32 Days
1,263 KWH used
$105.09
That's
dum de dum dum
$0.0832 / KWH
1,263 KWH used
$105.09
That's
dum de dum dum
$0.0832 / KWH
Electric Bills Again
- Thread starter DADoES
- Start date
sudsmaster
Well-known member
That's nothing.
We're paying $.14/kWh here in Northern California.
More per kWh, if you use more than about 300 kWh/month.
We're paying $.14/kWh here in Northern California.
More per kWh, if you use more than about 300 kWh/month.
Umm Glenn, you had some major Bob loads washed and dried at your house. and I bet you kept the house warmer than usual too that weekend.
That was my point. It's a good rate. Bob coulda done several more Bob-loads at 140°F, LOL!
scott55405
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2004
- Messages
- 1,831
Ours is about 10.5 cents a kwh. It took me 2 months to use 287 kwh, so I'm not too overly concerned with it, LOL.
After I'd been here a little while I realized I hadn't received a bill and called, not of course wanting my power inadvertently shut off. I knew I'd called and signed up to get it turned on in the first place. Come to find out they only bill every other, instead of every, month. First time I've run into that.
After I'd been here a little while I realized I hadn't received a bill and called, not of course wanting my power inadvertently shut off. I knew I'd called and signed up to get it turned on in the first place. Come to find out they only bill every other, instead of every, month. First time I've run into that.
I haven't got Decembers yet ? But November was a grand total of get this $57.52, the readings were from Oct 15 thru Nov 8, 462 KW at 6.5614 kwh so that's about 5 cents US. I'm still shocked I used that much because I've been trying to be diligent and use less. I don't understand why so much power used because we don't use the oven much, use the mw or toaster oven. We don't use the dryer a heck of a lot, all the lights are pretty much compact fluoresents. Mainly it's the fridge, the freezer some air cleaners running all the time. Heck it's been so mild around here I haven't even brought out the electric mattress pad.
pulsator-power
Well-known member
Electricity
.....is just another thing in a long line of things going up.
Our electicity is increasing an average of $26 per household. Gas has gone back up from $3.08 to $3.38 in the last few weeks. Heating oil is a trip too. Food- I swear every time I go to the store costs more. Postage, .39 this weekend. As my father used to say, everything goes up except one thing. I won't describe that one. Jerry
.....is just another thing in a long line of things going up.
Our electicity is increasing an average of $26 per household. Gas has gone back up from $3.08 to $3.38 in the last few weeks. Heating oil is a trip too. Food- I swear every time I go to the store costs more. Postage, .39 this weekend. As my father used to say, everything goes up except one thing. I won't describe that one. Jerry
toggleswitch
Well-known member
There is a little blue pill for that, IIRC.
Scott, friends who built a house a few years ago in a nearby town, served by HLP (Houston Lighting & Power), didn't get a bill for several months. They called, also not wanting to get inconvenienced by a shut-off, and were told HLP had no record of their account! Upon pressing the issue, because they figured somebody somewhere would eventually figure it out, it was discovered that an administrative glitch had occurred when they had called to change the service from construction/temporary to residence billing. A proper account was opened at that point, with no catch-up billing for the prior usage.
I've heard of 2-month billing, particularly with rural electric cooperatives.
I've heard of 2-month billing, particularly with rural electric cooperatives.
scott55405
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2004
- Messages
- 1,831
Pulsator, you're *still* paying over $3 for gas there? Until recently ours has been in the 2.10s....now it's creeped back up to the 2.30s and they did say on the news it's going up again. It was just over $3 when I got out here in September, as it was most of my trip out from Minnesota.
It's all just a big mindf*&k game IMHO. We all thought $2 was high so they pushed us over that, then they pushed it to 3 to mind_________ us into thinking $2 was cheap when it came back. I better quit thinking about it now 'cuz it just pees me off to no end.
It's all just a big mindf*&k game IMHO. We all thought $2 was high so they pushed us over that, then they pushed it to 3 to mind_________ us into thinking $2 was cheap when it came back. I better quit thinking about it now 'cuz it just pees me off to no end.
sudsmaster
Well-known member
Our current gas rate is about $1.63 baseline, with the next level priced at $1.84 for amounts in "excess" of baseline.
