Power Bill sinking hooks in me b/c of Tier thresholds of use

[EagleKeeper]

How well is the house insulated, ventilated and shaded.

That will have an impact.

Window types and reflective coating/blinds.
Ceiling fans can offset the temp by 10 degrees

 

[olds]

I thought this thread was about a powerful person named Bill.

 

[Imp]

What you need to do is an energy audit. Sounds like your water heater and A/C are the main culprits. Here are some tables and data you can use:

http://www.eia.gov/consumption/residential/

Solar panels and wind mills are expensive... and they only work when there's sun and wind unless you have batteries that need pretty regular maintenance -- they all need it unlike the wire or two connecting you to the grid. And because they don't produce that much, even off-grid properties focus on conservation mainly.

 

[rcpratt]

I'm paying approximately half the rate you're paying. Tiering is markedly different too. My AC is on a separate meter and from June through October I get a lower rate. I get that because the electric company can curtail power to it during times of high usage.

Copy and paste from a PDF so the formatting is not ideal.

DTE Electric Company Residential Electric Service
​

Your bill is low because I slave every day to reduce generation costs.

Sounds like the OP is getting screwed by rates, but I'm not surprised considering it's Call.​

 

[Brainonska511]

You could also turn your ac off when you're not home.

 

[KentState]

Just looked and we used 1521 last month which was only $180 after taxes and other BS. That price you pay is nearly 3x what we have.

 

[boomhower]

Damn your rates are high. Used 1621 last month and the bill was $187 after fees, taxes, etc.

 

[TallBill]

Shrug, you guys pay my electricity bills.

 

[Red Squirrel]

now that's a waste of money and fossil fuels.

Fossil fuel? I guess some oil is needed for the giant bearings in the hydro turbines but that's about it. I only leave it on if I'm actually home though as it helps keep the house cool. Also nice if I'm doing physical work to just go walk into my office when it's full blast cold in there.

I eventually want to get central air though, probably more efficient.

 

[Zodiark1593]

From my understanding average power use for homes is dependent on season and location, but 800-1000kwh is rough estimate of what's normal. 600kwh for a month if you really cut back and watch use. Average charge per kwh is $0.10

I'm in southern california. Trying to get an equilibrium on my charge structure from So Cal Edison. Home is all electric, no gas. Considering solar after literally sweating in the home through the last months, AC set to 83, to avoid high power bills, but being hit with 300-400 bills regardless.

My current Tier structure.
Tier 1 0-275kwh $0.12
Tier 2 275-360kwh $0.16
Tier 3 360-550kwh $0.27
Tier 4 555kwh+ $0.31

To me this looks absurd. 275kwh isn't enough to run a typical refrigerator/freezer for a month and teir 2 is so short it really looks like a quick placeholder to ~$0.30kwh rates for everything in the home.

I think solar is the best way to go to avoid growing bills as Edison continues to "adjust" the Tier structure in a punitive manner lower and increase prices per kWh.

If ya follow your kwh used, anyone able to get under 600kwh for a home, all electric, no pool?

Good god, even here in Placerville, CA, we pay $0.13 per kilowatt until we hit about a thousand kilowatts. We hit about 1400 Kilowatts on our last bill, costing about $200 (2nd and 3rd tier are $0.15, and $0.30 respectively). Compared to most other states, it's still sky high, but compared to your rates, it's still within mortal realms.

 

[boomerang]

Your bill is low because I slave every day to reduce generation costs.

Well thank you! My wife's BIL works for DTE also.

 

[TallBill]

I thought this thread was about a powerful person named Bill.

Sup?

 

[grohl]

I pay flat 8.2 cents. Texas. And I use a shitload more electricity.