My natural gas bill

[charrison]

Originally posted by: EatSpam

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: Shame
Ok, here's the deal: I own a 1575 sq. foot home in the middle of Indiana. Yeah, I know, I should move...

$58.00 = last years budget billing (been on budget for two (2) years, BTW)
$103.00 = Current bill (They increased it in July 2005). Still on budget billing of course.
$131.00 = What I have to pay from December until June 2006.

Now here what perplexes me: The letter I got today from Vectren said that natural gas prices went up between 28% and 38%. I received my degree in Criminal Justice, but when I use the math that I did learn, I come up with about a 125% increase.

I tried calling the gas company, but ended up on hold for a little more than an hour (big surprise!).

I guess my questions are:

1. Did natural gas prices go up that much to justify that kind of increase? Or did they make a mistake in their calculations?
2. Would it be cost efficient to switch to electric heat?

Yes natural gas has gone up that much. And here is why.

The clean air act basically forced power plants to run off natural gas. So for about the last 10 years most new power plants were run off natural gas. THis has driven natural gas demand way up. To make matters worse, the goverment has done everything possible to limit natural gas exploration in the US.

THis is just a bad combination.

Too bad the government doesn't promote nuclear, but then the nuclear lobby isn't nearly as powerful as big oil.

The recent energy bill had some stuff for nuclear in it. It appears a couple of power companies are seeking new nuke permits.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: Shame
Ok, here's the deal: I own a 1575 sq. foot home in the middle of Indiana. Yeah, I know, I should move...

$58.00 = last years budget billing (been on budget for two (2) years, BTW)
$103.00 = Current bill (They increased it in July 2005). Still on budget billing of course.
$131.00 = What I have to pay from December until June 2006.

Now here what perplexes me: The letter I got today from Vectren said that natural gas prices went up between 28% and 38%. I received my degree in Criminal Justice, but when I use the math that I did learn, I come up with about a 125% increase.

I tried calling the gas company, but ended up on hold for a little more than an hour (big surprise!).

I guess my questions are:

1. Did natural gas prices go up that much to justify that kind of increase? Or did they make a mistake in their calculations?
2. Would it be cost efficient to switch to electric heat?

Yes natural gas has gone up that much. And here is why.

The clean air act basically forced power plants to run off natural gas. So for about the last 10 years most new power plants were run off natural gas. THis has driven natural gas demand way up. To make matters worse, the goverment has done everything possible to limit natural gas exploration in the US.

THis is just a bad combination.

Note that while true, this is a bit misleading. The Clean Air Act did not force companies to change new plants to natural gas. It forced them to produce power in a cleaner manner. Natural gas was the option that meant the smallest investment.

 

[episodic]

You what? Unless you live in Minnesota with -60 degree weather - simply wear a sweater around the house. Get some jogging pants and some thermals a big fluffy set of slippers. I've got an electric blanket draped over my computer chair that keeps me toasty even when I see my breath inside. Hahah Straight to bed then with an electric blanket. If I need a room heated (like the bathroom during a shower) - I just use a little ceramic heater.

 

[Shawn]

No gas in FL.

 

[Squisher]

I moved into a house in July and asked to put on the budget, but they said that they would have to use the previous owners amounts. I said that was ok, but the amounts seem out of whack. Electric $58, Gas $145

I'm used to just the opposite amounts with the same type of appliances. The new house is over twice as big, but has 10 times the insulation.

 

[OrganizedChaos]

<-has oil heat.

 

[lobadobadingdong]

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: SampSon
Electric heat is not the answer by any means.

That is not correct. A heat pump is fairly effecient as long as it does not get too cold.

Here's the problem though, the energy from the natural gas turns generators (Gas heats water, steam turns turbines), this power has to travel to the homes used or not, natural gas to cool those homes is nearly as efficient as far as generating heat, however it's a lot more efficient that using electric heaters powered by electricity from NG powered power plants. So it actually uses more natural gas to heat your home using electricity than using natural gas in your home. (that's the way my uncle-in-law explained it to me, he's some big shot in some power plant near houston) The lack of exploration is killing the nations bank accounts and the move to electric heating is actually shortening our supplies of natural gas faster.