Additionally, there is a 20% discount for the months of January-March if you manage to cut your gas consumption by 10% as compared with the same period last winter.
I am thinking of putting in more insulation under the floor... had it down there for a couple of years now, but never got around to installing it (I can think of all sorts of reasons why I have put it off). The attic is maxed out on insulation.
I double checked on our electricity rates. I was going by news reports, but the current rates are lower than I previously indicated. The baseline is $.1143/kWH, while the next tiers are $.12989, $.21314, $.29007, and $.33039 for quantities between 100% and 130%, 130% to 200%, 201% to 300%, and over 300% of baseline, respectively.
Additionally, there is a 20% discount for the months of January-March if you manage to cut your gas consumption by 10% as compared with the same period last winter.
I am thinking of putting in more insulation under the floor... had it down there for a couple of years now, but never got around to installing it (I can think of all sorts of reasons why I have put it off). The attic is maxed out on insulation.
I double checked on our electricity rates. I was going by news reports, but the current rates are lower than I previously indicated. The baseline is $.1143/kWH, while the next tiers are $.12989, $.21314, $.29007, and $.33039 for quantities between 100% and 130%, 130% to 200%, 201% to 300%, and over 300% of baseline, respectively.
Gasoline here was down to 1.969 a couple weeks ago. Now is $2.199.
I want an electric car! Electric prices around here a very chape 7.5 cents per KWH. Gasoline prices though are running around $2.30 a gallon. An electric vehicle would cost about the same amount as a gasoline powered vehicle that gets close to 120 MPG's. Range is not a problem since I'll be charging it every night, and I rarely go over 100 miles in a day's time. If I need to travel more, I can drive the gas powered car.
I'm not sure why they only had electric cars in California, they weren't even optimal vehicles there. Here in Richmond though, they're perfect because of the aforementioned good power rates, but also because commutes around here are short and easy.
For you guys that can't figure out where electricity is going, check for phantom loads. Many appliances really don't turn off when you switch them off. Electronics are famous for this, but many other appliances do this too. My satellite dish receiver pulls 20 watts when it's "off" and 30 watts when it's on. 3 watts here, 5 watts there, pretty soon, you got a house full of appliances that are pulling over 100 watts of power while they are supposedly off!
I'm not sure why they only had electric cars in California, they weren't even optimal vehicles there. Here in Richmond though, they're perfect because of the aforementioned good power rates, but also because commutes around here are short and easy.
For you guys that can't figure out where electricity is going, check for phantom loads. Many appliances really don't turn off when you switch them off. Electronics are famous for this, but many other appliances do this too. My satellite dish receiver pulls 20 watts when it's "off" and 30 watts when it's on. 3 watts here, 5 watts there, pretty soon, you got a house full of appliances that are pulling over 100 watts of power while they are supposedly off!
sudsmaster
Well-known member
Yes, I figure I saved the equivalent of a large refrigerator by controlling the phantom loads. Out in the workshop, I put the battery chargers on a week-long timer. It's set up so that the maximum the chargers will stay on is about 15 hours at any time. That probably saves about 40 watts. In the house, I put the main entertainment center on a switch (remote controlled). That saves about 60 watts. My computer system in the office is on a battery backup unit, but I shut that and most everything connected to it when the computer is not in use. That's another 35 watts or so.
When shopping for new electronics, I give preference to models that are marked "Energy Star". These have transformers that use 1 watt or less when idling.
I also put the Neptune 7500 washer/dryer set on a switched outlet. Normally each will consume 5 watts phantom load. The switch also helps prevent damage in the case of a power surge while the washers are not in use.
On the electric car front, I don't think there are any pure electric cars available in California any more. GM's EV1 has been discontinued; it was only leased to drivers, and all of them had to turn their cars back in after GM decided scuttle the program. Hybrids seem to be the direction the industry is going at the moment. After that, hydrogen fuel cells.
When shopping for new electronics, I give preference to models that are marked "Energy Star". These have transformers that use 1 watt or less when idling.
I also put the Neptune 7500 washer/dryer set on a switched outlet. Normally each will consume 5 watts phantom load. The switch also helps prevent damage in the case of a power surge while the washers are not in use.
