Electricity Usage Calculators?

[lunamama]

Anyone know of a really good one? I am trying to figure out where I am using most of our electricity in the house.

[TearyCloud]

No idea, but subbing. Right after xmas, NPR had a segment on a company in CA which calculates your electricity usage in comparison to your neighbors' usage. The idea was that people are innately competitive and will want to use less than their neighbors. I believe that it greatly reduced usage in the areas where it was tested. I can't remember the name of the website, though!

[SleeplessMommy]

You need a kill-a-watt or similar device. Then you can directy measure the electric usage. Start with the fridge, especially if it is older.

You can also check your electric bill, comparing summer vs. winter ... to see how much the AC is running.

[Ironica]

Here's a link for the Kill-A-Watt:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/travelpower/7657/

There's also the Kill-A-Watt EZ, where you can input your cost per kWH and it will automatically translate the data into cost for you.

This won't help for overhead lighting and other hardwired items, but that's probably not the easiest stuff to change (except by switching out for CFL bulbs and stuff).

[TearyCloud]

I googled and thought this was kinda cool: http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/howmuch.html

This is much more detailed: http://www.consumerspower.org/home_e...lestimator.php

[fruitful womb]

Originally Posted by TearyCloud

I googled and thought this was kinda cool: http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/howmuch.html

This is much more detailed: http://www.consumerspower.org/home_e...lestimator.php

I REALLY NEED THIS THREAD!

Was going to start one myself if not already here.

My electric bill this month $787.55 . I just recieved this news and I cried. I'm still crying! THERE IS NO WAY IT COULD BE THAT MUCH!!!

Just today it was 40 degrees outside and we didn't have the heater on. Instead, we're layering our clothes on.

Last month was WORSE, 1000.00!!! This is what prompted me to be so damn paranoid. We had to go to two different food banks trying to recover from this enormous bill.

My dh emailed me this which is similar to Ironica's link only the price in her link is more competitive.

TearyCloud, thank you for posting those links. I've found them to be especially helpful!

I'm so depressed right now.

I think our electric company is cheeting us!!! All summer we had the AC on and it never went higher than $500.

We expected this bill to be next to nothing since I'm freakishly paranoid about the lights being on and the heater stays off.

We think the meter reader is just guessing and not taking an accurate reading. We're going to get a new meter. The current one cound be broken.

lunamama, thank you for this thread.

I hope you never have to deal what we're going through.

[TearyCloud]

Originally Posted by fruitful womb

I REALLY NEED THIS THREAD!

Was going to start one myself if not already here.

My electric bill this month $787.55 . I just recieved this news and I cried. I'm still crying! THERE IS NO WAY IT COULD BE THAT MUCH!!!

Just today it was 40 degrees outside and we didn't have the heater on. Instead, we're layering our clothes on.

Last month was WORSE, 1000.00!!! This is what prompted me to be so damn paranoid. We had to go to two different food banks trying to recover from this enormous bill.

My dh emailed me this which is similar to Ironica's link only the price in her link is more competitive.

TearyCloud, thank you for posting those links. I've found them to be especially helpful!

I'm so depressed right now.

I think our electric company is cheeting us!!! All summer we had the AC on and it never went higher than $500.

We expected this bill to be next to nothing since I'm freakishly paranoid about the lights being on and the heater stays off.

We think the meter reader is just guessing and not taking an accurate reading. We're going to get a new meter. The current one cound be broken.

lunamama, thank you for this thread.

I hope you never have to deal what we're going through.

How in the world??? I can't fathom! There is no way that is possible, right? My electric bill is $83 this month. Granted, that is just for me and ds, but HOLY COW your bill can't be right. Is there assistance where you are? I have seen commercials on TV about getting financial help from the electric company... Is that a possibility for you? Or go in and make them tell you how you got a bill like that.

[fruitful womb]

Originally Posted by TearyCloud

How in the world??? I can't fathom! There is no way that is possible, right? My electric bill is $83 this month. Granted, that is just for me and ds, but HOLY COW your bill can't be right. Is there assistance where you are? I have seen commercials on TV about getting financial help from the electric company... Is that a possibility for you? Or go in and make them tell you how you got a bill like that.

