Diggin It
Super Star Member
I'm awake and bored, so I've been reading a few threads on topics and projects I may never do myself.
I see people talking about installing things in homes, shops, outbuildings and whatever. I see people talking about the various costs to install those things with a few options mentioned. What I don't see is any talk of the cost of operating those things. I'm being vague because I don't want to point fingers or call attention to anyone. Installation is only part of the cost of things. It may or may not be the highest cost over time. And then there are the potential costs of repair or replacement.
People seem concerned about internet costs even though they can't really do much about it since most rural areas don't have more than one option, if that. Some areas don't have cell service at all and are blocked from a sufficient satellite view to go that route.
But I don't see any discussion of electric rates or usage despite people installing all sorts of high wattage devices. Nor do I see discussion of other heat source costs like LP or NG.
I do everything reasonably possible to keep operating costs down. I've switched to mostly all LED lights and put them on timers or photocells. I try not to use A/C to cool the air as much as just to dry it to make it more comfortable. I keep windows upstairs open as much as possible to let the heat rise from downstairs and vent. I've gotten to where I really don't like overly cooled air when I go into businesses. Some places almost seem cold.
I remember when I used to leave my air compressor 'on' all the time and it would cycle as it needed pressure. No more.
I limit my laundry loads and hang clothes to dry. I don't even have a dryer. Water heater is electric. Stove/oven is LP.
In winter, the t-stat that runs a LP forced air furnace is set at just around 60 degrees. I use sweat shirts and pants in the house most of the winter along with heavier socks, blankets, etc. I also use a small cast iron wood stove which coupled with a small fan or two does much better in keeping the house warm that I expected it could when I first got it. Even in cold spells, I can keep the furnace off for days at a time if I keep the stove stoked up. I open or close doors as necessary to 'zone' heated areas. Typically we don't get too far below freezing for more than a few days at a time, but it can (and has) gotten below Zero with snow and ice. I can get through a year on one fill of the 500 gallon LP tank if I pay attention to what I do.
Last winter, LP was around $1.80/gallon as I recall.
Electric is around 10 cents per kilowatt-hour plus some facilities charges. My usage is generally under 500 Kwhrs/mo with the bill coming in around the $60-70 range most months.
If I begin to think about making changes or installing something new, I always look at what it will cost to operate before I go further. In some cases 'new' means less cost to operate even if it costs a bit more initially (like the LED lights), so you end up saving over time.
Yeah, I'm kind of rambling.
I see people talking about installing things in homes, shops, outbuildings and whatever. I see people talking about the various costs to install those things with a few options mentioned. What I don't see is any talk of the cost of operating those things. I'm being vague because I don't want to point fingers or call attention to anyone. Installation is only part of the cost of things. It may or may not be the highest cost over time. And then there are the potential costs of repair or replacement.
People seem concerned about internet costs even though they can't really do much about it since most rural areas don't have more than one option, if that. Some areas don't have cell service at all and are blocked from a sufficient satellite view to go that route.
But I don't see any discussion of electric rates or usage despite people installing all sorts of high wattage devices. Nor do I see discussion of other heat source costs like LP or NG.
I do everything reasonably possible to keep operating costs down. I've switched to mostly all LED lights and put them on timers or photocells. I try not to use A/C to cool the air as much as just to dry it to make it more comfortable. I keep windows upstairs open as much as possible to let the heat rise from downstairs and vent. I've gotten to where I really don't like overly cooled air when I go into businesses. Some places almost seem cold.
I remember when I used to leave my air compressor 'on' all the time and it would cycle as it needed pressure. No more.
I limit my laundry loads and hang clothes to dry. I don't even have a dryer. Water heater is electric. Stove/oven is LP.
In winter, the t-stat that runs a LP forced air furnace is set at just around 60 degrees. I use sweat shirts and pants in the house most of the winter along with heavier socks, blankets, etc. I also use a small cast iron wood stove which coupled with a small fan or two does much better in keeping the house warm that I expected it could when I first got it. Even in cold spells, I can keep the furnace off for days at a time if I keep the stove stoked up. I open or close doors as necessary to 'zone' heated areas. Typically we don't get too far below freezing for more than a few days at a time, but it can (and has) gotten below Zero with snow and ice. I can get through a year on one fill of the 500 gallon LP tank if I pay attention to what I do.
Last winter, LP was around $1.80/gallon as I recall.
Electric is around 10 cents per kilowatt-hour plus some facilities charges. My usage is generally under 500 Kwhrs/mo with the bill coming in around the $60-70 range most months.
If I begin to think about making changes or installing something new, I always look at what it will cost to operate before I go further. In some cases 'new' means less cost to operate even if it costs a bit more initially (like the LED lights), so you end up saving over time.
Yeah, I'm kind of rambling.