On the electric car front, I don't think there are any pure electric cars available in California any more. GM's EV1 has been discontinued; it was only leased to drivers, and all of them had to turn their cars back in after GM decided scuttle the program. Hybrids seem to be the direction the industry is going at the moment. After that, hydrogen fuel cells.
Two problems to keep in mind with electric cars and hybrids:
1)Life and cost of batteries.
2)Costs and polution caused by disposing of batteries.
Ken D.
1)Life and cost of batteries.
2)Costs and polution caused by disposing of batteries.
Ken D.
sudsmaster
Well-known member
The other big problem with electric cars, is... how is the electricity generated? If it's generated by burning fossil fuels, then after generation plant and transmission losses, it's not much more energy efficient than using gasoline in a modern car motor. It does help to restrict the emissions to central location, though.
Biodiesel is another hot topic, although I understand there's not enough biomatter (like waste and virgin vegetable oil) to replace even the current diesel consumption in the country, let alone the gasoline portion.
Biodiesel is another hot topic, although I understand there's not enough biomatter (like waste and virgin vegetable oil) to replace even the current diesel consumption in the country, let alone the gasoline portion.
eddy1210
Well-known member
canadian rates
Last months electric bill was a whopping $15.93! We pay .06 kwH (and that's Canadian money) We used 156 kwH but we live in an apartment right now which has heat and hot water included in the rent. At my other house (where the machines are housed) the bill is a little more, averaging $40+ month. The other nice thing here in British Columbia is that almost all of our power is green and produced from the many hydro-electric powerplants we have.
Eddy
Last months electric bill was a whopping $15.93! We pay .06 kwH (and that's Canadian money) We used 156 kwH but we live in an apartment right now which has heat and hot water included in the rent. At my other house (where the machines are housed) the bill is a little more, averaging $40+ month. The other nice thing here in British Columbia is that almost all of our power is green and produced from the many hydro-electric powerplants we have.
Eddy
Designgeek
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2004
- Messages
- 865
The reason energy costs are going up is that we've basically reached peak extraction rate for fossil fuels (look up "peak oil"), so production won't be able to keep growing to keep up with growth in demand. Where this goes: prices keep going up until the economy takes a hit; a long nasty recession is likely until we develop non-fossil energy sources fully. Be glad if you live near a nuclear plant or a wind farm. And if you don't, then start lobbying for one.
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Thanks to whoever it was who gave me the quick lesson on cartridge fuses; the other half of my power is back on now.
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Yes, everyone look out for those phantom loads. The only way you can be really sure something's not sneakily sipping power when it's supposed to be "off" is to unplug it. If the plug is in an inconvenient location, try using a cheap power strip with an "off" switch, and mounting it somewhere you can reach easily.
---
Electric cars: Do a web search under "electric vehicles," there are numerous small manufacturers in business. The wave of the future seems to be "plug-in hybrids," where you can plug in overnight to recharge, get 100 miles' range on the batteries alone, and use the internal combustion engine when you need to drive longer distances. Yes, electric cars presently use "fossil fuels at a distance." But the more electric cars out there, the more demand for electricity, and given "peak oil," that means more wind, more nuclear, and more solar.
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Thanks to whoever it was who gave me the quick lesson on cartridge fuses; the other half of my power is back on now.
---
Yes, everyone look out for those phantom loads. The only way you can be really sure something's not sneakily sipping power when it's supposed to be "off" is to unplug it. If the plug is in an inconvenient location, try using a cheap power strip with an "off" switch, and mounting it somewhere you can reach easily.
---
Electric cars: Do a web search under "electric vehicles," there are numerous small manufacturers in business. The wave of the future seems to be "plug-in hybrids," where you can plug in overnight to recharge, get 100 miles' range on the batteries alone, and use the internal combustion engine when you need to drive longer distances. Yes, electric cars presently use "fossil fuels at a distance." But the more electric cars out there, the more demand for electricity, and given "peak oil," that means more wind, more nuclear, and more solar.
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sometimes the "phantom load" is necessary-I don't want to reprogram all my home theater components by unplugging them and programming them for each use-the phanton power is with it to me.This is also a factor in "real" theaters too-projectionists don't want to reprogram sound processors every day before the days run of movies!