If there is such a thing I'll be all over it!!! Where could I, How, what???

This stress is zapping me mental. It is unbelievable that we have bills this high. And you know what? We can't play the default game. We had our empolyer take our fixed bills like payment for this house and bankruptcy (I'm so ashamed about the bankruptcy). We set up the house payment this way so we're sure not to ever see it and never miss a payment. Its hard not to feel like I'm being scammed. I thought the same as you do, THERE IS NO WAY IT COULD BE THAT HIGH!!!

It has to be broken or some problem.

Who can I call? What can I do??? I'm so desparate. Especially after watching heroes tonight, all those food commercials. THATS TORTURE For a pregnant mama!

[Ironica]

First of all... were you in the same home last year? Can you compare your same-year usage?

Is your heating electric, or gas? How about your hot water?

Is this a standalone home, or a unit in a multi-family dwelling (like a condo)?

I remember years ago reading, I think in Reader's Digest, a story about a guy with a really obscene electric bill like that. He got no love from the electric company when he tried to complain that it couldn't POSSIBLY be right. So, he went to his fuse box (I told you this was a really old story ;-) and started unscrewing the fuses one by one. First one, the lights in the living room went out. Next one, the kitchen. Next one, the bedroom. Next one, the corridor outside his unit. Next one, the streetlights on his whole block! *Then* he got their attention.

Definitely contact the electric company to check your meter and see if it's broken. If it's working properly, check for shorts in the wiring next, I guess. But yeah... I really can't fathom how a house could use THAT much electricity!

Oh, and is your power provided by a municipal provider or a private one? That may make a difference in how you approach them... both will be regulated by the same authority, but the hiring process and organizational chart will be different, so it's useful to know as you work your way up the chain.

[fruitful womb]

[QUOTE]

Originally Posted by Ironica

First of all... were you in the same home last year? Can you compare your same-year usage?

We moved in last year in May.

Is your heating electric, or gas? How about your hot water?

Its electric and we have a timer for the water heater. In order for it to heat water we have to turn on a switch. Its electric as well.

Is this a standalone home, or a unit in a multi-family dwelling (like a condo)?

Its a single family home. Its actually a big house, 3300 square ft. Texas summers can be sqortching hot so we had the AC on a lot of the times, more so than we do for heat.

I remember years ago reading, I think in Reader's Digest, a story about a guy with a really obscene electric bill like that. He got no love from the electric company when he tried to complain that it couldn't POSSIBLY be right. So, he went to his fuse box (I told you this was a really old story ;-) and started unscrewing the fuses one by one. First one, the lights in the living room went out. Next one, the kitchen. Next one, the bedroom. Next one, the corridor outside his unit. Next one, the streetlights on his whole block! *Then* he got their attention.

I've been seriously thinking about turning off the breakers during the day to see if that does anything. The guy in the story rocks!

Definitely contact the electric company to check your meter and see if it's broken. If it's working properly, check for shorts in the wiring next, I guess. But yeah... I really can't fathom how a house could use THAT much electricity!

This is complicated, I'll tell you why. Since we're in bankruptcy we have to pay an ungodly amount to put the bills in our name. We haven't had the money to do that yet. We're currently renting this house from a family friend whom I've known since a child. They're just as freaked out as we are. The electric company will not speak to us, only them since its still in their name. Right now they are trying to do things to minimize energy usage for this house in hopes to improve our utility bills. Its a very slow project as they're waiting on permits to finish the job. The fireplace has been torn off the house. Its what they want. They're plan is to relocate a window. Seal off the one on the west side (where the sun sets in) and move it to where the fireplace use to be. Its their house I have no say in it. But there is only a thin piece of board covering the side of the house. Its the main sorce of cold air coming into the house and its WAY WORSE than before. I just really wish they would finish that or that they didn't do anything at all. I miss that fireplace. There is a huge gap on the bottom of the house where the board is suppose to be covering the severed fireplace. One of my cats will crawl in the house that way. He hates being outside.
This is a big reason I can't have the heater on, even if I wanted to. It will eat this house alive if I did because of our big hole in the house.

