Reeling over latest PEPCO bill, several questions
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Anonymous
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1) How much does a home energy audit cost? We live in a ~2400 sq ft townhome.
2) Any recommended home energy auditors? 3) We have original, single pane windows in our home. What's an average cost to replace windows with something more energy efficient on a townhome? 4) Any recommended window replacement companies? 5) What else should I be thinking about? For reference, our bill more than doubled what it was for last month (this month, it is over $400). Now 4 days into the billing cycle, our "projected" next bill according to PEPCO online is 450-750. I'm freaking out. Is this just normal? (We recently moved from an apartment, so maybe I'm just clueless?) Any answers/tips appreciated. |
Anonymous
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What do you have your heat set to? Do you turn it down when you're not home or at night? You can get a programmable thermostat to help you with that.
You can often get discounted audits through your utility provider. Not sure if PEPCO offers this. Your local government may as well. New windows are pricy- but there may be less expensive steps you can take (better sealing, weather stripping, covering with plastic, insulated curtains). Also check for drafts around your exterior doors. You can buy cheap foam inserts to go around your outlets to cut down on drafts around then. |
Anonymous
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What kind of heat do you have? Are you home all day using electricity or is everyone out of the house?
Replacement windows run the gamut on price. We did our last house and it was totally worth it. I think we got Bryn mawr windows for about $125 a window, but I am totally guessing at this point. Whatever you do, get multiple quotes and bargain with the sales guys without signing immediately. |
Anonymous
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Before you do an energy audit, check with Pepco and have the meters read. The fact that it doubled in one month sound suspicious. Sure, it's been a lot colder, but I would still double check with Pepco that the bill was accurate.
Second, it sounds like you already know the problem -- the windows. I'm not sure you need an energy audit if you can look around and assess some things on your own. New windows would probably make a huge difference, so get quotes. The other thing is to check seals around your doors. And also add some insulation in your attic. Honestly, those are the things an energy audit is likely to suggest. I think the windows are probably the biggest culprit. |
Anonymous
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9:22 here. I would also recommend a programmable thermostat. Set it for a low temp during the day when no one is home and a little higher for right before you generally get home.
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Anonymous
Original single pane windows are killing you. You can probably feel the cold coming in around the windows. I don't know a replacement window company but am sure you can find one here or on prince of petworth for recommendations. Also think about attic insulation if you have one. Make sure your HVAC is maintained and not pulling more power do to something as simple as dirty filter. I think Pepco will do an energy audit for free, check their website. If your in the city I think there is some organization that also does them cheaply if not free. If it is a brick interior row house in the city there is probably no insulation between brick and dry wall if you haven't renovated recently and if a flipper did it may not be there still. You can also think about trying to get some in there but it is expensive. Also get a programmable thermostat so your not leaving the house at 72 for > 8hrs when no one is home. If someone is home all the time, turn it down and put on sweaters even the kids |
Anonymous
| Get insulated curtains from over stock |
Anonymous
| OP here. Our thermostat has been at 72 consistently. Since its a townhouse, we've had issues with it getting super hot or super cold on the top floor, depending on the season. We have a nanny and toddler that are home during the day. Just put it down to 67. Thanks all for the useful suggestions. |
Anonymous
| Do you have a heat pump? |
Anonymous
| In a townhouse, you shouldn't need to have it set that high. |
Anonymous
Maybe you have leaky ducts |
Anonymous
+1 I live in a townhouse, and I keep mine at 67/68 in the morning and evening when we're home, 65 for sleeping and 64 during the day when we're out. It's still too warm in some of the upstairs rooms at night. If we're really having a cold day and we're at home, I just increase the heat for a bit. But check for air gaps, leaks, and new windows are great too. Make sure you have insulation in the attic. My stucco townhouse may be a bit ugly,but it's really well insulated! |
Anonymous
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What timing! I just opened my PEPCO bill, and it was also more than double last month's. In fact, it's the largest bill I've ever gotten. I have a small, old townhouse, and I usually set my heaters at SIXTY!
Is it possible that PEPCO screwed up? Are there more people getting giant bills? |
Anonymous
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Do any of you stay home during the day? If not turn it down when you are say at work for x hours. Get cheap space heaters, all have auto shut off btw, and use them in bed rooms/cold rooms instead of trying to get regular heating.
Then you can work what you can do long term. |
Anonymous
Don't space heaters suck a lot of electricity though? I thought I heard that. |