Omg!!! CPS BILL!!

[ploto]

Warning--

I got my CPS bill today, and even though I used less electricity than the previous month, my bill still went up almost 8%. They hiked the fuel adjustment charges for both electric and gas and the regulatory adjustment charge on the electric.

[Bigzax]

I paid $452 this month. Last month was $270!! A big chunk of my problem is 3 kids being out of school for the summer. 5 tvs and 4 computers, something is running all the time. Also when it gets so hot I keep my pool pump on 24 hrs instead of on a timer. And a/c set 75-77 for 24 hrs/day.

5 tv's and 4 computers for 3 kids?!

Get them one basketball and one hoop...


throw in an ass whuppin...and tellem to get the outside!

[Ginofan]

I take care of all the bills for my work and I just paid the CPS bill for a grand total of $6.10! I don't know if they didn't read the meter right or what, but we usually average about $200-$300 a month. If I don't report this to CPS do you think they will slap us with a double bill next month or something?

[bobbybob0]

Part of the reson a lot of people are feeling the pain is because we (individually) are not thinking long term in our purchasing/lifestyle decisions - especially with respect to our homes.

All this talk of refineries and red tape doesn't change the fact that there are very simple things we can all do now to reuce our bills.

First, the low hanging fruit:
-Make sure all windows and doors have weather stripping.
-Make incremental changes in how cool you keep the house - if you traditionally keep it at 74, try 75 or 76. Use fans to supplement A/C.
-Unplug appliances that aren't being used (phantom power drains from microwaves, cable boxes, etc are responsible for a considerable amout of your bill)
-Turn off your computer(s) when you're not using them.
-Mare sure any new electronics you by are energy star rated.
-Check to see if CPS offeres free or discounted energy audits so you can get a specific list of things to do on your home that will provide the most bang for the buck. (Austin Energy provides this service free to all subscribers.)
-By a thermal blanket for your water heater (the older the heater, the more critical this one is).

Some things that will cost some money up front but will have a quick payoff:
-Check with CPS to see what efficiency improvements they are providing partial or full rebates for. Start with making these improvements to your house as you can.
-Subscribe to your green energy program. (In Austin right now, green energy costs an extra 1.85 cents per kWh over regular. However, the rate is locked in until the end of 2022. I subscribed a couple years ago and am locked in at a rate that is now .5 cents per kWh LESS than the standard rate - and I will pay that until 2020.) Check the details of CPS's Windtricity program to see if there are similar rate freezes available. If there are, by locking in your rate for the next 15 years you get predictability and can budget more effectively for energy costs. You pay a little more up front, but your rate stays the same as everyone else's rises for the next 15 years.
-Check the amount of insulation in the attic. Add more if there isn't enough.
-Replace your old light bulbs with CFL's
-Look into a radiant barrier for your roof. (Austin Energy provides a rebate for these, check with CPS to see if they do too. They can reduce eneregy demand by up to 30%)
-Look into adding a good window film to the windows that face direct sunlight. (Huper Optik makes a film that is barely visible on the window but can reduce thermal gain by 50% and blocks 99% of UV.)
-Try to plant a shade tree or provide a shade structure by your a/c unit. Ever notice the difference between standing in the direct sun versus under shade trees? The same concept can apply to a/c. The cooler the tempresture of the air is that the unit draws in, the less it has to work to further cool it for indoor use. Make sure you provide enough space for air to freely circulate though.

Big Time:
-When remodeling, always buy the most efficient windows and appliances you can afford.
-When replacing an A/C system, make sure the unit is sized correctly and can also remove humidity, not just heat to help cooling. (Don't count on Bubba's brother that said he'd do the work cheap to pick out the right unit. Contact manufacturer's directly if you have to. Most sales reps can provide info on which units are appropriate for your particular situation.)
-Monitor the (likely) upcoming federal rebats for adding solar to your roof and add these to your home.
-After construction, have your home's energy systems commissioned to make sure they are running at peak efficiency.

The good news is that every single one of these things will add value to your home.


I don't know everything, but would be happy to share what I do know or put you in touch with others that might have answers for you. Send me a PM here - I'll try to check them once a day or so.

-Mark

Just to make sure everyone reads it.

I'm amazed each time I'm in US (my brother's in NY) about the complete waste of energy: oversized cars, AC with windows opened and/or when nobody's in, AC temp well below 72°F and so forth...

[mrsmaalox]

5 tv's and 4 computers for 3 kids?!

Get them one basketball and one hoop...


throw in an ass whuppin...and tellem to get the outside!

2 TVs and one computer are for me They actually have a full sized court with 2 hoops in the backyard, but with this heat I haven't ragged too much on them to get out. And it's rare when all 3 are home at once, it's just that at least one is always home and something is on. And sometimes no one is home but something is still on. That has been a big struggle.

[SAGambler]

Well, my last month was a whopping $455 along with another $115 from SAWS. This heat is just terrible. Worst I remember in years, and along with the high humidities, it seems like the AC never stops, and if I let the yard go for a couple of days, it looks like it is ready to die.

