Ppls Gas Bill - $322.-- 1300 sqft high ceilings, WTF?!
01-20-2009, 02:28 PM
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It's not magic - <edit with comparative data>
Heat loss properties of your building combined with efficiency of your furnace and indoor temp = actual BTU consumption based on outdoor temp. Some furnaces are very poor from an efficiency standpoint. You might also have an operational problem.
Don't forget water heating efficiency as well as how much cooking gas you consume. If I forget and leave the gas grill on overnight, I know it's going to cost me $15 extra each month...
And also consider thermostat location. If you set it at 68 and the stat is on an outside wall, you'll likely have a higher indoor temp than the indicated temp on the stat.
One other thing - sometimes the utilities will send an "estimated bill" every-other month and it will balance out once you get one that says "actual reading". Or maybe not - it has been mighty cold around here lately.
For comparison - 3200sf house @ avg 67-68 (five zones from 62 to 70)plus 960 sf garage at 50.
Sept 18 - Oct 20 = 105.92 (estimate)
Oct 20- Nov 19 = $13.75 (actual)
Nov 19- Dec 20 = $273.00 (estimate)
My guess is that the next bill will be around $400, but I won't know until next week.
House has R-19 in walls, R-30+ in ceiling and insulating glass. 94% AFUE GFA and 90% AFUE boiler.
Garage has R-11 in the walls, R-19 in ceiling and an insulated door. 84% AFUE unit heater.
Don't forget water heating efficiency as well as how much cooking gas you consume. If I forget and leave the gas grill on overnight, I know it's going to cost me $15 extra each month...
And also consider thermostat location. If you set it at 68 and the stat is on an outside wall, you'll likely have a higher indoor temp than the indicated temp on the stat.
One other thing - sometimes the utilities will send an "estimated bill" every-other month and it will balance out once you get one that says "actual reading". Or maybe not - it has been mighty cold around here lately.
For comparison - 3200sf house @ avg 67-68 (five zones from 62 to 70)plus 960 sf garage at 50.
Sept 18 - Oct 20 = 105.92 (estimate)
Oct 20- Nov 19 = $13.75 (actual)
Nov 19- Dec 20 = $273.00 (estimate)
My guess is that the next bill will be around $400, but I won't know until next week.
House has R-19 in walls, R-30+ in ceiling and insulating glass. 94% AFUE GFA and 90% AFUE boiler.
Garage has R-11 in the walls, R-19 in ceiling and an insulated door. 84% AFUE unit heater.
