Wednesday, August 11, 2010

How did that happen?

Last Friday we received our electric bill. Gulp. Our bill was over $300. I am sick to my stomach about this HUGE bill. We have never had a utility bill that high before. It has been exceptionally hot this summer, but I still think our bill is ridiculous. The part that really pisses me off is that I have been going out of my way to make sure that our electric bill isn't too high.

In previous summers, I always set the thermostat to 73 degrees. This year I moved that number up to 79 degrees. I thought I would see a big difference in our bill. Not so much. I also have been keeping all of the blinds drawn during the day to block out the sun and heat. I thought living like a hermit would save us money. Not so much. And finally, I have been super strict about keeping the doors closed. I am constantly yelling at the kids for standing in the doorway, letting hot air into our house. I thought this would help us keep down reduce our bill. Ummm...not so much.

So, I am kind of pissed off at the electric company right now. Short of unplugging everything in my house and turning off the A/C, I am not sure what else I can do. Any suggestions?

7 comments:

Laura Marchant said...

Now I am afraid to check ours!

kristi said...

Ours was $315 and next month will probably be higher..ugh.

Carrie said...

When was the last time you replaced your air-filters? That will help...also the $ for the wattage has gone up. It's frustrating, I know.

Stephanie said...

Now I am freaking out to get mine...so frustrating when trying to pinch pennies. Sorry!

Kris said...

Unplugging things at night?
Emptying lint filter after each load?
Is line drying possible at all?
Energy saving lights?
Using the windows for lighting during the day (obviously has to be outweighed by the heat thing, which might be worse)?

We don't unplug stuff at night (naughty I know) but the rest has cut our bill pretty good. Now... we had one $350 dollar one at the apt a couple years ago despite all that and it royally pissed me off. My FIL was paying less for a 2 story house. They swore up and down nothing was wrong but there was... Since we've moved it hasn't been over $140. And its only been the horrible summer months so far... and I've left our drier going all night at least twice a week and more before we got the clothes line. I can't wait to get that thing fixed lol.

Clare said...

our bills have been high too! i am calling the water company tomorrow, because our bill was $500 for two weeks, right after we moved in. we were watering the grass a lot. sooo annoying!!

amanda said...

sorry friend. is it sad that i just expect for them to be crap in the summer? especially this summer. this august has been flat out awful.

still doesn't make it easy to write the check.