What is your average utility cost per month?

Daox · 10-02-12, 10:26 AM

I'm just curious how much things fluxuate. I know our heating and cooling degree days are all over the place depending on our climates. Also, rates for utilities vary depending where you are quite a bit. So, I'm wondering if cost is more consistent, or if it fluxuates just as wildly.

My average utility cost for the past year has been $170/mo. That includes natural gas, electric, and sewer.

Broken down further:
Natural gas: $55
Electric: $65
Sewer: $50

Average electric cost: .17/kwh (this is my total cost divided by kwh used, so it includes all service charges)
Average natural gas cost: $1.06 (this is my total cost divided by therms used, so it includes all service charges)
Sewer is a flat rate since I have my own well and just use city sewer. My water use isn't metered (yet, I plan to add a meter for my own records).

I'm hoping that my solar hot water panel setup will reduce that natural gas down to around $30. It will also lower the electric a decent amount because I've switched to an electric hot water heater in the last year (knowing I'd be putting up the solar hot water).

Ryland · 10-02-12, 11:01 AM

I have a duplex with two electric meters but a single gas and a single water meter.

Our last bill was 5 therms and 415 KWH.

Our summer time natural gas use is $2.78 per month plus $10.25 in connection fees giving a total of $13 per month for natural gas (water heater), in the winter that bumps up to around $70 to $150 depending on how cold it is.
Electrical is a pretty steady $70 per month, a little higher in the winter because of the furnace fan drawing 600 watts every time it kicks on and we have two meter fees of $8 each.
We also pay an extra $0.013684 per KWH for "wind source" wind power.

Total for us comes out to $0.18 per KWH after all of the meter fees.

Our water bill for 3 months is $59 for water and sewer for 8228 gallons, that includes watering the garden and three adults in the house.

strider3700 · 10-02-12, 12:04 PM

Electric works out to $69.45 per month which works out to $0.0856/kwh

Water is bundled with sewer and garbage. They average $32.09/month
sewer and garbage are flat rate daily charges
Sewer works out to $8.06/month
Garbage works out to $9.88/month
so water and taxes makes up the remaining
$14.51/month

So this works out to $101.54/month.

Just editing to add I also bought $360 worth of firewood this year. 2 cords. That will be used to supplement the heatpump. I usually cut my own for $30 plus gas and time. So add an extra $30/month to my total $131.54/month

ecomodded · 10-02-12, 09:50 PM

I heat my 1900sqf house using 220v baseboard heaters combined with my other electric consumption i pay $96 month on the equal payment plan. This year it has been so mild i still am not using my heaters. Never heat the downstairs but adsorb a lot of solar heat threw the windows, which has been heating my house lately.
My utilities are high and many, then they tax me to a total of 2 grand a year.

OffGridKindaGuy · 10-03-12, 05:46 AM

960 sq. ft... $37.50 for propane to operate my 2 fridges, cook stove, and water heater.. (no electric or sewer)

Daox · 10-03-12, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OffGridKindaGuy

960 sq. ft... $37.50 for propane to operate my 2 fridges, cook stove, and water heater.. (no electric or sewer)

Show off!

PaleMelanesian · 10-03-12, 09:59 AM

2400 sq ft, north Texas ~2500 CDD and 2500 HDD, all electric. Septic, so only pay for incoming water.

Water: $25 (40+ in summer watering the veggie garden)
Baseload electric: $50 *
Total electric incl HVAC: $100 **

Total bill is about $0.08 / kWh. Was 0.07 last year, going up to 0.10 next year. Thanks EPA and CSAPR and utilities who didn't upgrade until the last minute.

* should go down now with the Geospring heat pump water heater.
** was 140 with the old central heat pump. New 16-seer helps a ton!

gasstingy · 11-05-12, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

2400 sq ft, north Texas ~2500 CDD and 2500 HDD, all electric.

* should go down now with the Geospring heat pump water heater.
** was 140 with the old central heat pump. New 16-seer helps a ton!

I'm curious what the SEER of the old central unit was. A $40.00 cut in the electric bill helps, I'm sure.

I've been spending a great deal of effort this year on improvements(?) and the next thing on my to-do list in the spring is replace my SEER 12 central air {and change the bottom of the line, 77% efficient, natural gas furnace to electricity at the same time.} I have nothing to use to guesstimate my power bill reduction.

I'll go through my utility bills soon so I can chime in on usage.

PaleMelanesian · 11-06-12, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gasstingy

I'm curious what the SEER of the old central unit was. A $40.00 cut in the electric bill helps, I'm sure.

