Electricity Hike Coming Any Tips For a More Energy Efficient Reef?

[Marshall O]

My house is also south facing and get full sun all day long in the winter. If I do solar, it would have(?) to be installed in front of the house? I'm not sure if I can live with the look of a house full of solar panels on the roof.

Yes, they have to be installed on the south facing side of your roof. I actually like the way they look

 

[reefstarter]

hats not too bad , mine was almost $450 lol plus gas around $275 . so I need to do something about that .

 

[this is me]

Thanks for the pic Marshall.

 

[Marshall O]

I just got my gas bill online and it's not that bad so far...About $400 combined gas and electricity bill. I was a little shocked to see my electricity bill went from $80 in the fall to $110 in October(heating on and off) and now $220 for the month of Nov. This is from the electricity hike and the heating set at 68 constant. I know the tank cost me about $50-$60 a month based on my calculation. Dehumidifier still running in the basement.

Don't forget that your tanks will use a lot more electricity in winter due to the heaters. Our electric bill has been averaging around $300/month! So going solar was almost a no brainer for us.

 

[Jeff.:P]

I was thinking of switching to Viridian Energy to lock in a rate of 12.99 for 3 years. But the reviews online aren't helping them. Anyone here have them for a service?

 

[nemodan]

A company came home and offer the solar panels installed for $40k. The return in taxes and the savings in electricity bill will pay the $40k bank loan during the next 10 years.

My answer was that if I were 20 years younger, I will do it, because it will be for FREE...after 10 years....because for now instead of paying the electric bill I will have to pay the bank loan. At 57 years old and not knowing if I will stay in MA at my retirement in 10 years, I declined. I decided to continue paying the electric bill. And the future home owner can deal with the solar panels.

My house is well positioned and I already bought the house with a Water Solar Panel Heating System that save me lots of $$$$ because we do not have town gas here.

Cheers
Daniel

Ps: my electric bill is around $250-275/month with 2 Marine tanks and 3 freshwater tanks. And remember that my heating water house system use more electricit in winter due to a lower sun intensity. But in summer I have the ACs. So one compensate the other on the different season's

 

[delta]

Get yourself a kilowatt meter, so you can see what you are actually using for electricity. then go through your entire house and check everything. Switch out all you incandescent lights for LEDs.

Without a killowatt meter and actual numbers you are just throwing the dice and hoping for the best. ANd it is going to take more than just your fish tank to make a real difference

 

[JTM4UG]

Anyone know what third party company has the cheapest rates?

 

[dilligaf29]

i bought one of the killowat meters and when i put it on my cabl box it made me sick to know that it was usinng more electric than anything else in the house cable box X5 now i have them on surege to kill power all together so its really off

 

[dz6t]

After seeing what you guys pay for electricity, I don't feel that bad any more.

 

[jdeb101]

I haven't seen any dramatic increase yet in my bill, but this thread is scaring me! Not the best time for me to be starting a 95g I suppose. :/