Frugal and Energy Efficient Living

randr

(12,521 posts)

33. We are on a peak demand meter

Reply to GreenPartyVoter (Original post)

Mon Mar 5, 2012, 06:07 PM

Mar 2012

We pay 9 cents per KWH during off peak hrs, 10:30am-4:30pm and 9:30pm to 6:30am. Peak times we are charged at 13 cents KWH.
I use programmable thermostats set at 68 during peak and 70 off peak. Only use them in two zones and turn the others off as we have a super insulated home with a sun room that heats the whole house when the sun shines. Wood stove backs us up when the temps stay in the teens all day and especially when the sun don't shine.
The programmable thermostats are almost a must have in my situation. For homes not on peak demand meters I am not so sure as it always best to try and maintain a constant temp rather than going up and down. When you increase the temp all the mass of the home is affected.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

35 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Cold weather Duers, what do you set your thermostat at during the day and at night? [View all] GreenPartyVoter Jan 2012 OP

I don't have all that fancy zone stuff. Curmudgeoness Jan 2012 #1

Yeah, I wear one of my hubby's quilted flannel shirts over my clothes, and like you I snuggle GreenPartyVoter Jan 2012 #2

Sigh. Shorts in the winter! Curmudgeoness Jan 2012 #4

Children have a different internal thermostat than adults. I can remember being much GreenPartyVoter Jan 2012 #5

Definitely PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTATS! mzteris Jan 2012 #3

we got a programmable around Xmas this year NMDemDist2 Jan 2012 #6

Yes! Hubby wasn't turning the bedroom down at all and I couldn't sleep because I was GreenPartyVoter Jan 2012 #9

I think you could use one as well but I have one and just do it manually maddezmom Jan 2012 #7

I'm in Maine so off is out of the question. It has been more humid than I have been used to in the GreenPartyVoter Jan 2012 #8

I hear you, I grew up in upstate NY maddezmom Jan 2012 #10

I am breaking my own rules that I taught my children. At the age of 70 I find I am cold much of the jwirr Jan 2012 #11

I understand needing to do that. My grandparents did too as they got older. Maybe it all balances GreenPartyVoter Jan 2012 #12

In Texas, the big cost of elec. is A/C. northoftheborder Jan 2012 #13

We don't have any thermostats, but we do have a thermometer Starboard Tack Jan 2012 #14

braggart maddezmom Jan 2012 #15

Teehee! nt Starboard Tack Jan 2012 #16

I live in a 2-bedroom mobile home, RebelOne Jan 2012 #17

That was our situation last year. Dead (oil) furnace in a mobile home. Not fun, but luckily we GreenPartyVoter Jan 2012 #20

Until about 2 years ago, I kept the windows open even if it snowed and the thermostat at 45 degrees. freshwest Jan 2012 #18

Oh my! That sounds so painful! Is there nothing else you can do for it other than GreenPartyVoter Jan 2012 #21

I have to use hot pads all day and part of the night. There's no cure and no RX will stop it. freshwest Jan 2012 #23

Well, we're talking about getting an air exchange system, but I need to GreenPartyVoter Jan 2012 #24

When I get Charlie horses, I just eat bananas Curmudgeoness Jan 2012 #26

No zones--65, pretty much. Wear a sweater. MADem Jan 2012 #19

We are out of pets at the moment, but I look forward to GreenPartyVoter Jan 2012 #22

+1! nt MADem Jan 2012 #25

On second thought, there is a thermostat in this house. It's in the water heater. dimbear Feb 2012 #27

That makes sense. We kept our electric water heater on 120, I think, mostly because GreenPartyVoter Feb 2012 #28

I wish they weren't so expensive. n/t dimbear Feb 2012 #29

Setting back by more than 10 degrees does not work Kolesar Feb 2012 #30

Bingo zipplewrath Mar 2012 #35

Our zones are pretty simple NEOhiodemocrat Feb 2012 #31

Another fan of programmables here. GoCubsGo Mar 2012 #32

We are on a peak demand meter randr Mar 2012 #33

I finally caved today and put on my A/C maddezmom Mar 2012 #34