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In reply to the discussion: Do Americans Know What a Massive Ripoff American Life Really Is? [View all]Sympthsical
(9,072 posts)On about 3,400 sq ft. Now granted, we live in NorCal, so the weather's a bit more amenable to it. On days we know it'll be hot, we open all the windows overnight, then close up the house in the morning when it's cool, draw the blinds/curtains, etc., and don't let the hot air in. On 100+ days, we do the same, but we might run the AC for an hour or two with the same set up, then turn it off. When we're uncomfortable, fans. I have a woozoo on my desk blowing in my face when I'm home working. Along with ice water, that does for me even in upper 90s. It's not amazingly super comfortable, but I am also not paying PG&E a ton of money.
In winter, close up at night, then open all the blinds and curtains to let in sun for heat during the day (assuming it's around). If it's super cold in the house in the morning, flip on a space heater only in the room you're going to be in, and only then long enough to take the chill off.
Our PG&E bill last month was $107. If we're not using something, it's turned off.
When I lived in the Midwest with the summers and winters, I paid a bit more for AC with the humidity and heat in those winters. But even then, I never came anywhere near the numbers he's citing. He's citing $500-$1000 as averages for Americans. That is an unbelievable figure.