I think that I might win for least energy-efficient house ever

[Chaotic42]

1050ft² house with two people.

3.1 MWH in one month. My AC unit is apparently from 1979. I moved in last month and wanted to see just how bad it was before I replaced it. I'm calling the AC people tomorrow.

Edit:

It looks like I'm going to go with a Goodman 15 SEER 2.5 ton unit. Total cost will be $4600. They were... amused... by my system.

Edit 2:

Ooh, the second company that came by bid $3600 for a similar package. Hmm.... I wonder that's up with the $1000 difference for the same thing.

Edit 3:
Oh, man. They just installed it. It's 75 in my house now with only 53% humidity. :heart:

 

[xSauronx]

what was the bill?

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: xSauronx


what was the bill?

$317.15. I was hoping for about $180.

 

[Nohr]

Woah, what was the thermostat set to?

 

[S Freud]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42

Originally posted by: xSauronx


what was the bill?

$317.15. I was hoping for about $180.

Ouch. :Q

 

[brxndxn]

LOL.. My 2100 sqft house bill was $300.17 last month - in Florida.. and I kept it ~75 degrees F.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: Nohr
Woah, what was the thermostat set to?

77

Bill calculator. I may have my stupid pants on, but I can't figure out what "Power Cost Adjustment" is. It sounds like some kind of business term for "Rectal exploration and expansion fee".

 

[zinfamous]

poor insulation? something ain't right there. maybe upgrade your windows?

 

[Brainonska511]

Definitely upgrade the A/C. Place insulation in the attic and the walls and maybe replace the windows.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
Definitely upgrade the A/C. Place insulation in the attic and the walls and maybe replace the windows.

That's what's so bad about it. The home inspector said that my insulation was fine and that the windows were pretty new and should be relatively energy-efficient. I also have special curtains that completely block the sun because it would get so hot in the house during the day.

Maybe I need some solar panels...

 

[ShOcKwAvE827]

$220 for a 2 bedroom apartment in texas. I keep it around 76, even though its probably above 80 in here.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Wow, that a/c unit must be really bad... make sure it doesn't just need cleaning or something before you go ahead and replace it.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
Wow, that a/c unit must be really bad... make sure it doesn't just need cleaning or something before you go ahead and replace it.

That would be one hell of a dust bunny if it's just dirty. I agree, get the AC guy over there to check it out.

 

[Chaotic42]

My AC unit

 

[Squisher]

The SEER of a 1979 unit will probably be 6.

Going to a modern 13 SEER unit will cut your costs by more than half.

The average lifespan of a central A/C unit is 18 years.


EDIT: btw - my electricity costs last month were $149 (1.2 mWh). This is for a 2400 sqft. house with 4 adults and two children (I think the clothes washer and dishwasher are on continuous cycle ).

3 ton A/C @ 13 SEER
I've increased insulation in the attic to R49
Installed a ridge vent
And, just last week, installed window tint (I pimped my house).

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

And my roommate complained because I left the computer on too much that our bill was around $60 ><

 

[mizzou]

wow!

Take that sucker out.

YOu will recover your losses in two months, lol.

I live in a 970sqft house with ful basement and we spend about 150-180 during summer on electricity

*edit,* we keep house at 80 degrees summer long

If you hear your AC running 24 / 7 that is real bad news for your wallet, mine is hardly on and it's from the 90's, still runnin strong *knock on wood*

 

[Christobevii3]

Mine was $280 last month with only 1280kwh...fucking natural gas based rate hit 21cKwh

 

[ConstipatedVigilante]

Are you the sump pump guy again?

 

[Xyclone]

At least a mouse didn't pop out of your AC.

 

[NatePo717]

We just had a $600 elec bill for last month....

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: Squisher
The SEER of a 1979 unit will probably be 6.

Going to a modern 13 SEER unit will cut your costs by more than half.

The average lifespan of a central A/C unit is 18 years.


EDIT: btw - my electricity costs last month were $149 (1.2 mWh). This is for a 2400 sqft. house with 4 adults and two children (I think the clothes washer and dishwasher are on continuous cycle ).

3 ton A/C @ 13 SEER
I've increased insulation in the attic to R49
Installed a ridge vent
And, just last week, installed window tint (I pimped my house).

Why would you go with a 13 SEER unit which is only the minimum legal requirement?

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: Christobevii3
Mine was $280 last month with only 1280kwh...fucking natural gas based rate hit 21cKwh

Welcome to Texas, land of abundant energy resources, yet the highest energy rates in the nation.

 

[Genx87]

When at school my house in Fargo was built in the late 1800's. We had no insulation in the walls. My senior year we didnt get above 0 degree's for over a month in the dec-jan timeframe and our gas bill was 780 bucks. I had to see it to believe it as the rent for the house was 950 lol

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf
Why would you go with a 13 SEER unit which is only the minimum legal requirement?

I didn't, the previous owners did when the house was built in 2001. I've only been in here 3 years.

At that time 13 SEER was actually the highest option and was the sweet spot for initial cost vs. energy costs later on.

I have no idea what the price today vs. energy costs gives as its payback.