Are you using your air conditioner?

[marla]

I am dreading our coming electric bill. It has been scorching hot in my area and we've been using the air conditioner more than I can ever remember using it in the past. I know this bill will throw my budget into disarray. Is anyone else in the same position?

[singinjeannie]

I've used mine more than I ever have in the past. (Since having air conditioning!) Pretty much it's run continuously for about 4 weeks. We have horrible humidity in Pennsylvania and it's been in the high 80s (F) and low 90s for the past month plus.

Don't know how we would have done it without air conditioning! We only have little window style units, but they take the edge of.

-Jean

[Tree0164]

I got my electric bill last week and it was $200. A big yikes. We usually have solar hot water during the summer months but that the solar water tank went this past spring. We also have an above ground pool so that adds during the summer months. So tightening up of the belt a bit to come up with the extra $100.

[lisasayzhi]

We live in the mountains, and don't have air conditioning. The highs lately have been in the upper 80s/90s though, so it's been rough the past few days. We use box window fans and ceiling fans... though it's hard when it feels like all you're accomplishing is blowing in hot air from outside and then swishing it around inside. We're moving soon further east and it will be much hotter, but the rent will be about $250 cheaper/month, but we will probably need to use the air conditioning there. However, it will be closer to my fiance's parents' house, and they leave their a/c running constantly, so we may spend lots of time over there... to keep our own power bill down.

[PrincessPerky]

I live in NC, we have used it the least this year, time wise, but it is working double due to the heat wave (high 90s low 100s). It is set at 80, so it isn't that great, but stull gonna cost. (my neighbors all think I was crazy to wait till Jluy4th to turn it on, and crazy to have it at 80)

[BAGAGT1]

I've got Central A/C, so I can regulate to have the A/C on only when we need it (it turns off when we leave for work, turns back on an hour or so before we get back home). I believe this has saved my electric bill from soaring too much, so far the largest bill has been $92 for a month. My house isn't very big though, only 1700 sq. ft.

[34saving]

The weather only retuned to "nice" 2 days ago here in MN. (Thanks for the rain!!) I know I'm going to get hammered in electricity. At least I'm on a budget plan, so it won't hit all at once.

[jmjj215]

We live in a 600 sq. foot apartment w/ just a window unit. It cools the front room and kitchen off pretty well (unless my wife's cooking w/ the oven) - the back two bedrooms get pretty warm though. We run it all day, but turn it off at night. Our electric bill is usually between $17 and $20.

[kashi]

I'm afraid to see this month's electric bill. We have central air now, and with the MN heat wave (constant 90's, anyone?) we've had it on a lot. For the past few days I've turned it off and left all the windows open, though.

[Fern]

I have 3 ceiling fans and 2 floor fans which i've been leaving running all day for the cat while i'm at work. I have minimal window treatments on many windows, so in the am before i leave, i've draped sheets and dark clothes across the windows to block out sun. At night, i open all the windows to let the cool air in, then repeat the process in the a.m

It's resulted in about a 7 degree difference in outside and inside temps, tho that seems to narrow in late afternoon. I do have a small, energy efficieint ac in the bedroom which i only run at night, sometimes not all night. I also shower at night and that helps.