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: Shame
Ok, here's the deal: I own a 1575 sq. foot home in the middle of Indiana. Yeah, I know, I should move...

$58.00 = last years budget billing (been on budget for two (2) years, BTW)
$103.00 = Current bill (They increased it in July 2005). Still on budget billing of course.
$131.00 = What I have to pay from December until June 2006.

Now here what perplexes me: The letter I got today from Vectren said that natural gas prices went up between 28% and 38%. I received my degree in Criminal Justice, but when I use the math that I did learn, I come up with about a 125% increase.

I tried calling the gas company, but ended up on hold for a little more than an hour (big surprise!).

I guess my questions are:

1. Did natural gas prices go up that much to justify that kind of increase? Or did they make a mistake in their calculations?
2. Would it be cost efficient to switch to electric heat?

Yes natural gas has gone up that much. And here is why.

The clean air act basically forced power plants to run off natural gas. So for about the last 10 years most new power plants were run off natural gas. THis has driven natural gas demand way up. To make matters worse, the goverment has done everything possible to limit natural gas exploration in the US.

THis is just a bad combination.

Note that while true, this is a bit misleading. The Clean Air Act did not force companies to change new plants to natural gas. It forced them to produce power in a cleaner manner. Natural gas was the option that meant the smallest investment.

That is a more accurate statement. And now that natural gas is more expensive, they are switching back to coal with extensive pollution controlls.

 

[waggy]

yeap it sucks.

I have a house slightly larger then yours (2000ft) in norhtern IL

last years budget plan was $85

this years is $145! ugh

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: lobadobadingdong

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: SampSon
Electric heat is not the answer by any means.

That is not correct. A heat pump is fairly effecient as long as it does not get too cold.

Here's the problem though, the energy from the natural gas turns generators (Gas heats water, steam turns turbines), this power has to travel to the homes used or not, natural gas to cool those homes is nearly as efficient as far as generating heat, however it's a lot more efficient that using electric heaters powered by electricity from NG powered power plants. So it actually uses more natural gas to heat your home using electricity than using natural gas in your home. (that's the way my uncle-in-law explained it to me, he's some big shot in some power plant near houston) The lack of exploration is killing the nations bank accounts and the move to electric heating is actually shortening our supplies of natural gas faster.

I dont disagree with anything you stated. But considering we still get 50% of our electrity from coal, saying electric heat is never the answer is completely false.

 

[Ausm]

Originally posted by: waggy
yeap it sucks.

I have a house slightly larger then yours (2000ft) in norhtern IL

last years budget plan was $85

this years is $145! ugh

Same thing in Wisconsin



Ausm

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: Shame
$58.00 = last years budget billing (been on budget for two (2) years, BTW)
$103.00 = Current bill (They increased it in July 2005). Still on budget billing of course.
$131.00 = What I have to pay from December until June 2006.

Now here what perplexes me: The letter I got today from Vectren said that natural gas prices went up between 28% and 38%. I received my degree in Criminal Justice, but when I use the math that I did learn, I come up with about a 125% increase.

$131/$103 = 1.27

That is a 27% increase, less than the recent 28% to 38% increase numbers you are mentioning. What is there to complain about?

Scroll to bottom. Natural gas price was $15/MMBTU in Oct 2005 compared to numbers as low as $5/MMBTU in Dec 2004. Natural gas prices were double to tripple that of last year.

For me, I used 20% less gas in Oct 2005 month compared to Oct 2004. Yet my bill was 35% higher.

 

[montanafan]

Profit from it if you can. My mother let a company put some natural gas wells on a couple of properties she owns and the royalties have been very nice for the last quarter. And she gets free natural gas to heat her home.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: EatSpam

Too bad the government doesn't promote nuclear, but then the nuclear lobby isn't nearly as powerful as big oil.

it's mostly the NIMBY crowd, actually.

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: EatSpam

Too bad the government doesn't promote nuclear, but then the nuclear lobby isn't nearly as powerful as big oil.

it's mostly the NIMBY crowd, actually.

