Texas Fall/Winter thread!
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ronjhall
Super Star Member
Our utilities gas/electric been all digital for a few years now. Can go on companies site and see how much has been used about 3 days out. But have never looked at it until saw others comments on the subject. Kind of nice living out on the outer edge of a large metropolitan area. Bills average out to about $170 a month total for gas and electric.
Bird
Rest in Peace
Ron, we don't have any gas, but it sounds as if you have a good deal. Our electric averaged $200.45 a month in 2011 when we were paying 13.3 cents per KWH (18081 KWH), $152.73 in 2012 at 11.3 cents per KWH (16207 KWH), and $160.35 in 2013 at 10.9 cents per KWH (17621 KWH) (it would have been $150.40 until this cold December and me running that other heater in the shop:laughing
. Of course, I could go to Quicken and see what we paid for the last 17 years, but I only started keeping a convenient spreadsheet in 2011 because of the horror stories that had appeared in the news media about the "smart meters" that were being installed (I'm guessing it's the same thing you have as all "digital"). Our smart meter was installed on 6/2/2012 and I have no complaints. I think it's once a week (or maybe every 10 days) that they send me an e-mail showing the usage so far this billing cycle and an estimate of what the next bill will be.
. Of course, I could go to Quicken and see what we paid for the last 17 years, but I only started keeping a convenient spreadsheet in 2011 because of the horror stories that had appeared in the news media about the "smart meters" that were being installed (I'm guessing it's the same thing you have as all "digital"). Our smart meter was installed on 6/2/2012 and I have no complaints. I think it's once a week (or maybe every 10 days) that they send me an e-mail showing the usage so far this billing cycle and an estimate of what the next bill will be.
ronjhall
Super Star Member
Not sure we have a good deal on the electricity. When total bill is figured its $.174/KWH. Charged rate before add on's is $.093/KWH.
Ron, we don't have any gas, but it sounds as if you have a good deal. Our electric averaged $200.45 a month in 2011 when we were paying 13.3 cents per KWH (18081 KWH), $152.73 in 2012 at 11.3 cents per KWH (16207 KWH), and $160.35 in 2013 at 10.9 cents per KWH (17621 KWH) (it would have been $150.40 until this cold December and me running that other heater in the shop:laughing
Bird,
That is interesting. My wife says our average for the year is around $220 per month.
I'll gladly pay $20 per month for cooler summers, usually enough rain, too much this year, cold enough
to kill the bugs over winter, and only 1 poisonous snake.:laughing:
I don't quite understand your chart above? It looks like your electric rates have been getting cheaper
per KWH each year.
Bird
Rest in Peace
You're not supposed to understand utility rates, are you? I thought they tried to make them as confusing as possible.:laughing: You get to select from a number of plans. I still use TXU Energy (used to be TP&L "Texas Power & Light). Right now today, I'd have a choice of 9.9 cents per KWH for 24 months if I signed up for "Auto Pay" (i.e., they just draft the checking account), or 13.9 cents per KWH with free electricity at night or free weekends (your choice) for 24 months, or 11.4 cents per KWH for 12 months. I was on 12 month plans before, but they were going way up, so I'm now on a 10.4 cents per KWH plan for 9 months. But in each case, there's a few extras such as a "base charge" ($4.95 in my case), "gross receipts reimbursement" ($5.11 this month, and I'm not even sure, but that may be the surcharge to pay for a "smart meter" which you pay whether you wanted a smart meter or not), then there's sales tax ($4.64 this month). So the amounts I posted before include everything. In other words my 10.4 cent plan is actually costing 10.7 to 11.5 with an average of 10.9.
Oh, I also just noticed that I currently have $46.74 in their "rewards" program. I think you can order different merchandise or prepaid credit cards, etc., but I only use it to apply to the electric bill.
So if Ron's total is $.174, up from a charge rate of $.093, then they have a lot more added on than we do.
Geez,
What a mess. Sounds like the games they played years ago when they deregulated telephone service.
I'll stick with my local CO-OP as long as I can. They are the poor blokes that have to brave the nasty weather
to fix downed lines, broken poles, etc. They have a lot of gimmick offers in the monthly CO-OP magazine for underground
HVAC, water heaters, etc. but it is all voluntary and any profit goes to them. I like to keep a few of the folks in my
local area having good paying jobs even though our local coal powered power plant shut down years ago and the actual juice comes from the grid.
Bird
Rest in Peace
Yep, Ron, we had an electric co-op in Navarro County. We read our own meters and mailed a check each month. They said they were supposed to come verify the meter reading twice a year, but also said that, in reality, they were lucky to get around to doing it once a year. I don't remember what the price was per KWH, but my average monthly bill was $193.36 in 1998, $154.45 in '99, and $175.95 in 2000.
Lou66
Veteran Member
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Talking about electrical bills,, I asked Betty what was our bill this month.. She said 344 dollars and some chances.:shocked:. I'm going to forget I asked her and continue to act like I live on the other side of the rainbow.:laughing:. where blue birds sing.:dance1:.Lou
