July bill just hit: $387. For a 1,600 sq ft house. Thermostat set to 76.
I'm on a fixed rate plan, my house is relatively new, and I keep the blinds closed during the day. Still getting wrecked.
Is this just what summer costs in Texas? What's everyone else paying? Any actual tips that make a real difference or is this just the price of living somewhere it's 105 degrees for two months straight?
$387 for 1600 sqft sounds high even for summer. What rate are you paying per kWh? Anything over 14 cents and you need to shop around when your contract is up.
I just accept that summer electric bills are $300+ and budget accordingly. It's the Texas tax nobody mentions.
Smart thermostat was a game changer for me. Bumps up to 80 when nobody is home, drops back to 76 an hour before we get back. Saved about $40/month in summer.
Check your insulation. Seriously. Had an energy audit done and found out my attic insulation was garbage. Got it blown in for $1,200 and my summer bills dropped about $80/month.
Ceiling fans in every room. They don't cool the room but they cool YOU and let you bump the thermostat up 3-4 degrees without noticing.