Ouch!!!

[DianaB]

Originally Posted by Marilyn

Already doing that. We have 3 programmable thermostats. I think our problem must be the high coastal humidity. Probably makes the systems work harder, and the high rate per KWH that we are forced to pay. It's highway robbery!!!

What if you got a dehumidifier to help out your airconditioner? That might be helpful.

Here's something that talks about how a dehumidifier can help your airconditioner. You might want to check more throughly into it.

http://www.sylvane.com/dehumidifiers.html

[Marilyn]

Just had to post one more time.....

Diana, I will definitely check on the dehumidifier and see what our AC guy thinks about it. This may be why you can get by with your thermostat set at 78. Your air is dryer and feels cooler. We haven't tried it so far because when you live in this high humidity for so long, you are affected more by dry climates. When we go skiing for example in the mountains where the air is dry, my nose dries up and bleeds, our lips crack and bleed, and I've even had the skin on my sides get dry and sore. Our bodies are climatized to where we live, but will ask and see what he thinks.

Also, I visited with a customer today who lives in Bay City, Texas. He is paying over $0.20 per KWH for his power. His bill last month was over $600, and he lives in a new, energy efficient home with new energy efficient appliances. He did discover that there was a problem with one of his A/C units and has had it repaired, so hopefully next month his usage will be lower. He also contacted his electric company and negotiated a fixed rate for the next 3 years of $0.165 for his power. So I don't have the highest rates around, and ....there is a nuclear power plant at Bay City. Not sure that is the source of their power though. I think the power from the nuclear plant goes to Houston.

[Tink]

That's just awful Marilyn! I can't imagine paying that much for electricity.
I balk that ours is over $100. lol

[katcarasella]

Oh my goodness Marilyn, that is outrageous..
I have a very small house so mine never goes above $100.00 per month.

[Marilyn]

Just checked humidity and temperatures at various locations to compare, just for grins, and since we are comparing rates and such:

Now it is 6:15 a.m.......

My location: 90% humidity, 75 deg

Wichita, KS: 83% humidity, 68 deg

Frankfort, IN: 75% humidity, 70 deg

Chicago, IL: 81% humidity, 73 deg

New York, NY: 66% humidity, 73 deg

Trying to determine if humidity is a factor. Will try to check again this afternoon when it's warmer. Interesting.....

[Janet]

Walked outside today and my glasses steamed up...it's going to be so hot!!!


http://weather.msn.com/hourly.aspx?w...ly&weap=0#day0

[Tiramisu]

Our last bill was $355 and it will be higher this month. I heard that all the remote electronics use a fair amount of power because they are constantly reading the remote control. We don't manage electricity usage very well. We have talked about it - does that count? I turn the temp up on workdays and way down when home. I leave a radio or TV on for the doggies. Hubby and I both take two showers per day. We're all electric (2100sf) with a heat pump system (3yo), double insulation. Our frig is 22yo. One water heater is 22yo and one is new last year. We use ceiling fans in most rooms. We have an extra full size frig, a counter top frig, a 7yo freezer, and a 20yo freezer in the garage.

Things to cut:
TV/Radio for doggies
1 daily shower
sleep warmer
turn computers off
unplug or turn off extra clocks, VCRs, DVD players, printers
sale a freezer
sale extra refrigerator