Can't afford to ride

Suddenly my electric usage has jumped over 20% and I don't know why. It is
making me crazy (er). I keep track of my usage with a nice program I had
made by the Commies in Romania, so it is not my imagination.

I even fine tuned my big screen TV so it would not use excessive power.

When I pay my suddenly higher than it should be electric bill, I don't have
extra money for Valkyrie parts and bling. Can't even buy gas for the old
girl.

I think the electric companies are sending secret signals making my meter
spin faster, but I can't catch them.

In desperation, I have ordered this to help me track down the culprits.

http://www.theenergydetective.com/what/overview.html

 

Neat. You know, if you'd just read your meter and know what your KPH
cost is, you wouldn't need gadgets to figure out what you'll be paying
every month. ;-)
But... we all have our crosses to bear, when it comes to home energy
usage. I've cut way back on my energy needs. I only turn on just the
light(s) I need. My electric bill was still $140. It's colder up
here where we are and at least I have a 300 gallon propane tank, which
is getting low. I bought 100 gallons ($323) last February, which
brought the gauge up to 45%. I now have about 19% showing up on the
guage, which means I have 57 gallons left, if the gauge is right. I'm
keeping the thermostat at it's lowest setting (about 60 degrees). I
even turn the heater off during the day, then open windows and doors
to let the sun warm the rooms. At night I get cold but extra layers
of clothes helps. I've also had to resort to using electric heaters.
I know I am going to pay dearly for that. We're trying not to have to
pay for another 100 gallons of propane, since we're actively trying to
sell this place and at this moment, we don't have that kind of money
to spend.
Try keeping up 2 households on a fixed income. If you aren't a Howard
Hughes, Bill Gates, or at least CEO of Exxon, it's pretty darn hard.

 

Neat. You know, if you'd just read your meter and know what your KPH
cost is, you wouldn't need gadgets to figure out what you'll be paying
every month. ;-)
But... we all have our crosses to bear, when it comes to home energy
usage. I've cut way back on my energy needs. I only turn on just the
light(s) I need. My electric bill was still $140. It's colder up
here where we are and at least I have a 300 gallon propane tank, which
is getting low. I bought 100 gallons ($323) last February, which
brought the gauge up to 45%. I now have about 19% showing up on the
guage, which means I have 57 gallons left, if the gauge is right. I'm
keeping the thermostat at it's lowest setting (about 60 degrees). I
even turn the heater off during the day, then open windows and doors
to let the sun warm the rooms. At night I get cold but extra layers
of clothes helps. I've also had to resort to using electric heaters.
I know I am going to pay dearly for that. We're trying not to have to
pay for another 100 gallons of propane, since we're actively trying to
sell this place and at this moment, we don't have that kind of money
to spend.
Try keeping up 2 households on a fixed income. If you aren't a Howard
Hughes, Bill Gates, or at least CEO of Exxon, it's pretty darn hard.


Hey Sunny, I do read my meter every day and know exactly what it costs me.
That is how I know something is afoot. One of my job skills way back in the
day was Energy Management.

I am trying to track down the culprit. I am not totally convinced the meter
has not just gone bad. Long shot I know, but nothing has changed that I am
aware. I am not using heat to amount to anything and a/c has not run hardly,
but my kw usage has stayed the same and gone up some days.

As I mentioned, I have a program that I input my kw cost into, the daily
reading and it tracks my usage, cost and gives me reports by previous day,
10 days, 30 days and per year along with other custom reporting.

I really did have it made to my design and specs by a Romanian and his cute
girlfriend. It is written in Visual Basic so I can make sure it is what I
want and nothing more and modify it when I so desire. I am just too lazy to
work on it more for now.

I hope you have a speedy sale on your place.

 

I think you both should move in with BJ...That will take care of your
electric bill and propane problems.

Redshad

 

140.00?? Is that all?? Thats one trip to Harbor Freight for Louie and
I. Someones got to help China you know.

Redshad

 

Jerry, what are you doing with the extra money you're saving on
Gasolene, of which has dropped about 56%. I'm putting my savings in the
market.
Not that market fool, ''the grocery market'' We just purchased $190
dollars to fix the family Thanksgiving Dinner for; 14 big people, 6
young people, and 3 grand babies, and two great grand
babies....wheeeeeeish.
I calculated that the gasolene savings bought ''all of it''.
I kept up with it.I am a tactician, ya know...heheheh
They'll all hit here starting Wed night, through Sat. When they all
leave, we'll put our home back together....ehheheh

 

Jerry, I realize you are one of the best 'fine tuners'' on the forum,
but there's no way to fine tune a TV, this day and time, maybe when they
had fuses, bulbs, and whatever they called them years ago.., but even
you cannot fine tune no digital Television set..ya cant get to the
digits. heha, MrJayT=

 

Rocking Ted. We need more of him.

 

Jay, we already know you are dumber than a stump when it comes to politics,
but there is no need to spread such knowledge of yourself regarding other
things.

I will attempt one more time to help you even though it has been a lost
cause so far.

Here is one link and only one. If you really want to come out of the dark
ages, look it up yourself.


http://www.fypower.org/res/news/big-screens.html

a.. Reduce light output with other settings: Maximize both picture quality
and energy use by fine-tuning your picture


I can assure you I can crank up that big Plasma and heat up the room with
it. Or not if it is adjusted properly.

Plenty of services out there that will gladly come to your home and do this
for about 3 or 4 hundred dollars. Improves picture quality and energy
demand.

Go to a Best Buy and put your hand next to a big screen and you can hardly
feel any heat from them Ask a salesman why that is.

Good luck Bjay.

 

I posted some motorcycle content when I posted this. Damn electric bill is
keeping me from riding.

 

Ted is one of the few celebrities I would like to hang with. I don't know
who the others are.

 

HAHAHAHA ...Ask a salesman.....hehehehehhahe....at BestBuy... another
good one Jerry.

and at Texarkana on top of that......hohohehaheho..... ease up... I gut
busting here.


.....louie

 

Good one Louie.

 

Go outside, unplug the neighbor's Christmas lights from your outdoor plugs.

 

you are too clever. love you for it.

 

You may be on to something. I think one of my neighbors is watching a big
screen plasma that has not been tuned.

 

Unless someone sneaked an extension cord over to your house, check
this out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standby_power

Thanks. Already had an offer but it was way too low.
Lots of people want to lease it, or have us owner finance. No way.
BTDT.

 

I'm thinking of taking in boarders.

 

Kiss my... you get the picture. 8^)

Most of you guys are too busy measuring your thumbs to notice.

 

Jerry tries to explain: ''I can assure you I can crank up that big
Plasma and heat up the room with it. Or not if it is adjusted properly.
Plenty of services out there that will gladly come to your home and do
this for about 3 or 4 hundred dollars. Improves picture quality and
energy demand.
Go to a Best Buy and put your hand next to a big screen and you can
hardly feel any heat from them Ask a salesman why that is.
Good luck Bjay. jerry--

======sure jerry. I got it (chuckle) Jay=