Oh, well, winters coming soon. I hope.

[BigZak]

2 TVs and one computer are for me They actually have a full sized court with 2 hoops in the backyard, but with this heat I haven't ragged too much on them to get out. And it's rare when all 3 are home at once, it's just that at least one is always home and something is on. And sometimes no one is home but something is still on. That has been a big struggle.

full size court!

awesome, can i come over and play...i got 5 on it to help with your cps bill...

i see a spurstalk bball tourney gtg in your future!!!

[blizz]

!! mine was $290 for July....WTF????????????

[Kori Ellis]

!! mine was $290 for July....WTF????????????

We used 12% less in July than in June ... but our bill went up by $90.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

all i gotta say is wait until winter hits. if you have a fireplace stock up on wood. if not build one.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

thank the environmentals among others.

For critical peaks in demand caused by summer airconditioning pushing the price up? Fark off. When the electricity is scarce, pay for it or adjust your behaviour. That's the market.

Learn to use electricity more conservatively and your bill will be more reasonable. I use 6kWh/day on average and live just fine. How much do you use? (and yes, it gets hot here in summer)

[S_A_Longhorn]

We used 12% less in July than in June ... but our bill went up by $90.

Part of the reason is CPS raised their KWH rate, but the majority of it is the ever-changing "Fuel ADjustment" charge. You pay about $.06 per KWH standard rate of CPS, but the alst two months the "Fuel Adjustment" charge has been $.03 per KWH. So you are basically paying $.09 per kWH.

That "Fuel Adjustment" is basically a moving tax for the City of San Antonio. I can't believe they get away with it.

[desflood]

Learn to use electricity more conservatively and your bill will be more reasonable.

Oh, if only it worked that way! We've got an attic so full of insulation we can't even use it, keep every light in the house off all day and have our thermostat set up at 78 degrees... our bill went down to $240 last month. We weren't even in the house for three of those weeks; we were out of state!

[boutons_]

"Because CPS Energy, whose revenues account for about one-quarter of the city's operating budget, has generated greater profits than anticipated..."

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/loc...for_sa100.html

[Mixability]

Just moved into a new house. My wife and I never had central air before. Is it normal for us to leave it off during the day(while we're at work) and to not need it when we sleep(it's freaking freezing at night). Should we feel lucky? It's a programmable thermostat, but our house seems to keep a cool temp without the AC.

[SpursWoman]

You program it during the day for around 78-80 or so ... don't let it get too hot, because it'll have to expend extra energy cooling everything back down.

Our house is 2 years old now, and the difference in our bill compared to our older home has been pretty incredible. Thank goodness for better built, heavily insulated homes.

[AlamoSpursFan]

Floresville's utility company (FELPS) buys their power fom CPS. They turned around and charged me $452 for last month. The reach around was nice, though...

[Mixability]

You program it during the day for around 78-80 or so ... don't let it get too hot, because it'll have to expend extra energy cooling everything back down.

Our house is 2 years old now, and the difference in our bill compared to our older home has been pretty incredible. Thank goodness for better built, heavily insulated homes.

Thanks.

Do you have to run yours at night? I don't know what it is, but my wife and I still like to open up the windows. I guess we like the smell of fresh air sometimes. We have huge windows in our living room, so we can actually function with no lights on, the windows open and the AC off.

If it wasn't for the HOA, we'd probably have foil in the windows.

[slacker77]

Just got my cps bill last week..$210. Last month..$387. The difference? I had my attic insulated with foam, replaced my single windows with double, and replaced all my light bulbs with CFL's. Oh yeah, and kept the thermostat 76 instead of 72.

[fatsack]

We used 12% less in July than in June ... but our bill went up by $90.

this is the that drives me crazy...

WTF?

[Mixability]

Just got my cps bill last week..$210. Last month..$387. The difference? I had my attic insulated with foam, replaced my single windows with double, and replaced all my light bulbs with CFL's. Oh yeah, and kept the thermostat 76 instead of 72.

Coming from our houses that had window units, 77 degrees is heaven!

I'm contemplating replacing our bulbs, but is it smart to replace all these brand new regular bulbs that came with the house or should I wait until they go out?

[CubanMustGo]

Coming from our houses that had window units, 77 degrees is heaven!

I'm contemplating replacing our bulbs, but is it smart to replace all these brand new regular bulbs that came with the house or should I wait until they go out?

Replace 'em. Cost savings add up fast.

For those of you who are still unhappy with your CPS bill, go calculate it at 18.5 cents per kWh. That's what my "compe ive" utility hit me with last month. 1500 kWh, $290. With the AC at 78-82 and 86 for three weekends where we were out of town.

[slacker77]

[QUOTE=CubanMustGo;2734032]Replace 'em. Cost savings add up fast.


agreed. replace them now. The energy savers are a little pricey, but are way worth it in the long run.

[Mixability]

Anyone have a guideline as to which bulbs work best in what rooms? I'm brand new to this homeowner stuff, so any tips would be great.

[desflood]

Solar screens are great. Replace your regular screens with 'em... keeps the house darker and cooler, especially with large windows.