There's certainly enough blame to go around! I'm sure the trial lawyers have something to do with it too.

 

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: SampSon
Electric heat is not the answer by any means.

That is not correct. A heat pump is fairly effecient as long as it does not get too cold.

The vast majority of homes do not utilize heat pumps. Also, heat pumps usually never achieve their highest efficiency rates. When temps drop below 40degrees the efficiency drops.
Heat pumps are not a cost effective option here in the northeast.

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: SampSon

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: SampSon
Electric heat is not the answer by any means.

That is not correct. A heat pump is fairly effecient as long as it does not get too cold.

The vast majority of homes do not utilize heat pumps. Also, heat pumps usually never achieve their highest efficiency rates. When temps drop below 40degrees the efficiency drops.
Heat pumps are not a cost effective option here in the northeast.

The are not cost effective when it get excessivly cold, but they work just fine for those mild days.

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: SampSon
Electric heat is not the answer by any means.

Why not? My last apartment had those little floor board heaters and that place was plenty warm.

Edit: The apt is in central Illinois... cold...so very cold.

 

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: SampSon

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: SampSon
Electric heat is not the answer by any means.

That is not correct. A heat pump is fairly effecient as long as it does not get too cold.

The vast majority of homes do not utilize heat pumps. Also, heat pumps usually never achieve their highest efficiency rates. When temps drop below 40degrees the efficiency drops.
Heat pumps are not a cost effective option here in the northeast.

The are not cost effective when it get excessivly cold, but they work just fine for those mild days.

Thoes days are not very plentiful here up north. We go months without the temp going above 30degrees. It's better just to stick with a gas, oil or propane fired furnace.

There are areas around where I live that have extremely cheap municipal electricity. Thoes communities use only electricity, but they are getting a great deal.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
I live in So. Cal and it costs $20 for a family of 5 - gas stove and oven too.

Mine was $18. Yep socal.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
I live in So. Cal and it costs $20 for a family of 5 - gas stove and oven too.

I live in So cal too and it costs me $15/mo just for the pilot light.

nah!

 

[MrDingleDangle]

Originally posted by: jadinolf

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
I live in So. Cal and it costs $20 for a family of 5 - gas stove and oven too.

I live in So cal too and it costs me $15/mo just for the pilot light.

nah!

I'm in So Cal and my gas bill for my apartment is < $10 a month
my Water/Power bill though is off the charts...i cant figure out why it is so much sometimes

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: MrDingleDangle

Originally posted by: jadinolf

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
I live in So. Cal and it costs $20 for a family of 5 - gas stove and oven too.

I live in So cal too and it costs me $15/mo just for the pilot light.

nah!

I'm in So Cal and my gas bill for my apartment is < $10 a month
my Water/Power bill though is off the charts...i cant figure out why it is so much sometimes

Every year I use more and more electricity. I spend most of my time in my living room and the computer and TV are on while I am in the room but wow, do I use the power.

 

[huberm]

I have all electric in my home, and i live in Indiana. I have 2 electric furnaces and 2 heat pumps. I like the heat pumps really well, and so far my electric bill has only been averaging about $55/month.

Since it has started getting colder here in Indiana, the heat pump stays on pretty much all the time. If you were to stand on the register, you wouldn't feel a burst of warm air. Hell, it doesn't even really feel warm. I talked to the heating/air guy when he came to do the seasonal servicing, and he said this is typical of heat pumps, and I should see a significant savings compared to using gas furnace.

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: huberm
I have all electric in my home, and i live in Indiana. I have 2 electric furnaces and 2 heat pumps. I like the heat pumps really well, and so far my electric bill has only been averaging about $55/month.

Since it has started getting colder here in Indiana, the heat pump stays on pretty much all the time. If you were to stand on the register, you wouldn't feel a burst of warm air. Hell, it doesn't even really feel warm. I talked to the heating/air guy when he came to do the seasonal servicing, and he said this is typical of heat pumps, and I should see a significant savings compared to using gas furnace.

So how does that work? Is the electric furnace similar to a gas furnace?