Author Topic: Quick tip for Utility Bill  (Read 4585 times)

Iceplant18

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Quick tip for Utility Bill
« on: July 03, 2013, 10:28:44 PM »
I live in the San Diego area and the local gas/electric utility has a program I wanted to share with you all.  Basically I agree to have a box installed (at no cost) onto my A/C which allows the utility company to shut my A/C off during times of high electrical grid usage and in exchange I get a $150 bill credit in December of every year.  That covers around 2 and a half months of utility bills for me!  This was a no brainer as I rarely run the A/C anyway because of the cost, plus I like the idea of helping avoid rolling blackouts for the community.  Call your utility and see if they have a similar program.  This type of thing is right up the Mustachian alley. 

Maseroni

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Re: Quick tip for Utility Bill
« Reply #1 on: July 04, 2013, 06:13:20 AM »
We have a similar program up here in the Toronto area for most nearby municipalities.  It's known as "Peaksaver" to us... and similarly they can shut off the A/C unit remotely up to a couple of times a month I believe.

I signed up for the program this past fall.  In exchange, they provided us with a nifty internet-controllable 7-day digital thermostat, and a power monitor so I can track my power usage in real-time.  The internet controllable thermostat is handy for adjusting things from work or while away.  I used it while away visiting family for Xmas, and was able to turn down the heat when we left, then turn it on remotely before heading home so the place was warm when we arrived home... pretty handy!

Like you I don't use the A/C very much so it was a no-brainer to get something that will help improve my home's efficiency basically for nothing on my end.

Cottonwood28

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Re: Quick tip for Utility Bill
« Reply #2 on: July 04, 2013, 01:59:50 PM »
I'm also in San Diego and started using that program last year. Any hints on the water bill? Our water bill with Otay is by far our biggest issue.

MoneyLifeandMore

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Re: Quick tip for Utility Bill
« Reply #3 on: July 08, 2013, 05:11:45 PM »
They don't have the autoshutoff program here in Florida, but they do offer incentives for making your home more efficient and they'll come out and do a free energy audit. Utilities generally have a ton of programs like this, although I'm not sure why or who pays for it.

*edit* Just wanted to clarify. The customer normally doesn't pay anything, but I don't know if the utility company foots the bill or if the federal or local governments reimburse them. *edit*
« Last Edit: July 09, 2013, 04:34:45 PM by MoneyLifeandMore »

lisahi

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Re: Quick tip for Utility Bill
« Reply #4 on: July 09, 2013, 08:29:45 AM »
Do you all just have one electricity service provider in your area, or many? When I lived in Hawaii, one provider (Hawaiian Electric) was all there was. In Texas, there are tons of choices. I'm not even sure how to figure out how many different companies serve my area. And I'm not sure where to go to find out if there are an incentives programs.

I know automatic shut-off is unlikely to be a program here. Peak energy usage is basically 6 months of 110+ degree weather. If they turned off my A/C, the temperature in my house would rise to around 95 and humid. Not good. But there may be other programs of which I'm not aware.

Iceplant18

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Re: Quick tip for Utility Bill
« Reply #5 on: July 09, 2013, 11:44:04 PM »
I'm also in San Diego and started using that program last year. Any hints on the water bill? Our water bill with Otay is by far our biggest issue.

The only program I know of with the water company (Vallecitos in my area) is a credit given to cover some of the sewer costs if the water usage is below a certain threshold.  I've hit it before but only during the winter when I don't have to have my irrigation on. 

Do you all just have one electricity service provider in your area, or many? When I lived in Hawaii, one provider (Hawaiian Electric) was all there was. In Texas, there are tons of choices. I'm not even sure how to figure out how many different companies serve my area. And I'm not sure where to go to find out if there are an incentives programs.

Nope.  Just one utility company where I am.  I've honestly never heard of a place where there's multiple choices for electric. 

lisahi

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Re: Quick tip for Utility Bill
« Reply #6 on: July 10, 2013, 09:04:34 AM »

Do you all just have one electricity service provider in your area, or many? When I lived in Hawaii, one provider (Hawaiian Electric) was all there was. In Texas, there are tons of choices. I'm not even sure how to figure out how many different companies serve my area. And I'm not sure where to go to find out if there are an incentives programs.

Nope.  Just one utility company where I am.  I've honestly never heard of a place where there's multiple choices for electric.

Neither had I until I moved here. Great for competitive prices, I guess, but I really have no idea where the central authority on electricity exists for the city, and how to get involved in city incentives. Or if there is a central authority, or any city control over energy at all. Looking at a list from whitefence.com, there's CPL Energy, Green Mountain Energy, TXU Energy, New Leaf Energy, Reliant, Just Energy, and Cirro. Not sure if that's all there is, or that's all that paid to get on whitefence.com.