Oh, and is your power provided by a municipal provider or a private one? That may make a difference in how you approach them... both will be regulated by the same authority, but the hiring process and organizational chart will be different, so it's useful to know as you work your way up the chain.

Its from 'Reliant Energy'. I think thats a spin off from TXU. Not sure.

[SleeplessMommy]

Three things to check:

1) The hole in the side of the house, with the drywall and vapor barrier and insulation missing, is easily the source of the thousand dollar electric bill. All those holes add up, and it is like you have a window open all the time, or maybe a door. Insulation and drywall are there in a house for a reason! ::: You can get a can of spray foam and possibly plug the gaps for about $10 - but you will still be missing insulation from the wall. Plywood covering an opening is probably a code violation if it goes on too long - the owners "need to" fix it.

2) The house probably has a forced air heating system with a heat pump. It is possible for some of the refrigerant to leak out. The system will still operate but it will be much less efficient for heating an cooling. You can have a service person out to check (and refill if needed) for only $100 or so - may be worth doing. Look at the last 12 months electric usage.

My psychic intuition says that the heating ducts are run through the attic space, where the forced air blower unit may be located. I am seeing a "vision" of a disconnected heating duct, maybe more then one, which is heating the attic space instead of the house. You can ask a service person to check for disconnected supply or return ducts. These should be very easy for the HVAC person to fix.

3) Check the fridge with your kill-a-watt. A fridge problem could cost $100-200 in electric usage per month.

[fruitful womb]

Originally Posted by SleeplessMommy

[COLOR="navy"]This is complicated, I'll tell you why. Since we're in bankruptcy we have to pay an ungodly amount to put the bills in our name. We haven't had the money to do that yet. We're currently renting this house from a family friend whom I've known since a child.

Three things to check:

1) The hole in the side of the house, with the drywall and vapor barrier and insulation missing, is easily the source of the thousand dollar electric bill. All those holes add up, and it is like you have a window open all the time, or maybe a door. Insulation and drywall are there in a house for a reason! ::: You can get a can of spray foam and possibly plug the gaps for about $10 - but you will still be missing insulation from the wall. Plywood covering an opening is probably a code violation if it goes on too long - the owners "need to" fix it.

2) The house probably has a forced air heating system with a heat pump. It is possible for some of the refrigerant to leak out. The system will still operate but it will be much less efficient for heating an cooling. You can have a service person out to check (and refill if needed) for only $100 or so - may be worth doing. Look at the last 12 months electric usage.

My psychic intuition says that the heating ducts are run through the attic space, where the forced air blower unit may be located. I am seeing a "vision" of a disconnected heating duct, maybe more then one, which is heating the attic space instead of the house. You can ask a service person to check for disconnected supply or return ducts. These should be very easy for the HVAC person to fix.

Oh wow! You're good. If I get a chance today I want to take a picture of the ceiling in the front hallway. It will freak you out. We were encourage not to fix it because the owner is going to add on that front way. It will be torn down anyways but she has been talking about this for some time now, couple of yrs. We found someone who can redo (cosmetically - its really really bad) the ceiling where the air vent is for $200.

3) Check the fridge with your kill-a-watt. A fridge problem could cost $100-200 in electric usage per month.

[/QUOTE]


We have an energy star refridgerator that has an alarm on it if its open for too long. The alarm is great for when kids like to sneak food out of the fridge. We're still going to buy that watt gadget to measure just how much voltage is being used.

I'll address the rest later. Gotta run. Have to pick up ds1 from geography class. Thanks so much for responding to my concerns.

[SleeplessMommy]

Here is a link with pictures of some possible duct problems, and fixing advice:

http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/...nup/ducts.html

[Code Name Mama]

[QUOTE=fruitful womb;13203374]

We moved in last year in May.

It doesn't matter whether you or someone else lived there. You should be able to call the electric/gas/water/whatever company and say "we are thinking about buying the house on 123 Main Street, but we want to get an idea of the monthly bills. Can I get the high month, low month, and average for the past year?"

I hope you get this straightened out soon!