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How We Lowered Our Electric Bill By 60% by Christopher Foos
| This is a true story of how small changes can make a huge difference in a family's life. It explains how the Foos family ends up with an extra $382.50 in their pockets each month. The money didn't appear overnight. No! In fact, it took months of research and work to make this possible, and that is why this story has to be told. All of the research and work has been completed already, and now it is time to share the knowledge so other families can enjoy the extra money NOW; not later!!!! |
| We hope our story will inspire you to explore the complete series on "How to Lower the Electric". |
Our Story:
It was 2004 when, I, Chris Foos was retrieving mail from the mailbox. At this very time, my neighbor
was also checking his mail. While making small talk and opening my electric bill, I made a comment
about how the electric companies were stealing from us. This is when he looked at me with a
confused expression on his face. I let him know what my amount due was, and at this time, the
uncontrollable laughter started! See, we live in similar sized homes, and when he told me that his bill
(same electric company) was half the amount of mine, I knew something was wrong! All of these
years I assumed my high electric bill was normal, but boy was I ever wrong!
was also checking his mail. While making small talk and opening my electric bill, I made a comment
about how the electric companies were stealing from us. This is when he looked at me with a
confused expression on his face. I let him know what my amount due was, and at this time, the
uncontrollable laughter started! See, we live in similar sized homes, and when he told me that his bill
(same electric company) was half the amount of mine, I knew something was wrong! All of these
years I assumed my high electric bill was normal, but boy was I ever wrong!
This is when I went searching on the Internet for the exact answers we are providing on this site. It
nearly took me 10 hours to find out how to read an electric meter, read my electric bill, what all of
the terms that electric providers used, etc... It was extremely frustrating, but when I finished my
research, I was completely amazed at the findings, and why it is so crucial I share my story and
experience!
nearly took me 10 hours to find out how to read an electric meter, read my electric bill, what all of
the terms that electric providers used, etc... It was extremely frustrating, but when I finished my
research, I was completely amazed at the findings, and why it is so crucial I share my story and
experience!
The first thing I noticed on my electric bill is where it gave information on how my electric meter was read. It indicated an "E", which stands
for estimated. Estimated and Averaged is designated for people who do "Averaged out Billing" (which I do not recommend). I have always been
on a straight, per kWh plan. This is when I searched on how to read my electric meter. One hour later, I was out writing down my readings and
saw that my bill and meter reading was off by more than 25,000 kWh! To save you the long, drawn out conversations with the electric company,
they admitted to not physically checking my electric meter in over 3 years! They figured an average from usage in July and March of 2001 (living
in Texas, July is HOT)! While this confrontation was being played out, I noticed a fee for $34 charged on my "Other Fees" section. It was labeled
"Wind Energy Contribution" on my bill. When I asked what this was, I was told that I volunteered to donate to the West Texas Wind Energy
Consortium. I am all for increasing the use of renewable energy, but never did I volunteer $34 a month to help!
for estimated. Estimated and Averaged is designated for people who do "Averaged out Billing" (which I do not recommend). I have always been
on a straight, per kWh plan. This is when I searched on how to read my electric meter. One hour later, I was out writing down my readings and
saw that my bill and meter reading was off by more than 25,000 kWh! To save you the long, drawn out conversations with the electric company,
they admitted to not physically checking my electric meter in over 3 years! They figured an average from usage in July and March of 2001 (living
in Texas, July is HOT)! While this confrontation was being played out, I noticed a fee for $34 charged on my "Other Fees" section. It was labeled
"Wind Energy Contribution" on my bill. When I asked what this was, I was told that I volunteered to donate to the West Texas Wind Energy
Consortium. I am all for increasing the use of renewable energy, but never did I volunteer $34 a month to help!
Through my hours of research (which we are trying to spare you), my persistence, and patience in letting the electric company do their work,
we were credited back for over 49,000 kWh at various rates (My rate fluctuated over the years); this came up to $8,323!!!! Now the $34
volunteered fee was removed, but not credited back because I could not prove that I didn't volunteer the donation (this was upsetting, but I
had to choose my battles). By taking my time to investigate and working with my electrical provider, I saved myself, including the removal of the
donated fee, over $150 a month, or 30% off what I was paying. Also, with that credit, we went without a monthly bill for over 48 months!!!!
we were credited back for over 49,000 kWh at various rates (My rate fluctuated over the years); this came up to $8,323!!!! Now the $34
volunteered fee was removed, but not credited back because I could not prove that I didn't volunteer the donation (this was upsetting, but I
had to choose my battles). By taking my time to investigate and working with my electrical provider, I saved myself, including the removal of the
donated fee, over $150 a month, or 30% off what I was paying. Also, with that credit, we went without a monthly bill for over 48 months!!!!
This is just the beginning, but let us take a pause and show you where we are at on figures:
Started with $510 monthly bill. $510 - $34 = $476 / 30 days = $15.87 / 24 hrs. = $0.66 / $0.18 per kWh = 3.67 kWh per hr.
- after electric company made correction -
Revised bill of $360. $360 / 30 days = $12 / 24 hrs. = $0.50 / $0.18 per kWh = A much closer 2.78 kWh per hr makes it a
30% Saving!
With the battle won, Mrs. Foos was not satisfied (already was spending our savings in her mind). She knew, after the
research we did, that we were still spending too much! We got out a piece of paper, pencil, and headed back to the electric
meter. We took a current reading and then headed towards the breaker box. There, we turned everything off except for the
a/c unit and back to the electric meter to take another reading. Next was the refrigerator, then the washer, the water
heater, and so on.... Later, after 10 or more trips back and forth, we did it a room at a time until we knew exactly what and
how much we were spending on each area or appliance.
