If you are stressing over an increase of $35 for the power bill, then it sounds like you couldn't afford the house in the first place. Or you need to re-evaluate where you are spending your money.
Post by zombiemuse on Sept 19, 2012 10:31:15 GMT -5
Aren't you the one who also just bought your sister a $500 suit? Or am I mixing you up with someone else?
I get the increase sucks, especially after installing energy efficient light bulbs but I'm personally confused. Some of your posts make it sound like your swimming in dough ala Duck Tales and now you're cutting it close month to month? Just doesn't make sense.
To answer your question, I'd have them on a sensor that would turn them on when someone walked by.
So you bought a house, - knowing it would make you house poor, - that is larger than your previous house, but expected monthly expenses to remain the same, - and then made improvements to the house that run off utility service and still thought monthly expenses would stay the same,
and now you want to know whether you should refrain from using the improvements you just put in?
I'm really not sure what I can say at this point that would be helpful. Next time buy light fixtures that use CFL or LED bulbs that draw less power?
Post by ohgillian on Sept 19, 2012 10:36:25 GMT -5
I would point this thread out to the person recently who asked, "Why does anyone ever use an AE on this board?" and then acted as if she didn't understand that people will bring up later things you previously posted. Whoever you were: here you go.
Post by kadams767 on Sept 19, 2012 10:40:19 GMT -5
I don't understand how you thought you could leave a light on all night and have a bigger house without increasing your utility costs. And seriously, if you live in SoCal, aren't you running AC pretty frequently? $55 a month sounds like a steal.
So you bought a house, - knowing it would make you house poor, - that is larger than your previous house, but expected monthly expenses to remain the same, - and then made improvements to the house that run off utility service and still thought monthly expenses would stay the same,
and now you want to know whether you should refrain from using the improvements you just put in?
I'm really not sure what I can say at this point that would be helpful. Next time buy light fixtures that use CFL or LED bulbs that draw less power?
omg, i cannot believe how much reading comprehension failure there's been here lately! READ please!!! We did many renovations that changed old energy sucking appliances to energy star. Our bill was only $10 more in the new house prior to renovations. With all the energy star improvements, YES! we expected that our electricity would not increase that much.
How many bills did you have that were $30? Are you sure those are exact readings and not estimates? What about AC costs?
I don't understand how you thought you could leave a light on all night and have a bigger house without increasing your utility costs. And seriously, if you live in SoCal, aren't you running AC pretty frequently? $55 a month sounds like a steal.
This is a very strange post. I don't think electricity is any cheaper in SoCal than elsewhere. And why make improvements if you can't afford to use them.
Post by ohgillian on Sept 19, 2012 10:43:06 GMT -5
I'll answer your original question: I would set all the outdoor lights to only come on if someone walks by; I wouldn't have any of them on dusk-to-dawn mode. I just don't see the point of that.
I don't understand how you thought you could leave a light on all night and have a bigger house without increasing your utility costs. And seriously, if you live in SoCal, aren't you running AC pretty frequently? $55 a month sounds like a steal.
This is a very strange post. I don't think electricity is any cheaper in SoCal than elsewhere. And why make improvements if you can't afford to use them.
Post by cahabalily on Sept 19, 2012 10:48:24 GMT -5
Wait - you take showers by moonlight or sunlight?
You shower without lights on? That's insane. What do you think is powering your water heater? Even if it's a gas water heater, the ignition switch is still electric.
I would KILL for a $55 electric bill. I've never had one under $100. Do you work by candlelight normally or something?
HAHA!!! no, but we are very good about shutting everything off. Sometimes I even like to take showers by moonlight or sunlight.
I'm very curious though to see what other so cal peeps pay. Because I've lived in about 5 places here and our bill has never been over $50 and 75% of the time it's been under $30. We are So Cal Edison.
Just going to leave this here so it doesn't go *poof*
How many bills did you have that were $30? Are you sure those are exact readings and not estimates? What about AC costs?
I'm wondering if might have something to do with estimate/exact readings as well.
This happened to us before where it went from $30 to $70 in one month. It sucked, but they over estimated and then credited the overage on the next bill.
You shower without lights on? That's insane. What do you think is powering your water heater? Even if it's a gas water heater, the ignition switch is still electric.
This just makes no sense whatsoever.
I agree that there's something off about worrying over $35/month, but I don't see a problem with showering without the lights on, especially when it's daylight outside. Our bathroom is plenty bright w/o lights.
HAHA!!! no, but we are very good about shutting everything off. Sometimes I even like to take showers by moonlight or sunlight.
I'm very curious though to see what other so cal peeps pay. Because I've lived in about 5 places here and our bill has never been over $50 and 75% of the time it's been under $30. We are So Cal Edison.
Just going to leave this here so it doesn't go *poof*
I don't see what the big deal is about this. I don't always turn the lights on when I shower. If your bathroom has windows, natural lighting is enough. I find it to be more relaxing with the lights off.