combined areas for electricity and gas use - Kansas City. Hot in the summer and cold in the winter.

 

[Jason L.]

I got my newest bill 10 days ago. For 29 days I used 1531 Kwh, which comes out to 52.79 Kwh/day.

The previous period I used 1495 kwh in 21 days, which comes out to 71.19 Kwh/day.

Both periods were pretty cold, so I'm not sure heating costs were the only reason. I put in a whole lot of compact flourescent bulbs and I made sure to turn off the halogen bulbs that I couldn't replace whenever they weren't being used.

I started using the Kill-A-Watt meter and this is what I have monitored so far:

Cordless Phone w/built-in Digital Answering Machine [133 hours =.61 kwh]
.004586 Kwh/hour
.110075 Kwh/day
40.1774 Kwh/year x $0.15 Kwh/hour = $6.02 to run for an entire year

36" CRT Television [10 Hours with sound off = 1.06 kwh]
0.106 Kwh/hour
0.53 Kwh/day [assuming the TV is on for 5 hours a day]
193.45 Kwh/year x $0.15 Kwh/hour = $29.01 to run for an entire year

I also monitored the TV overnight when the power was turned off and I got no Kwh used - I'm glad to see that it isn't an "electricity vampire".

Refrigerator [Purchased in 1999 400 hours = 35.22 Kwh]
.08805 Kwh/hour
2.1132 Kwh/day
771.318 Kwh/year x $0.15 Kwh/hour = $115.69 to run for an entire year

I'm curious if the refrigerator uses more electricity when the place is warmer in the summertime.

Bedroom Lamp using a 100w equivalent compact flourescent bulb [12 hours = 0.27 Kwh]
0.0225 Kwh/hour
0.045 Kwh/day [assuming the lamp is on for 2 hours a day]
16.425 Kwh/year x $0.15 Kwh/hour = $2.46 to run for an entire year

It's good to see the compact flourescent work as advertised. I will plug in a 100w incandescent bulb just to see what that checks out as.

I am going to monitor other items and see what they as using. Unfortunately, I can only check items that plug into the wall and use 110v. I can't check the HVAC, Water Heater, Washing Machine/Dryer, Stove, Dishwasher [I assume this doesn't just plug in the wall and use 110v like the refrigerator - I haven't checked] or anything that uses a wall switch.

I have to figure that the HVAC is killing me. I assume it was made back in 1984. I have never even seen it as it is on the roof. I had the water heater replaced in 2004 and it was much more efficient than the one it replaced. I can replace the washing machine which I believe was made back in 1984, but I can't imagine too much savings there. I never use the dryer. I don't use the stove that much and I never use the oven. I almost never use the dishwasher as I just hand wash everything.

I expect a big drop in kwh used for the next period as the weather has been beautiful in Dallas. I will also get the full benefit of controlling my light bulb usage. I will continue monitoring my appliances and report back.

 

[Dennis Nicholls]

Most dishwashers plug into 110 at a hidden recepticle under the sink. It's rare that they are wired directly into house wiring.

 

[Jason L.]

It's not a 220v plug like my Washer/Dryer? I don't feel like pulling the thing out to check.

 

[Jason L.]

I saw this blurb in the newspaper in case people wanted to know what the average price of electricity is nationwide:

 

[Jason L.]

I got my newest bill. For 29 days I used 420 Kwh, which comes out to 14.48 Kwh/day. We have had such beautiful weather in Dallas that I have not used the HVAC once in that period. Obviously that is the main reason for the huge drop in energy usage, but I also received the full benefit of using compact fluorescent bulbs and turning off the halogen bulbs that I couldn't replace whenever they weren't being used for an entire billing period.

2/21/2007 – 3/22/2007
29 days = 420 Kwh, which comes out to 14.48 Kwh/day.

1/23/2007 – 2/21/2007
29 days = 1531 Kwh, which comes out to 52.79 Kwh/day.

1/2/2007 – 1/23/2007
21 days = 1495 Kwh, which comes out to 71.19 Kwh/day.

I started using the Kill-A-Watt meter and this is what I have monitored so far:

Cordless Phone w/built-in Digital Answering Machine [133 hours =.61 kwh]
.004586 Kwh/hour
.110075 Kwh/day
40.1774 Kwh/year x $0.15 Kwh/hour = $6.02 to run for an entire year

36" CRT Television [10 Hours with sound off = 1.06 kwh]
0.106 Kwh/hour
0.53 Kwh/day [assuming the TV is on for 5 hours a day]
193.45 Kwh/year x $0.15 Kwh/hour = $29.01 to run for an entire year

52" Samsung LCD Television [10 Hours set on ESPN with sound off = 2.17 kwh]
0.217 Kwh/hour
1.085 Kwh/day [assuming the TV is on for 5 hours a day]
396.025 Kwh/year x $0.15 Kwh/hour = $59.40 to run for an entire year

I also monitored both TVs overnight when the power was turned off and I got no Kwh used - I'm glad to see that they aren't "electricity vampires".

Popcorn Hour A-100 [Power is Toggled Off but unit is still on 140 Hours = 0.97 kwh]
0.00692 Kwh/hour [6.928 watts/hour]
0.16628 Kwh/day [assuming it is on for 24 hours a day]
60.6942 Kwh/year x $0.15 Kwh/hour = $9.10 to run for an entire year
[Note: The hard drive spins up on bootup which increases wattage before it idles]
Sony PS3 Slim [Power is On but not being used 40 Hours = 3.09 kwh]
0.07725 Kwh/hour [77.25 watts/hour]
1.854 Kwh/day [assuming it is on for 24 hours a day]
676.71 Kwh/year x $0.15 Kwh/hour = $101.50 to run for an entire year

It is important to remember to turn this off. When the power is off, the Kill-A-Watt registers zero watts - not an "electricity vampire".