I have no idea. It wasn't marked, but it was 20 years old. Based on the new unit's 16-SEER rating and the ~33% HVAC savings, I'm guessing it was a 10.

Daox · 10-08-12, 12:13 PM

Anyone else?

10-02-12, 10:26 AM	#1
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	What is your average utility cost per month? I'm just curious how much things fluxuate. I know our heating and cooling degree days are all over the place depending on our climates. Also, rates for utilities vary depending where you are quite a bit. So, I'm wondering if cost is more consistent, or if it fluxuates just as wildly. My average utility cost for the past year has been $170/mo. That includes natural gas, electric, and sewer. Broken down further: Natural gas: $55 Electric: $65 Sewer: $50 Average electric cost: .17/kwh (this is my total cost divided by kwh used, so it includes all service charges) Average natural gas cost: $1.06 (this is my total cost divided by therms used, so it includes all service charges) Sewer is a flat rate since I have my own well and just use city sewer. My water use isn't metered (yet, I plan to add a meter for my own records). I'm hoping that my solar hot water panel setup will reduce that natural gas down to around $30. It will also lower the electric a decent amount because I've switched to an electric hot water heater in the last year (knowing I'd be putting up the solar hot water). __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Last edited by Daox; 10-02-12 at 10:34 AM..

10-02-12, 12:04 PM	#3
strider3700 Master EcoRenovator Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vancouver Island BC Posts: 745 Thanks: 23 Thanked 37 Times in 30 Posts	Electric works out to $69.45 per month which works out to $0.0856/kwh Water is bundled with sewer and garbage. They average $32.09/month sewer and garbage are flat rate daily charges Sewer works out to $8.06/month Garbage works out to $9.88/month so water and taxes makes up the remaining $14.51/month So this works out to $101.54/month. Just editing to add I also bought $360 worth of firewood this year. 2 cords. That will be used to supplement the heatpump. I usually cut my own for $30 plus gas and time. So add an extra $30/month to my total $131.54/month Last edited by strider3700; 10-02-12 at 01:24 PM.. Reason: forgot firewood.

10-03-12, 05:46 AM	#5
OffGridKindaGuy Hi-Tech Hillbilly Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 97 Thanks: 1 Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts	960 sq. ft... $37.50 for propane to operate my 2 fridges, cook stove, and water heater.. (no electric or sewer) __________________ If it don't, I'll always think it shoulda..

10-08-12, 12:13 PM	#10
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Anyone else? __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

10-02-12, 11:01 AM	#2
Ryland Master EcoRenovator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Western Wisconsin. Posts: 913 Thanks: 127 Thanked 82 Times in 71 Posts	I have a duplex with two electric meters but a single gas and a single water meter. Our last bill was 5 therms and 415 KWH. Our summer time natural gas use is $2.78 per month plus $10.25 in connection fees giving a total of $13 per month for natural gas (water heater), in the winter that bumps up to around $70 to $150 depending on how cold it is. Electrical is a pretty steady $70 per month, a little higher in the winter because of the furnace fan drawing 600 watts every time it kicks on and we have two meter fees of $8 each. We also pay an extra $0.013684 per KWH for "wind source" wind power. Total for us comes out to $0.18 per KWH after all of the meter fees. Our water bill for 3 months is $59 for water and sewer for 8228 gallons, that includes watering the garden and three adults in the house.

10-02-12, 09:50 PM	#4
ecomodded Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Vancouver Island,Canada. Posts: 1,037 Thanks: 116 Thanked 100 Times in 87 Posts	I heat my 1900sqf house using 220v baseboard heaters combined with my other electric consumption i pay $96 month on the equal payment plan. This year it has been so mild i still am not using my heaters. Never heat the downstairs but adsorb a lot of solar heat threw the windows, which has been heating my house lately. My utilities are high and many, then they tax me to a total of 2 grand a year.

10-03-12, 09:59 AM	#7
PaleMelanesian Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 118 Thanks: 4 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts	2400 sq ft, north Texas ~2500 CDD and 2500 HDD, all electric. Septic, so only pay for incoming water. Water: $25 (40+ in summer watering the veggie garden) Baseload electric: $50 * Total electric incl HVAC: $100 ** Total bill is about $0.08 / kWh. Was 0.07 last year, going up to 0.10 next year. Thanks EPA and CSAPR and utilities who didn't upgrade until the last minute. * should go down now with the Geospring heat pump water heater. ** was 140 with the old central heat pump. New 16-seer helps a ton!