How is your electric bill in the summer?

We would like to compare our bill which easily goes over $500 during hot months. We have an Aldridge model built in 05 with 3ton and 5ton original AC units. Our basement is not finished. We have 5 bedroom upstairs. We tinted our windows to help with heat- and turn the AC off at night unless it's really hot. Our fan is always on for circulation.

It would be nice to know how we compare with others.

Thanks,

 

SFH, finished basement, only 1 A/C unit which is the original from 1999. Our last electric bill was $250. We have it set at 77 during the day and 80 from 10:00 pm - 6:00 am.

 

Thanks Steve. Do you know the sizes of the units? In tons?

 

Wow! That is making me wonder. What is the size of the unit in tons? Your last bill is for June I am assuming... OMG!

 

I take advantage of their budget billing plan and it avoids big spikes like you are seeing:

https://www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/your-bill/budget-billing.jsp

I do the same with Washington Gas.

 

We are aware of this program but we want to make sure that we aren't seeing the excessive cost due to our system installed.

thanks.

 

We are in a SFH w/ unfinished basement, temp set at 72 around the clock with original carrier units and our bills have been about $350/mo this summer. But I am a nut about closing all the curtains when it gets to over 90 degrees outside, closing doors inside the house and having the fans going on low, etc to maximize efficiency of the HVAC.

 

Hmmm... I am really starting to think there is something wrong with our units. I am too, as you all may know, trying everything to be efficient.. as eco-friendly and as "our pocket" friendly as possible. But still the cost is too high. I am wondering now, is it because of our AC units sizes.

We were told that one for upstairs is 3 ton unit and downstairs is 5 ton unit. Is this the case for all SF homes around here?

 

Where do I find out the unit in tons information?

The orientation of our house helps with our bill as well. We only have the hot afternoon sun beating in through the windows of two upstairs bedrooms and we keep the blinds shut in those. Our front porch keeps it out of the living room and office.

 

Behavior often dictates energy consumption.

Our water heater is set below 120 degrees in the summer so it's not reheating constantly and no scalding showers.

Wash clothes in cold water and dry them during off peak times. Plus the heat generated from your dryer will raise the air temp causing your a/c to kick on, and only wash and dry full loads. I check the dryer every 10 minutes and remove the lint and items that are dry. A full load of heavy items will dry in 20 minutes. If I could airdry the clothes outside, I would.

Avoid using the oven if you can or only during cooler days. Cook on the grill when possible.

Make sure your dishwasher is full and switch to air dry instead of heat.

Using energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs, low-flow shower heads, weatherstripping and energy efficient appliances are givens.

Covering the windows will save tremendously.

We are in a TH and last month's bill was high at $102 because we run a dehumidifier in the cellar during the summer months and run two air purifiers 24/7. The thermostat is set at 85 during the day and 79-80 during the evenings and on weekends.

Seems everyone attributes their high bills to A/C use when there are many factors to consider if you want to lower your usage.

Oya, what did your energy audit conclude?

 

Thanks. I am trying to find out why we were installed such a large unit originally by VM.. Yes it is very loud and can't sit much in the room next to it. I am going to find out if any other Aldridge units were installed with the same size AC... If not I have to find out why our house was the one to get it. We have been paying so much all these years... Not feeling good about this after all.

Oya

 

I am looking at our closing docs and don't see any info about the AC units.. I know for sure we have Aldridge - as part of their "Classics" which they discontinued building soon after we purchased this model. We heard that it was too wide for the lots or something.

Now I have to find other Aldridge models and see what kind of AC units they got. This has cost us so much $$ for sure last 7 years...

 

Confirmed with the original AC contractor that our house because of the sun room and the library called for 5 ton unit... and that's what we got... end of story..

 

You don't lose anything it adjusts and/or carries over to the following year. There are no additional fees to participate in the budget plan.

 

You are brave to set it at 85, during the day....I think my family would kill me. (;