Canon Pixma 600 Printer [Power Off] [75 Hours = 0.03 Kwh]
0.0004 Kwh/hour
0.0096 Kwh/day
3.504 Kwh/year x $0.15 Kwh/hour = $0.52 to run for an entire year

Not an "electricity vampire".

Motorola Cable Box [Not sure which model, no DVR] [240 hours = 3.82 kwh]
0.01591 Kwh/hour
0.382 Kwh/day [Power On 24 hours a day]
139.43 Kwh/year x $0.15 Kwh/hour = $ 20.91 to run for an entire year

Maxtor OneTouch II External USB 300GB Drive [250 hours = 2.43 kwh]
0.00972 Kwh/hour
0.23328 Kwh/day [Power On 24 hours a day]
85.1472 Kwh/year x $0.15 Kwh/hour = $ 12.77 to run for an entire year

DSL SpeedStream Modem 180 Hours = 0.56 kwh
0.003111111111 Kwh/hour
0.074666666666 Kwh/day [Power On 24 hours a day]
27.25333333333 Kwh/year x $0.15 Kwh/hour = $ 4.088 to run for an entire year Standing Floor Fan 24 Hours = 1.73 kwh
0.072083333333 Kwh/hour
1.73 Kwh/day [Power On 24 hours a day]
1.73 Kwh/day x $0.15 Kwh/hour = $ 0.2595 to run for an entire day
Refrigerator [Purchased in 1999 400 hours = 35.22 Kwh]
.08805 Kwh/hour
2.1132 Kwh/day
771.318 Kwh/year x $0.15 Kwh/hour = $115.69 to run for an entire year

I'm curious if the refrigerator uses more electricity when the place is warmer in the summertime.

Computer Speakers w/subwoofer [Power Off] [48 Hours = 0.08 kwh]
0.04 Kwh/day [Power On 24 hours a day]
14.6 Kwh/year x $0.15 Kwh/hour = $ 2.19 to run for an entire year

Surprisingly, not much savings here. I was surprised when the real time wattage was a whopping 1 watt even though the AC adapter runs hot. With the Power on but the sound off it naturally used more electricity:

Computer Speakers w/subwoofer [Power On/Sound Off] [48 Hours = 0.19 kwh]
0.095 Kwh/day [Power On 24 hours a day]
34.675 Kwh/year x $0.15 Kwh/hour = $ 5.20 to run for an entire year

Dell Laptop Power Supply [by itself with nothing connected to it] [200 Hours = 0.06 kwh]
I thought this would be an energy vampire but it wasn't. Real time usage doesn't even register 1 watt.

Black & Decker Toaster Oven [400 Degrees for 15 Minutes]
0.17 Kwh x $0.15 Kwh/hour = $0.0255
So, it cost less than 3 cents to run this for 15 minutes - interesting.

Bedroom Lamp using a 100w equivalent compact flourescent bulb [12 hours = 0.27 Kwh]
0.0225 Kwh/hour
0.045 Kwh/day [assuming the lamp is on for 2 hours a day]
16.425 Kwh/year x $0.15 Kwh/hour = $2.46 to run for an entire year

I monitored the lamp with a 100w incandescent bulb and it indeed did use 100w of electricity. It is amazing the amount of electricity that you can save. Going from the incandescent to the CF saves almost as much energy as the refrigerator consumes [while the lamp is in use].

I am going to monitor other items and see what they as using. Unfortunately, I can only check items that plug into the wall and use 110v. I can't check the HVAC, Water Heater, Washing Machine/Dryer, Stove, Dishwasher [I assume this doesn't just plug in the wall and use 110v like the refrigerator - I haven't checked] or anything that uses a wall switch.

I have to figure that the HVAC is killing me. I assume it was made back in 1984. I have never even seen it as it is on the roof, which is quite steep. A neighbor had their unit replaced for $5000. Part of the cost is using a crane to get it up there. That is a lot of money. I plan on selling this condo and I don’t think it is worth the investment. I had the water heater replaced in 2004 and it was much more efficient than the one it replaced. I can replace the washing machine which I believe was made back in 1984, but I can't imagine too much savings there. I never use the dryer. I don't use the stove that much and I never use the oven. I almost never use the dishwasher as I just hand wash everything.

I will continue monitoring my appliances and report back.

 

[LanceJ]

Another Texas resident here. I'm in a 2400 sq.ft. 2-story home with electricity bills from $450 to $500 last summer (only two bedrooms up there, with a large pine tree for shade and a new HVAC system - inside and out - installed in 2005). Even a nearby relative in a better-insulated home had basically the same bill.

Ah yes, the miracle of deregulation has worked wonders......

 

[Karl_Luph]

Thought I'd ask for opinions on what electricity provider to go with in Houston. I bought a used 1800 sq.ft house.Reliant is the giant of course, TXU is well known too. Spark is another one I've been hearing about and was approached recently about Ignite. What I want to get is real feedback from people who have already tried some of the other smaller and newer providers out there. How about when you need service? Would be nice to know if you do have a problem,there will be excellent customer service.