Is this a normal electric bill? (new house, heat pump, live) - Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary - North Carolina (NC) -The Triangle Area - City-Data Forum

jesslikeska · 09-13-2007, 07:57 PM

OK... I've never had central air before OR a house of my own, so please forgive me for a stupid question. I've been in my new house for 3 months now. I live alone because the hubby has been in Iraq for 13 months... The first full month I was here my electric bill was about $90, next month it was around $140, and this month it was almost $200. I am shocked. I live alone and don't do a whole lot except watching tv and listening to the radio. The house is 1900 sq. feet and has 2 central air units--one upstairs, and one downstairs. I have no idea what I should be keeping these on, and if both should be set at the same temp. Up until now they were both set at 78 and the fan was set to auto, and I never really adjusted the temp because it kept me comfortable. I was so freaked out by this bill that I shut them both off tonight, but I know it's not feasible to keep them off because I will sweat to death. Any advice? Should I keep one temp higher than the other... is there a science behind this? I don't spend much time upstairs, and for the first month I was here I didn't even turn the upstairs air on, but a friend from Florida said since my house was so open with cathedral ceilings that I'd be better off using both. Is this a normal bill considering how hot it has been? I can't really shut the air off when I go out since I have 2 dogs that would get too hot. Sorry for rambling...

coltank · 09-13-2007, 08:03 PM

We have a 1700 square foot home and our last bill was about 260. Our hot water is gas so this is not in the bill. I don't think it sounds to high. We keep our ac set at 72.

MikeJaquish · 09-13-2007, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesslikeska

OK... I've never had central air before OR a house of my own, so please forgive me for a stupid question. I've been in my new house for 3 months now. I live alone because the hubby has been in Iraq for 13 months... The first full month I was here my electric bill was about $90, next month it was around $140, and this month it was almost $200. I am shocked. I live alone and don't do a whole lot except watching tv and listening to the radio. The house is 1900 sq. feet and has 2 central air units--one upstairs, and one downstairs. I have no idea what I should be keeping these on, and if both should be set at the same temp. Up until now they were both set at 78 and the fan was set to auto, and I never really adjusted the temp because it kept me comfortable. I was so freaked out by this bill that I shut them both off tonight, but I know it's not feasible to keep them off because I will sweat to death. Any advice? Should I keep one temp higher than the other... is there a science behind this? I don't spend much time upstairs, and for the first month I was here I didn't even turn the upstairs air on, but a friend from Florida said since my house was so open with cathedral ceilings that I'd be better off using both. Is this a normal bill considering how hot it has been? I can't really shut the air off when I go out since I have 2 dogs that would get too hot. Sorry for rambling...

If you have an open cathedral ceiling, it is likely that your upstairs unit will do most of the cooling, since convection will take the warmer air up to the second level return grille.
Set your upstairs unit at the temperature you want and the downstairs unit a degree warmer. If the return grille is in an open area, close the bedroom doors in rooms you are not using and make that unit take the air off the top of the high ceiling.
If that open ceiling has a ceiling fan, run it all the time to mix the air.

Have you changed your filters for both units?
With the amount of run time this summer, and having dogs in the house, they well may be filled with dust and hair. That makes the unit work a little harder to cool you. "Work a little harder" is code for "Higher bill."
If you don't know how to change filters... I would be glad to show you what they are and how to do it.

And really, for a 1900 SF home with open ceiling, your bill doesn't sound all that high. Sad to say.
But maybe your units could run more efficiently and save a couple of bucks for you.

jesslikeska · 09-13-2007, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coltank

We have a 1700 square foot home and our last bill was about 260. Our hot water is gas so this is not in the bill. I don't think it sounds to high. We keep our ac set at 72.

Thank you for responding. I can now relate with my dad who always went around turning off all of the lights in the house regardless of whether or not you were sitting in the room reading, doing homework, playing a game, etc... haha. In fact, I'm sitting here in the dark as we speak.

jesslikeska · 09-13-2007, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeJaquish

If you have an open cathedral ceiling, it is likely that your upstairs unit will do most of the cooling, since convection will take the warmer air up to the second level return grille.
Set your upstairs unit at the temperature you want and the downstairs unit a degree warmer. If the return grille is in an open area, close the bedroom doors in rooms you are not using and make that unit take the air off the top of the high ceiling.
If that open ceiling has a ceiling fan, run it all the time to mix the air.

Have you changed your filters for both units?
With the amount of run time this summer, and having dogs in the house, they well may be filled with dust and hair. That makes the unit work a little harder to cool you. "Work a little harder" is code for "Higher bill."
If you don't know how to change filters... I would be glad to show you what they are and how to do it.

And really, for a 1900 SF home with open ceiling, your bill doesn't sound all that high. Sad to say.
But maybe your units could run more efficiently and save a couple of bucks for you.

Thanks for the advice. I changed the filters when I first got here, but not since, and my pup has a tendency to lay right on top of the vents, so they may very well be ready for another change. I already keep all room doors closed since I have a very open floor plan. The previous owners said something about having the air conditioners services at the beginning of each summer. Is this something everyone does? Would I know if they needed to be serviced, and is it pointless in September to even worry about it?

jln69 · 09-13-2007, 08:24 PM

I have to agree that amount does not sound all that unreasonable for an electric bill to me either. I applaud your husband for what he is doing for our country. It must be very difficult for you. I wish you all the best and good luck.

lamishra · 09-13-2007, 08:25 PM

It sounds about right. My house is smaller, 1600 sq feet, no cathedral ceilings and a family of four. Ours is around $200.00 for peak months (which last month was DEFINITELY a peak month with the heat wave).
Later in the year it's much lower.

jesslikeska · 09-13-2007, 08:29 PM

So you guys are saying that I don't need to hire a Private Investigator to spy on my dogs while I'm out to make sure they're not throwing wild parties?

MikeJaquish · 09-13-2007, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesslikeska

Thanks for the advice. I changed the filters when I first got here, but not since, and my pup has a tendency to lay right on top of the vents, so they may very well be ready for another change. I already keep all room doors closed since I have a very open floor plan. The previous owners said something about having the air conditioners services at the beginning of each summer. Is this something everyone does? Would I know if they needed to be serviced, and is it pointless in September to even worry about it?

If the house is more than about 7 or 8 years old, I would definitely suggest having them looked at.
Do you have gas furnaces or heat pumps?
Again, if the furnaces are more than 7 or 8 years old, I would suggest having an HVAC guy inspect the heat exchangers for rust or corrosion.
If you have perforation in the heat exchangers of a gas furnace, this may let carbon monoxide into the home during heating season.
Not really an issue if it is a heat pump and not gas heat.

And that perforation can cost you precious money, as conditioned air, heated or cooled, is pumped out the furnace flue.

HollyMarshall · 09-13-2007, 08:46 PM

Oh, this is the WORST electric bill of the year! After this one, it'll start going down and you can put your heart back in your chest. Actually the winter bills are kinda nice because the weather is usually moderate here. I keep the A/C on 75 and don't touch it. I consider part of my August bill a medical expense, because if I had to broil all month to keep the $$ down, I'd hurt someone.

I'd say keep the doggies happy and leave the a/c...a few more weeks and we'll all be able to open the windows again!!