Connecting moms in Polk County, Fla.
Electric Bills
Well now with the hotter temperatures coming up go the electric bills and they are adding a 10% increase at that per kilowatt hour. I've noticed ours slowly going up the past few months. Last month was $218 and this new bill is for $275.
Got new weather stripping to put around the front and back doors. I also bought the Damp Rid and stuck it in the master bathroom and it does take the moisture out of the air. Going to get a couple more to put around the house. When I up the temperature inside with the heat outside it feels like moisture in the air. Thank goodness they are not expensive. I paid $2 (was $3 less a $1 coupon) for the bucket type I put in the bathroom. Since it hubby has the door closed during the day when he sleeps there is no circulation of air and it gets mildew in the shower. It really has helped out. I know I got more coupons so I got to check out the coupon data base to get what insert they were in.
Going to clean more in here and get rid of things. With it cluttered up in places the air doesn't circulate so the A/C is running more. With hubby going to the gun range after I am staying home with Jesse and start cleaning the laundry room. Once that is cleaned out I can work in the livingroom.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Fallsmama on -
I just went through our bills from the last four years for comparison. Our bill this month on a 1500 sq ft home with no pool is just under 170 - this is considerably lower than this time of year each year going back to 2009 when bills were at or over 200 (the dearest being 210)
One thing I account for part of the difference is the fact that we turn the a/c WAY up when we know we're going to be out of the house for a while - no point in cooling an empty house.
When we are in the house - we keep the air at 80 and use the ceiling fans. We are all comfortable. The only time I feel warm is if I cook something in the oven which of course heats the kitchen up - so sometimes I'll knock it down to 78 for a while. I am so used to these temps - I honestly can't stand being in a room where the air is way down low - I even hate going to to movies because I feel like I have to put my winter clothes on just so I don't freeze in there!
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Permalink Reply by Pat on
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My last month was $430!! I live in an old double wide, and MUST run the air at no higher than 75, because I suffer from COPD..I also have to run oxygen equipment 24/7..add to this 4 teens living in the house and the bills are crazy!! I havent even had the pool pump running yet this year, as we are waiting to replace the liner...I am serioously thinking of moving to a small apartment, hoping to control the electric bills..
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Permalink Reply by Tabby on -
WOW Pat that is high. Doesn't Lakeland Electric have a program for those with medical conditions? I would give them a call to find out id you haven't already. Never hurts to try. I remember when I first moved here my electric bill in the winter was $30 (liked it cool since I came from NY) and my summer bill was not even $100. That was back in 1993 though. Plus lot rent was only $120 a month then and now it's $304 a month. Things just keep going up each year and after a while it gets crazy.
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Permalink Reply by Tabby on
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Temps say 92 degrees but feels like it's 100 if not a bit more. Got A/C set at 76 and registering 83 in here. Even got the fans on, room darkening curtains and still a bit warm. Trying not to move around much. At least I don't need to cook tonight. Mom is going to have leftovers from the other night (I made Pot Roast). Jesse can have the leftover vegetable rice and I'll toss in some smoked sausage for him. For me I am having some soup (crazy I know). Hubby is getting baked potato with cheese and bacon, lunchables and snacks for his cooler. Tonight after it cools down more, I'll make a cake and get dinner for tomorrow done (spaghetti). This way tomorrow is heat and eat.
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The only thing the electric company will do is put me on a priority list so if we lose electric, this area would be a priority to get back on, since my main oxygen support is electric...I do have tanks also to use if I go out, but the big one for emergenicies lasts only about 15-18 hours...My best bill is about 250...too many teens in here, using LOTS of hot water and other electric
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Permalink Reply by Fallsmama on
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Maybe you need your a/c unit serviced. It's not working properly if it's not coming down to what you've set on the thermostat.
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Permalink Reply by Tabby on
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True..Never thought of that. Will have to get my neighbor to call his ex brother in law. He works for an A/C repair company, but does it on the side for a bit of extra cash. Last time he came over and cleaned it he only charged me $50. Even if it's $75 it's not bad. Hubby's got this thing about strangers coming in the house. I can see where he comes from on that, but there are times you just got to have people come in.
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Permalink Reply by Stacie (Paco10778) on -
I just got my bill and it's crazy too... almost $250. It looks like they replaced the meter too... perhaps its running like the gas pumps now! IDK. I try to control the a/c, lights, electronics, etc. we will see.
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Permalink Reply by Tabby on
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Called around to get prices on the yearly service to the A/C so I know what to look at. So far Affordable Air is the cheapest at $55. Hubby is going to get ahold of the neighbor tomorrow to see if his ex brother in law still does it on the side and how much he charges now. Put up some new weather stripping around the doors to seal it better. Not seeing any daylight which is good. Since I got the A/C set at 76 and it's registering 80 in here, I may as well turn it up to that. I do got the desk top fans going to help. Can't feel the cold air till you are ontop if the A/C vents. I know I am hoping to get to NY next year, but may need to look into getting a new A/C unit instead. I know some places have slightly used (ones that people were paying on, but stopped so they took them back). Will look into them as well as new ones. This one has been here since 1993 so I think it's time. Since living here it's only been serviced a few times. I know it should be done once a year though.
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Permalink Reply by Tabby on
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Got hold of my neighbor the other day and his ex brother in law will be around here in a week. They are pretty swamped at the business he works out with A/C's. Hoping the service and cleaning he does helps it get cooler in here. Got A/C set at 77 and it's 81 in here. Earlier was about to go sit in the car with the A/C on since it was much colder...LOL At least it's only $30 for the service call and then whatever he'll charge if the system needs to be charged up (I'm sure it will). Hubby said last time it was $50 total with the service and topping off of coolant. Can't beat it. Should look into a new or new/used A/C for next year at income tax. We'll see though.
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Permalink Reply by Shawn Spivey on -
You all chatting electric bills in the $200's sounds dreamy to me. I do currently live in a pretty big house, but I don't have a pool and certainly stay energy saving conscious. Even considering those things, and me keeping my air set at 79, my bill last month was over $600. This does include my water usage (the city of Bartow combines the two) as well, but I haven't watered my lawn in over 2 months.
With my pending divorce I'm looking for a new home to purchase and want to stay in Bartow since the children attend school here. Considering Bartow stays on top for being either the highest, or close to the highest, municipality for electric charges, I'm a little nervous to do so (especially on a single mom budget).
Bartow Residents Have Faced the Highest Municipal Utility Bills in ...
Although Florida as a whole has some of the highest electric rates in the entire country (lucky us, right?),
9 Investigates: High Florida electric bills
you Lakeland folks may be luckier than you think. According to this FP&L chart, Lakeland had the 5th lowest power bills in the state last year.
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Permalink Reply by MonsterMom on -
Ouch Shawn. 600 dollars is a lot. Compared to everyone else's stories, I really can't complain. Our house is also pretty big (about 3500 sf heated/cooled). However, our electricity bill is about 200 in the summer and about 150 in the other months. Our water bill is actually higher than our electricity bill in some months :) When we built this house, my husband had the builder put in additional insulation in the attic and foam insulation in the cement block walls. I wanted to put in double-paned windows but the husband was not keen on that idea. We do have enregy star appliances and I try to use my clothesline as much as possible (with a family of 6 I end up washing 12-14 loads of laundry a week).
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