After another day or two of researching how much electricity things are suppose to use, we had compiled a list of changes
all four of us were going to make on a daily basis. The wife also gave me a separate list, the credit card, coupons (Secret -
Home Improvement stores usually have a 20% off coupon in "Change of Address" packages at the Post Office), and sent me out
to the store. I bought attic insulation, caulk for the windows and doors, a bulk package of a/c filters, two whirly birds for the
roof, solar screens, door switches for all closets, and insulation for the garage door. I spent a total of about $750(remember
that we didn't have an electric bill and are used to spending $510 a month any way. So the additional $240 was nothing).
Started with $510 monthly bill. $510 - $34 = $476 / 30 days = $15.87 / 24 hrs. = $0.66 / $0.18 per kWh = 3.67 kWh per hr.
- after electric company made correction -
Revised bill of $360. $360 / 30 days = $12 / 24 hrs. = $0.50 / $0.18 per kWh = A much closer 2.78 kWh per hr makes it a
30% Saving!
With the battle won, Mrs. Foos was not satisfied (already was spending our savings in her mind). She knew, after the
research we did, that we were still spending too much! We got out a piece of paper, pencil, and headed back to the electric
meter. We took a current reading and then headed towards the breaker box. There, we turned everything off except for the
a/c unit and back to the electric meter to take another reading. Next was the refrigerator, then the washer, the water
heater, and so on.... Later, after 10 or more trips back and forth, we did it a room at a time until we knew exactly what and
how much we were spending on each area or appliance.
After another day or two of researching how much electricity things are suppose to use, we had compiled a list of changes
all four of us were going to make on a daily basis. The wife also gave me a separate list, the credit card, coupons (Secret -
Home Improvement stores usually have a 20% off coupon in "Change of Address" packages at the Post Office), and sent me out
to the store. I bought attic insulation, caulk for the windows and doors, a bulk package of a/c filters, two whirly birds for the
roof, solar screens, door switches for all closets, and insulation for the garage door. I spent a total of about $750(remember
that we didn't have an electric bill and are used to spending $510 a month any way. So the additional $240 was nothing).
The Daily List: Each person had their own responsibilities such as, making sure blinds and curtains were shut during the day, shower time limited, all computers were
shut down, televisions off, stereo equipment unplugged, lights out, etc...
Over the course of a year through trial and error, we all settled into the changes. Also, after several more trips to the hardware store and maybe another $500 worth of
materials, we were finally seeing our energy usage go from 2.78 kWh to around 1.9 kWh. Things were looking better to the wife!
Where were we at in 2006?
2004 bill was $360, using 2.78 per hour at $0.18 per kWh.
2006 - 1.9 kw per hour x 24hrs = 45.60 kw per day x 30 days = 1,368 kilowatts per month x $0.18 per kWh = $246.24/mo
2008 came around and we had slowly been learning new ways to shave a few more kilowatts here and there, which stretched our credit a little further. That credit was
running out though, 4 more months left to be exact! Then on Thanksgiving Day, watching the Dallas Cowboys game, I saw it. It was a commercial for a power company
promoting some new plan. The plan was not what grabbed my attention, but the power company itself. THERE WERE OTHER COMPANIES OUT THERE! Since I moved into my
first place, I had been using the same electric provider. It never once occurred to me that there was competition out there. The next day I got out the phone book and
started making calls. Within half an hour I was a proud new customer of another electric company with a $0.07 kWh rate! On top of this, after cancelling service with my
other provider (the new company did this for me), I received a check for $720 (remaining balance of my credit).
It is now 2011 and we are like everyone else, paying the electric bill. Though this story doesn't happen to everyone, it does happen (more often than you think), and with
the tips and suggestions we provide on this site, this can be your story!
Final Outcome!
Started in 2004 with a $510 monthly bill and a $0.18 per kWh rate.
2011 - 1.6kw an hr x 24hr x 30 days x $0.07 per kWh = $80.64 per month! Well over a 60% savings each month!
shut down, televisions off, stereo equipment unplugged, lights out, etc...
Over the course of a year through trial and error, we all settled into the changes. Also, after several more trips to the hardware store and maybe another $500 worth of
materials, we were finally seeing our energy usage go from 2.78 kWh to around 1.9 kWh. Things were looking better to the wife!
Where were we at in 2006?
2004 bill was $360, using 2.78 per hour at $0.18 per kWh.
2006 - 1.9 kw per hour x 24hrs = 45.60 kw per day x 30 days = 1,368 kilowatts per month x $0.18 per kWh = $246.24/mo
2008 came around and we had slowly been learning new ways to shave a few more kilowatts here and there, which stretched our credit a little further. That credit was
running out though, 4 more months left to be exact! Then on Thanksgiving Day, watching the Dallas Cowboys game, I saw it. It was a commercial for a power company
promoting some new plan. The plan was not what grabbed my attention, but the power company itself. THERE WERE OTHER COMPANIES OUT THERE! Since I moved into my
first place, I had been using the same electric provider. It never once occurred to me that there was competition out there. The next day I got out the phone book and
started making calls. Within half an hour I was a proud new customer of another electric company with a $0.07 kWh rate! On top of this, after cancelling service with my
other provider (the new company did this for me), I received a check for $720 (remaining balance of my credit).
It is now 2011 and we are like everyone else, paying the electric bill. Though this story doesn't happen to everyone, it does happen (more often than you think), and with
the tips and suggestions we provide on this site, this can be your story!
Final Outcome!
Started in 2004 with a $510 monthly bill and a $0.18 per kWh rate.
2011 - 1.6kw an hr x 24hr x 30 days x $0.07 per kWh = $80.64 per month! Well over a 60% savings each month!
