Ouch!!!

[DianaB]

Originally Posted by Janet

.........I was also told...don't know how true it is...but that changing the thermostat settings is what makes most bill go up. I guess the reasoning is, once it's at a certain temp..it doesn't take much to stay there, but if say you turn the air up while you're gone...then it has to work harder longer to get cool again...same way with the heat. So we pretty much leave ours the same all the time.

We have a programable thermostat in our home and I think that once you have the humidity out of the house it's not too expensive to change the temperature. If I understand correctly, it's more expensive if you turn your cental air off and on a lot because of all the work of getting the humidity out. That's why we didn't put in an attic fan.

In the summer our airconditioner doesn't change too much. For some reason it's a little warmer in here in the morning so it's set at 77* and changes to 78* at noon. We're finding that we're more comfortable with it like that. We also sleep with the ceiling fan on low with a sheet and light blanket.

In the winter it changes quite a bit because at night it goes down a lot cooler for sleeping and warms back up right before we get up in the morning.

I would highly recommend a programable thermostat for everyone. I think that it does save on utilities. I think that we paid about $40 for ours.

As for having the temperatures in the 60's or lower I'm just not comfortable with anything below about 73-74*. My nose gets cold and I just shiver. I know that it's because of my thryoid. I'd absolutely die at 52*!!!!!! Or be dressed like an Eskimo!!!!

[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!!!

[HALEY]

Try living in Pa, talk about crazy, the change of seasons, somedays we run the a/c during the day and the heat at night!! Never get a break from the gas or electric companies....

[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.....