Can you help me w/ electric bill?

**sweeps** · 07-05-2006, 11:40 AM

Re: Can you help me w/ electric bill?

Dehumidifiers use a lot of power. Honestly, between the 2 dehumidifiers, freezer, main fridge, mini-fridge, and the occasional use of the window A/C, $130 doesn't seem too far out of line.

**lucasrd** · 07-05-2006, 11:45 AM

Re: Can you help me w/ electric bill?

do you have a computer that gets left on?

**asmom** · 07-05-2006, 11:56 AM

Re: Can you help me w/ electric bill?

I wonder if the problem isn't your usage but the rates? My house has twice as much square footage as yours and we use more than you from your description but in February my bill was only ~$55. Of course you have that freezer and an electric hot water heater and I bet that figures into why your bill is so high too.

**banana** · 07-05-2006, 01:01 PM

Re: Can you help me w/ electric bill?

I'm wondering about your rates also. On a great month I could use as little as 350 kwh which is usually in the spring and fall. In the summer I can use between 900-1200 kwh with the central air going and 1 dehumidifier. My highest bill ever was $130.00. I have oil heat and my hotwater is also oil.

**Ima saver** · 07-05-2006, 01:05 PM

Re: Can you help me w/ electric bill?

I have 3200 square feet, plus an extra garage with an apt., so 2 refrigerators and a full size ice maker that runs all the time. I never turn the computer off. My bill was $95 last month. My big savings is to turn off the hot water heater. My husband puts a switch in all the homes he builds, but before that, we just went and turned off the circuit breaker in the garage. It takes a second, and saves a ton. You only need to turn it on 20 minutes before a shower, or while you run the dishwasher.

**sweeps** · 07-05-2006, 01:15 PM

Re: Can you help me w/ electric bill?

According to this table, Massachusetts' rates are twice as high as Georgia's, hence the discrepancy.

**34saving** · 07-05-2006, 01:21 PM

Re: Can you help me w/ electric bill?

In general this group isn't very good at flaming, so you should be okay.

I'm with Sweeps . . . I think your bill in in-line with the power you're using, but I agree it's high. Some things to consider:
1) Do you need the mini-fridge operating all of the time? (Or is it more of a special occasion kind of thing?) If you can, unplug it when you're not using it. (Be sure to leave it open or it might mold.)

2) Electric hot water heat is EXPENSIVE. Try doing the laundry in cold (be sure to pretreat stains). Adding some vinegar can help if smells are a problem. (Sounds weird I know!) If you have an electric dryer that's also expensive, try hanging at least some things or at least double spin them so every last drop that the washer can get out is out.

3) As your electric stove/dryer/ESP. WATER HEATER wear out consider switching to gas. It may or my not be worth it based on your nat. gas rates (or whether you even have nat. gas), but at least consider it.

4) See if you can cut down the dehumidifier use. Using your furance fan all year round might help even out the moisture enough that you can cut down significantly.

5) Put a thermal blanket on your water heater.

**Ima saver** · 07-05-2006, 01:23 PM

Re: Can you help me w/ electric bill?

I don't even know what flaming is??Flamming??

**34saving** · 07-05-2006, 01:52 PM

Re: Can you help me w/ electric bill?

See, Ima has 3000+ posts and doesn't even know what flaming is

Ima -- basically being really mean to somebody in response to a post. For more insight check the shorts vs. the longs on any yahoo stock message board. . . .

**lrjohnson** · 07-05-2006, 05:22 PM

Re: Can you help me w/ electric bill?

I'd second the idea to not use mini-fridge except for special occasions, if possible.

I'd look at getting compact fluorescent bulbs. They cost more upfront but they last a long time and save power. If initial cost is an issue, just buy a couple at a time and use to replace bulbs when they burn out.

You didn't mention hanging laundry. Doing this made a huge difference for us. (My blog entry from 6/27 covers a lot on hang drying clothes. Watch out, it's dry reading...heh heh....)

Could you check the temperature on the fridge and feezer and make sure you aren't paying to keep items too cold, and adjust if necessary?

Fill the freezer if it's not full, to make it more efficient-water jugs would help and be a source of emergency ice if your frezzer isn't all the way full.

On DW, skip the dry cycle and leave propped open to let the steam out and let dishes drip dry.

I wish you great success.

**sakigt** · 07-06-2006, 06:00 AM

Re: Can you help me w/ electric bill?

Mine was $130 as well.

Im going to try and turn off the dehumidifier for a month and see how much of a difference that makes. I dont want a moldy house, either.

**Ima saver** · 07-06-2006, 06:16 AM

Re: Can you help me w/ electric bill?

Our rate is .091 cents per kwh!

**markio26** · 07-06-2006, 11:31 AM

Re: Can you help me w/ electric bill?

My Bill Was $94.13 Not Too Bad Considering I Bathed 2 Kids Everynite For 21 Days.
Not To Mention All The Cooking And Laundry..

**sweeps** · 07-07-2006, 05:03 AM

Re: Can you help me w/ electric bill?

FYI. Kill-a-Watt is on sale for $19. Plug a device or appliance into it and it measures how much electricity it's using.
Link

Can you help me w/ electric bill?