Well first time here, and to give you my history I've been running 4 x 1000w, with the extras, for a couple years now. My electric bumped from an average of maybe 1100kwh/month to about 3100kwh/month. I'm not concerned about the cost, electric is cheap anyways here.
I recently added a second room, same everything, 4 x 1000w. I ran it for a couple days to estimate the usage, and holy crap. Its going to be over 5000kwh/month, every month. Probably 7000kwh in the summer.
I've done all the easy stuff - lights are 7w cfl, new washer/dryer, short shower with lowflow heads, insulate water heater, turn stuff off, etc. I also use the HPS heat in winter to heat my home, and run everything at night.
Its a 1200 square foot home, good insulation, windows, everything. So pretty small, but all electric. I've considered swapping my 11 seer heat pump for geothermal, but wont have the money (I've heard $20,000) for 2 months. I'm not sure they can dig up the yard for geothermal when the ground is froze in a couple months. I also worry about the technician needing in the house for the install. Actually, that scares the shit out of me. And would 20,000 in cash look shady?
I've survived so far by keeping off the radar, but I'm not so sure now. On the flip side, I've never heard of anyone getting busted by the electric around here, its a private company.
So what do you think? Am I pushing my luck?
I recently added a second room, same everything, 4 x 1000w. I ran it for a couple days to estimate the usage, and holy crap. Its going to be over 5000kwh/month, every month. Probably 7000kwh in the summer.
I've done all the easy stuff - lights are 7w cfl, new washer/dryer, short shower with lowflow heads, insulate water heater, turn stuff off, etc. I also use the HPS heat in winter to heat my home, and run everything at night.
Its a 1200 square foot home, good insulation, windows, everything. So pretty small, but all electric. I've considered swapping my 11 seer heat pump for geothermal, but wont have the money (I've heard $20,000) for 2 months. I'm not sure they can dig up the yard for geothermal when the ground is froze in a couple months. I also worry about the technician needing in the house for the install. Actually, that scares the shit out of me. And would 20,000 in cash look shady?
I've survived so far by keeping off the radar, but I'm not so sure now. On the flip side, I've never heard of anyone getting busted by the electric around here, its a private company.
So what do you think? Am I pushing my luck?
