Reducing My Utilities (and Other) Bills

SCE's estimate tool gave me some interesting results so far a few days into the billing cycle it started of with the rainy days and thought I might get a $120 electric bill now I am down to $40 in all goes well that should fall fast.

No more rain in the forecast for at least the next 10 days.

Aaron

One more person as my office got their PTO... This means that they have gotten caught up. We have more who install was last week so, they have some time to go.

My 18 panels is the smallest system but, because of the roof facing my system is keeping up with the big dogs... 24 and 28 panels.

Not the one with 40 panels on a hillside.

Aaron

Great news, the sun has returned...

Yesterday was the best day yet -5.93 kWh net usage over 28 kWh of production. A few days ago the worst day since we own the system 22 kWh net usage and only 4 kWh of production, we had heavy rain that day.

The forecast is calling for sun for the next 10 days. I want to see my first month of over production.

Aaron

January Bill is in $27

Last year I was at $210 for the same period.

Even with the solar panel lease I am at less the $170 for the month and saved $40 over last year.

If it was not for all the rain in the beginning of the month it would have been less.

4 of the last 6 days I overproduced my more then 3 kWhs.

 

This months billing cycle is starting with rain as well.

I am hoping soon to have my first month of over production.  I am hoping March-June will all be over production.

Aaron

 

The new AC and Heat Units are in

With the new AC units in place I believe we should never climb out of Tier 2 billing rates for SCE even during the heat of summer.

The only major appliances that have not been replaced are the washer and dryer but, I am in no hurry on them. We have a gas dryer and a relatively efficient top loading washer.

I am looking for more ideas.

Aaron

New AC and heater are being installed

16.5 SEER AC unit with a 95.5% efficient heater. The old ones were dying and off season replacement is cheaper.

With this I hope to never see a bill out of tier 1 on SCE again.

That being said I am presently in tier 2 due to all the rain and the kids being on school break for two weeks. The only major appliances left are my washer and dryer (natural gas), no hurry for those. 

But when the sun is out my net usage is less then 4 KWH per day even with everyone at home.  

Aaron

Rain - Darn but Surprised (some interesting data)

The last two days we have had solid rain.

Minimal solar production.., at the same time I can not complain too much we did get an average of 5 kWh of production. That is more then 20% of our power even though it was a steady rain from solar.

The sun has been hiding out a bit today but we will get something between 15 and 20 kWh today.

So, if it is raining you seem to get 15% to 25% of your normal production and if it is overcast but not raining we seem to get between 25%-50% of the normal production.

Luckly it does not rain much here and I hope when it does it is in the middle of the night.

Aaron

 

 

November History daily averages

5.70 kWh per day in 2012

36.81 kWh per day in 2011

51.81 kWh per day in 2010

Good for my wallet, good for enviroment, good for the country...

Aaron

November Electric Bill

I am happy, every month I save money and help the enviroment and help energy independence...

$23 to SCE and $140 to SunPower = Total $163 vs $260 last year.

91% less dollars to SCE and 85% less usage

37% less total money spent.

November: Average Daily Usage: 5.69 kWh  Total Usage: 188 kWh

The early estimate for December is $15 I am hoping for less but that depends on weather and how much I will produce on the shortest days of the year.

Only thing left to do is schedule the AC replacement. Which should happen very soon.

Aaron

 

Happy Turkey Day

Net power usage after having the electric oven running for the day of only 12 KWh.

We are or track for about a $25 SCE bill (~85% less usage over last year). Even adding in the solar lease I will be at $165 a savings of over $110.

That makes it an even happier Thanksgiving.

Aaron