Glad the info on cartridge fuses was helpful-
In terms of power-the US has the greatest coal reserves and ores for nuclear fuel-the usual strategy for electric power generation is to use the fuels and prime movers that are most abundant and least expensive.It is true we are using the fossil fuels quickly.The answer is now "multiple sources"this would include the nuclear,fossil fuels,and wind farms.Now envionmental folks are complaining about wind turbines becuase they spoil views,make noise.-and the "not in my backyard "syndrome.also unlike other fuels and prime movers-you can't control them.electric companies like to be able to "control" their prime movers.The great thing about electricity is there is so many diffrent "fuels" we can use to generate it.Thats where electric vehicles can be a godsend.You are not stuck with one type of fuel to run the car.And with proposed "solar parking lots" the cars can be charged while they are parked at work or the shopping place.The parking place would have a roof on it covered with the solar cells.
Glad the info on cartridge fuses was helpful-
In terms of power-the US has the greatest coal reserves and ores for nuclear fuel-the usual strategy for electric power generation is to use the fuels and prime movers that are most abundant and least expensive.It is true we are using the fossil fuels quickly.The answer is now "multiple sources"this would include the nuclear,fossil fuels,and wind farms.Now envionmental folks are complaining about wind turbines becuase they spoil views,make noise.-and the "not in my backyard "syndrome.also unlike other fuels and prime movers-you can't control them.electric companies like to be able to "control" their prime movers.The great thing about electricity is there is so many diffrent "fuels" we can use to generate it.Thats where electric vehicles can be a godsend.You are not stuck with one type of fuel to run the car.And with proposed "solar parking lots" the cars can be charged while they are parked at work or the shopping place.The parking place would have a roof on it covered with the solar cells.
toggleswitch
Well-known member
For us FORMER accountants:
Gas (dryer) $12 per month
Electric (cooking, A/C etc) $183 per momth
Fuel oil (heat and hot water)$177 per month
Water $20 per month
All on budget plans.
Knowing what your expenses are in advance (ostensibly *FIXED* expenses)- priceless.
Gas (dryer) $12 per month
Electric (cooking, A/C etc) $183 per momth
Fuel oil (heat and hot water)$177 per month
Water $20 per month
All on budget plans.
Knowing what your expenses are in advance (ostensibly *FIXED* expenses)- priceless.
vivalalavatrice
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2005
- Messages
- 1,031
Complaints to American Electricity?!?
As far as I remember the most electricity you use in North-America is produced by nuclear resources... what would we have to say in Italy without neclear?!?!? In another forum I said that: we consume a lot of energy more than that we can produce by our electric centrals (almost the 90% are idro-electric centrals, the remaining 10% is produced by wind/geothermic rescources). That's why we have to import electricity from other countries as France or Swiss which produce nuclear energy the same and that make our bills higher than the ones of the other Europe countries.
Anyway here in Italy 1 Kwh costs from 0,008€ to 0,012€... it depends on how Kwh you use per year. About gas or water I dont'remember... I have to ask my father who is busy with them...
BYE
As far as I remember the most electricity you use in North-America is produced by nuclear resources... what would we have to say in Italy without neclear?!?!? In another forum I said that: we consume a lot of energy more than that we can produce by our electric centrals (almost the 90% are idro-electric centrals, the remaining 10% is produced by wind/geothermic rescources). That's why we have to import electricity from other countries as France or Swiss which produce nuclear energy the same and that make our bills higher than the ones of the other Europe countries.
Anyway here in Italy 1 Kwh costs from 0,008€ to 0,012€... it depends on how Kwh you use per year. About gas or water I dont'remember... I have to ask my father who is busy with them...
BYE
The TX Public Utility Commision has approved putting wind farms in the Gulf of Mexico
I hear there's been preliminary application for a power plant on the Colorado River near Wharton. But I hear it'd be gas-fired.
We already have STP near Bay City, but who knows where that power goes. My electric mostly comes from a plant near San Antonio (I think that's where) that runs on lignite with gas as a backup during maintenance.
