Home Energy Costs

Cloud · 03-17-2010, 07:34 PM

I was reading that the average American home energy costs is about $300 per month or $3,477.

http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/...-energy-costs/

Referring to electricity and gas (not phone or water, etc.) This is about half what I pay, and I wondered if this sounded right to you? Mine varies from about $65 (spring and fall) to $120 (winter and summer). I realize I live in a small apartment/townhome (800 SF; all electric) so an entire house would run more.

classicman · 03-17-2010, 07:54 PM

I'm in a similar situation, mine averages about $150 a month.

Clodfobble · 03-17-2010, 10:59 PM

In the winter, our electric bill is about $150. In the summer, it can get over $400. (Gas is negligible in all seasons because almost everything is electric.)

Undertoad · 03-17-2010, 11:13 PM

$300 summer/winter $200 spring/fall (heat pump)

Gravdigr · 03-18-2010, 01:27 AM

Gas (heat only) in winter around $50, no gas in summer. Electricity $25-$35 in winter, right around $50 in hottest months. Just about 1000 very well insulated sq. ft.

skysidhe · 03-18-2010, 05:21 AM

150-300 for both

Griff · 03-18-2010, 05:40 AM

Electric - $75 per month $100 in Jan/Feb. Wood heat for the year would cost $250 if I paid cash for it.

Beest · 03-18-2010, 08:29 AM

Our heat and hot water are gas, we have our utilities averaged out over the year, so it's regularly ~$260 every month. I understood home energy cost is high in Michigan since we heat in Winter and cool in Summer.

Pie · 03-18-2010, 08:53 AM

During the snowpocalypse, we were on emergency heat so our bill was $500. It's more normally $300 or so, summer and winter, less in the spring and fall. Heat pumps aren't great when you get outlier weather like we did this year.

We're having a home energy audit done in the next few weeks to see if there's something that needs fixed.

Cloud · 03-18-2010, 09:08 AM

what's a "heat pump"?

Pie · 03-18-2010, 09:28 AM

Heat Pump

An air-sourced heat pump is basically an air conditioner that can be run in reverse in the winter (taking heat from the great outdoors and bringing warmth to your home). As with air conditioners, they have a problem spanning too much of a temperature differential -- the carnot efficiency drops as the delta goes up.

Geothermal heatpumps don't have that problem (since the underground temps are more stable) but cost a lot more to put in, and aren't always practical, as they require long ground loops trenches to be dug into your yard. The payback timeline is 3-5 years.

HungLikeJesus · 04-15-2010, 06:05 PM

For the last 12 months, our electric bill was $506 (for an average of about $42/month) and our gas bill was $712 (for an average of about $59/month). Our house is about 3,000 square feet. We live at an elevation of about 7,000 feet, so it tends to be winter most of the year.

We do not have AC.

TheMercenary · 04-15-2010, 06:39 PM

Our electric bill is between $200 and $300 a month....

House just under 3k. All electric.

We live about 9 feet above sea level.

HungLikeJesus · 04-15-2010, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

...
We live about 9 feet above sea level.

Ah, so that's why you're so concerned about climate change.

TheMercenary · 04-15-2010, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HungLikeJesus

Ah, so that's why you're so concerned about climate change.

I try to do my part and build a big ass fire in my outdoor fireplace every chance I get.

03-17-2010, 07:34 PM	#1
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	Home Energy Costs I was reading that the average American home energy costs is about $300 per month or $3,477. http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/...-energy-costs/ Referring to electricity and gas (not phone or water, etc.) This is about half what I pay, and I wondered if this sounded right to you? Mine varies from about $65 (spring and fall) to $120 (winter and summer). I realize I live in a small apartment/townhome (800 SF; all electric) so an entire house would run more. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

03-17-2010, 07:54 PM	#2
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	I'm in a similar situation, mine averages about $150 a month. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

03-17-2010, 10:59 PM	#3
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	In the winter, our electric bill is about $150. In the summer, it can get over $400. (Gas is negligible in all seasons because almost everything is electric.) __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

03-18-2010, 01:27 AM	#5
Gravdigr The Un-Tuckian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Central...KY that is Posts: 39,517	Gas (heat only) in winter around $50, no gas in summer. Electricity $25-$35 in winter, right around $50 in hottest months. Just about 1000 very well insulated sq. ft. __________________ These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, EPA, FBI, DEA, CDC, or FDIC. These statements are not intended to diagnose, cause, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you feel you have been harmed/offended by, or, disagree with any of the above statements or images, please feel free to fuck right off.

03-18-2010, 05:40 AM	#7
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	Electric - $75 per month $100 in Jan/Feb. Wood heat for the year would cost $250 if I paid cash for it. __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

03-17-2010, 11:13 PM	#4
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	$300 summer/winter $200 spring/fall (heat pump)

03-18-2010, 05:21 AM	#6
skysidhe ~~Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.~~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 6,828	150-300 for both

03-18-2010, 08:29 AM	#8
Beest Adapt and Survive Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ann Arbor, Mi Posts: 957	Our heat and hot water are gas, we have our utilities averaged out over the year, so it's regularly ~$260 every month. I understood home energy cost is high in Michigan since we heat in Winter and cool in Summer.

03-18-2010, 08:53 AM	#9
Pie Gone and done Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 4,808	During the snowpocalypse, we were on emergency heat so our bill was $500. It's more normally $300 or so, summer and winter, less in the spring and fall. Heat pumps aren't great when you get outlier weather like we did this year. We're having a home energy audit done in the next few weeks to see if there's something that needs fixed. __________________ per·son \ˈpər-sən\ (noun) - an ephemeral collection of small, irrational decisions The fun thing about evolution (and science in general) is that it happens whether you believe in it or not.

03-18-2010, 09:08 AM	#10
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	what's a "heat pump"? __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

03-18-2010, 09:28 AM	#11
Pie Gone and done Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 4,808	Heat Pump An air-sourced heat pump is basically an air conditioner that can be run in reverse in the winter (taking heat from the great outdoors and bringing warmth to your home). As with air conditioners, they have a problem spanning too much of a temperature differential -- the carnot efficiency drops as the delta goes up. Geothermal heatpumps don't have that problem (since the underground temps are more stable) but cost a lot more to put in, and aren't always practical, as they require long ground loops trenches to be dug into your yard. The payback timeline is 3-5 years. __________________ per·son \ˈpər-sən\ (noun) - an ephemeral collection of small, irrational decisions The fun thing about evolution (and science in general) is that it happens whether you believe in it or not.

04-15-2010, 06:05 PM	#12
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	For the last 12 months, our electric bill was $506 (for an average of about $42/month) and our gas bill was $712 (for an average of about $59/month). Our house is about 3,000 square feet. We live at an elevation of about 7,000 feet, so it tends to be winter most of the year. We do not have AC. __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

04-15-2010, 06:39 PM	#13
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	Our electric bill is between $200 and $300 a month.... House just under 3k. All electric. We live about 9 feet above sea level.

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