I live in a 1200 sq ft apartment in suburban NJ, and everything I use is electric—my stove, air conditioning, water heater, and laundry. Recently, the energy companies in my area raised their prices by 17%, and now my electric bill has shot up to over $400 this month. It's interesting because my parents live in a much larger home with some gas appliances, yet their bill is about the same.
Currently, my daily kWh usage is around 49, while last year around this time it was only 40. July has been really hot this year, and we keep our AC set to 72°F, plus we have large windows. Given these facts, I'm wondering if this increase in usage is due to a leak in my apartment, or if this is just the new normal for having all-electric appliances?
3 Answers
It sounds like a combination of factors. If you’re cooling your apartment with leaky windows while keeping the AC at 72°F, that can really drive up your bill. Have you thought about sealing those leaks or using window coverings to keep the heat out? That could make a difference!
The drastic increases are likely just from the heat and the higher rates. PSEG raised their prices recently, which affects everyone. Just to give you some context, at about 49 kWh a day, you're looking at a bill close to $441, so it sounds about right. Maybe consider using solar shades if you have south-facing windows to block some heat?
Yep, it’s definitely frustrating! With everything electric and the recent rate hikes, it makes sense why your bill is so high. Just remember, the hotter it gets outside, the harder your AC has to work to cool things down, so comfort comes at a price.
Yeah, I've read about those shades helping out a lot during hot summers! It'll really cut down on how much heat gets in.