[kittyranger]

how much highest summer electric cost would be on a 1000 sqf townhome with the new increases?

[Everdeen]

That depends on a lot of factors. How cold do you keep it, how old your air conditioner is, if there is shade, etc.

I live in a 2200 square foot house and we keep our air at 78 degrees. We average about $350 per month in the hottest months. They just approved a 10% increase so, if you have been living in the unit you could just add the 10%. If you have not been living in the unit, I think you can call NV Energy and ask them about the address's summer electric bills (but I'm not sure about that).

[timothyaw]

Originally Posted by Everdeen

I think you can call NV Energy and ask them about the address's summer electric bills (but I'm not sure about that).

That is how it works, if you ask they'll give you whatever months you ask for.

[ScoopLV]

Originally Posted by timothyaw

That is how it works, if you ask they'll give you whatever months you ask for.

Ooooh, this sounds like a fun way to check out what our public figures spend on utilities!

Let's see, we know Wayne Newton's address, the Greenspuns, Mike Tyson's, Dr. Desai, etc. [/sarcasm]

That program sounds like an invasion of privacy to me. Unless NV energy only releases data on houses where the power is disconnected, of course.

[Everdeen]

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

Ooooh, this sounds like a fun way to check out what our public figures spend on utilities!

I like that idea! Especially the ones who claim to be 'carbon neutral'.

[PinkString]

kittyranger, according to the news last night, they said the "average" household would see a $5 a month increase. We are not average, so hopefully ours will be around $1.

[tiger08]

Originally Posted by Everdeen

That depends on a lot of factors. How cold do you keep it, how old your air conditioner is, if there is shade, etc.

I live in a 2200 square foot house and we keep our air at 78 degrees. We average about $350 per month in the hottest months. They just approved a 10% increase so, if you have been living in the unit you could just add the 10%. If you have not been living in the unit, I think you can call NV Energy and ask them about the address's summer electric bills (but I'm not sure about that).

Thats a pretty high bill considering your running the air at 78!

Just to show people an example on why it so critical to have a good running a/c unit and good ductwork.
I installed a used 7 year old unit in a friends house around the corner, I also discovered that his house and the rest of the tract was ducted very poorly from the unit down to the distribution ducts and had a restrictive return air setup.
I upsized his return and also upsized the supply from the unit and installed a large new elbow on the roof.
He ran the air at 68 degrees day and night all summer long, he has a pool pump that ran 10 hours a day, they have no shade on their house and no solar screens.
Their biggest power bill was 400 bucks. 1900 sq ft house with a 4 ton unit, pretty cheap considering the house felt like a meat locker!
My point is, have a proffessional check your unit and all your ductwork.

[yellowsnow]

You can make a huge difference in this amount when you are shopping for condos. Look for a single story home on the bottom floor, or at least one with the sleeping areas on the bottom floor. Northern exposure is the best. South and West is the worst. Look for mature trees, shade is a great money saver.

How well insulated is the unit and is it constructed in a way that lets you add more? Are the windows low-e and at least double pane? Are the doors substantial and insulated? Invest in serious window coverings that block out as much light and heat as possible. Ceiling fans may not be popular with interior designers but they make sense here.

Insulate your garage and your garage door. If you have living space above the garage, you can't insulate that garage ceiling enough!

The amount you spend will depend a lot on how much discomfort you are willing to put up with.

[Everdeen]

Originally Posted by tiger08

Thats a pretty high bill considering your running the air at 78!

True dat. It has been as high a $500.

Just to show people an example on why it so critical to have a good running a/c unit and good ductwork.
I installed a used 7 year old unit in a friends house around the corner, I also discovered that his house and the rest of the tract was ducted very poorly from the unit down to the distribution ducts and had a restrictive return air setup.
I upsized his return and also upsized the supply from the unit and installed a large new elbow on the roof.
He ran the air at 68 degrees day and night all summer long, he has a pool pump that ran 10 hours a day, they have no shade on their house and no solar screens.
Their biggest power bill was 400 bucks. 1900 sq ft house with a 4 ton unit, pretty cheap considering the house felt like a meat locker!
My point is, have a proffessional check your unit and all your ductwork.

I don't think the builder did a good job, although, not actionable. Every person in our development with our style house has the same issue. We even have the upgraded windows, solar screens, and whatever it is they put on the underside of the roof. I think our air conditioner is 10 seer (I think) which was an up grade.

[demoknite]

Originally Posted by Everdeen

True dat. It has been as high a $500.



...and whatever it is they put on the underside of the roof.

radiant barriers?