Author Topic: Energy consumption  (Read 3326 times)

themathochist

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 10
Energy consumption
« on: June 06, 2014, 01:08:34 PM »
Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone could share their experiences regarding energy costs. We currently use JEA for our electricity, with the exception of our water heater tank and our dryer. Those are gas (propane through Sawyer). We normally wash our clothes on cold and do laundry once a week (me, wife, 2 kids under 2). My propane bill is approx. $150 per month, while electricity is approx $250 in the summer (roughly 2800 sq ft as far as heating/cooling via the HVAC) and $125 during the winter. I am starting to think propane is just too expensive.

Does anyone here have experience with Sawyer gas, and propane in general? I searched online and the current average residential cost (per gallon of propane) is under $4.00. That means we're using almost 38 gallons a month to heat our water tank and run our dryer! That seems high to me...

NotNow

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3335
Re: Energy consumption
« Reply #1 on: June 06, 2014, 01:21:22 PM »
Dump Sawyer.  Try AA up on Main St.
Deo adjuvante non timendum

Debbie Thompson

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1019
Re: Energy consumption
« Reply #2 on: June 07, 2014, 05:45:17 PM »
 Your JEA Bill is good for a large house like that, though.

IrvAdams

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 657
Re: Energy consumption
« Reply #3 on: June 07, 2014, 06:47:00 PM »
Yikes, propane seems to be expensive! I would go all electric, probably cheaper overall.
“He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still”
- Lao Tzu

I-10east

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5460
Re: Energy consumption
« Reply #4 on: June 07, 2014, 06:57:03 PM »
Far as gas is concerned, nothing can't get much worst than TECO. Since I moved recently, I'm so glad that I'm done with TECO and CWE (Commercial Water Energy), two god-awful companies!!! All JEA all the way now, thank God! The bill is reasonable too.

Debbie Thompson

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1019
Re: Energy consumption
« Reply #5 on: June 07, 2014, 09:13:46 PM »
I guess natural gas has gone up since I had gas. My TECO Bill for a 40 gal gas water heater never exceeded $30 a month. That was over 10 years ago though.

Dog Walker

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3937
Re: Energy consumption
« Reply #6 on: June 08, 2014, 11:19:10 AM »
An open loop solar water heater costs about $2100 installed.  JEA gives you a $800 rebate and you can take the rest off of your Federal income tax next year.  Install a 40 gallon electric water heater as backup and storage and you bill for hot water will be zero during the summer months and < $15 during the winter.

If you have a large family or teenagers a closed loop solar hot water system might be better for you.  Cost for full system is just over $4k but you will never ever pay for hot water again.

Solar water heat is the "low hanging fruit" for solar energy.

Sawyer has a terrible reputation for cost and service and most of your propane is probably going to keep the pilot lights on your water heater and dryer burning.  Total waste!
When all else fails hug the dog.

themathochist

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 10
Re: Energy consumption
« Reply #7 on: June 14, 2014, 09:30:32 AM »
Thank you all for the responses. I'll start looking into the solar suggestion since there seem to be a number of homes in our neighborhood that already have it. I don't mind the up-front cost considering it will pay for itself in a year compared with Sawyer's costs.