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Old 01-01-14, 09:07 AM   #3
Servicetech
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Location: Moore Oklahoma
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We have NG water heater, and the way the price structure is set up from the gas/water companies it discourages conservation. High monthly fixed charges ($80/mo between the 2) with minimal cost for usage. 1000 gallons of water is $2, Natural gas is 50 cents per therm. If I use the whole 50 gallon tank and it takes an hour for the 40,000BTU burner to recover, a 30 minute shower costs about a quarter. A normal 10 minute show costs less than a dime in water/NG costs. $6/mo for the wife and I on showers, Kids still take baths. Installing new 1.5GPM shower head (current is 2.5GPM) would save $2/mo for us.

Unfortunately the trend isn't good, utilities are raising the fixed monthly fee portion of the bill at a much faster rate than the fuel/energy costs. If government really wants to reduce energy use they need to stop subsidizing the cost of energy itself, and let the true costs show. IMHO its a much better solution than the government intervening with regulations such as banning light bulbs..

Last edited by Servicetech; 01-01-14 at 09:11 AM..
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