We already have STP near Bay City, but who knows where that power goes. My electric mostly comes from a plant near San Antonio (I think that's where) that runs on lignite with gas as a backup during maintenance.
sudsmaster
Well-known member
Actually, only a small fraction of electricity in America is produced by nuclear power plants. After the Three Mile Island near "China Syndrome" in the 1970's, construction of new plants has virtually halted, and older plants are being decomissioned at rather high cost (which is tacked onto consumer energy bills).
Nuclear does have some things going for it - plentiful fuel, no CO2 or smog-producing emissions. But plant siting, security, and waste disposal are serious problems. As well as the occasional melt-down. Additionally, the radioactivity at the core of a nuclear plant takes its toll on unrepairable components, so eventually the plant has to be mothballed. All this drives the real costs of nuclear energy rather high. But maybe there are more advanced designs that are more efficient, reliable, secure, and long lasting.
Solar photo voltaic offers great promise, if only they could improve the efficiency (currently around 10%) and lower the cost of the panels.
Nuclear does have some things going for it - plentiful fuel, no CO2 or smog-producing emissions. But plant siting, security, and waste disposal are serious problems. As well as the occasional melt-down. Additionally, the radioactivity at the core of a nuclear plant takes its toll on unrepairable components, so eventually the plant has to be mothballed. All this drives the real costs of nuclear energy rather high. But maybe there are more advanced designs that are more efficient, reliable, secure, and long lasting.
Solar photo voltaic offers great promise, if only they could improve the efficiency (currently around 10%) and lower the cost of the panels.
toggleswitch
Well-known member
My, What a lovely glow .
Nuclear does have some things going for it.
Too bad we cant get Bush to service and maintain them, e.g. change the fuel rods. Maybe the radiation would sterilize him at the very least.
Nuclear does have some things going for it.
Too bad we cant get Bush to service and maintain them, e.g. change the fuel rods. Maybe the radiation would sterilize him at the very least.
Yikes!
The grandmother's electric is $241. And gas $31. She has been using the heating function on her window unit (Friedrich, not an el-cheapo) and a small space heater in the bedroom, instead of the open gas space heater (of which there's only one in the kitchen). Dunno how much difference it would have made the other way, witness Venus's numbers. Granny prefers temps high enough to make me uncomfortable ... she is accustomed to that open gas heater that gets hotter and hotter instead of the window unit with a thermostat -- gotta *feel* the heat. Complains about being cold when it's a perfectly fine 72°F, or even higher.
The grandmother's electric is $241. And gas $31. She has been using the heating function on her window unit (Friedrich, not an el-cheapo) and a small space heater in the bedroom, instead of the open gas space heater (of which there's only one in the kitchen). Dunno how much difference it would have made the other way, witness Venus's numbers. Granny prefers temps high enough to make me uncomfortable ... she is accustomed to that open gas heater that gets hotter and hotter instead of the window unit with a thermostat -- gotta *feel* the heat. Complains about being cold when it's a perfectly fine 72°F, or even higher.
rayjay
Well-known member
Gas Bill
We us gas for heating, hot water and clothes drying.
November $100.00
December $237.00
I did not think it was that much colder in December!
We us gas for heating, hot water and clothes drying.
November $100.00
December $237.00
I did not think it was that much colder in December!
sudsmaster
Well-known member
Nov-Dec: $62 for Gas
Yikes. My Nov-December gas bill was all of $62 (November was a warm month here, only 38 Therms used). December's bill hasn't arrive yet, although I expect it will be here in a couple of days. I just checked the meter... am on track for using about 25% less than last year, mostly due to the milder weather, but also because I've turned the thermostat down from 68 to 65, and worked through the holidays.
The good news is that this will qualify the January portion of the bill for a 20% rebate. Hopefully I'll also be able to keep the consumption down for the next couple of months to continue getting the rebate.
Yikes. My Nov-December gas bill was all of $62 (November was a warm month here, only 38 Therms used). December's bill hasn't arrive yet, although I expect it will be here in a couple of days. I just checked the meter... am on track for using about 25% less than last year, mostly due to the milder weather, but also because I've turned the thermostat down from 68 to 65, and worked through the holidays.
The good news is that this will qualify the January portion of the bill for a 20% rebate. Hopefully I'll also be able to keep the consumption down for the next couple of months to continue getting the rebate.
