Electricity in the middle of Winter always has a higher price tag for me because my Trailer is all electric. And I heat with a Heat Pump system. But this year is different. Something happened.
As I research why my electric bill has skyrocketed this season I keep seeing “data centers” pop up as a potential reason. Apparently, the demand for electricity is high for these data centers. That’s so disappointing because what can be done for the average residential customer?
I live in a home less than 500 square feet. If it’s costing me a high price to have heat in Winter, then what is it costing the average sized home? I take into consideration that my Trailer is not on a permanent foundation, there are opportunities for air gaps that can decrease the energy efficiency of my home. And of course the recent weather being extremely cold has not helped!
If the cost of electricity keeps going up, how are people going to afford it? The only thing I’m able to do is seal up cracks and air gaps that I can detect. Plus have my Heat Pump maintained by a Technician. But is there anything else that can be done?
That’s where Solar options enter the conversation. A lot of solar units can run $500-$1,000 or way more. I’m wondering if it would be worth it to outright buy the unit in hopes of saving on the cost of power as the years go on while the cost of electricity just keeps going up.
I will add it’s unkind to raise the cost of electricity in the middle of Winter. I do think they could have waited for a milder season before increasing everyone’s bill. Truth be told, a lot of families take care of babies and the elderly who generally must be kept warm. I can suffer the cold to an extent and put on extra layers of clothing. But for those with chronic health conditions and age-related needs, they must be more comfortable, especially in Winter.
I will be ordering a couple more bundles of bubble wrap for my windows to finish out this Winter Season. And beyond that, I’ll be getting the skirting of my Trailer re-done this year. But then what? At some point, if I have to pay extraordinarily high electric bills in Winter what else can I do to offset the expense. This may be the beginning of a journey into Solar. That may be a lot of money but might be the way to go.
If solar panels if you want sarah do it me and my siblings live in a three bedroom apartment and electric bill skyrocket so we cut the light off if we’re not using it so solar panels are your options go for it sarah
I’m hoping to find some affordable solutions. I’ve done a bit of research on solar but it seems out of reach due to cost. It seems like a luxury item to have solar. But maybe the up front cost could provide a long-term benefit over time. Not sure! Always a good idea to turn off lights when not using the room! I was raised like that and told often “turn off the lights”. Thank you for reading my Blog Article.
Ai is ruining a lot. Those data centers are probably for ChatGPT/ai usage! One of the reasons I don’t like it.
The world sure is changing fast! I feel like I’ve seen so many science fiction movies about what could happen when technology takes over. One thing’s for sure, my electric bill has certainly gone up these days! I’m looking forward to figuring out some solutions that can help make it more affordable. Thank you for reading my Blog!
I would deffo recommend solar panels.The initial costs are eye watering but within a year or so you will be making electricity from the natural sun that eill power your home and give extra to the grid which im sure they pay you for.Zif you can do it i do revommend it
It would be great to have a solar setup. I’m beginning the research to see what I can do. The idea of “FREE” power from the Sun would be a real savings option. My home is small and I unplug devices and turn off power strips at night to save a little. It seems the biggest expense is running the heat in Winter and air conditioning in Summer. But I’m sure there are other steps I can take to help with the drafts in my home which will also help cut down the amount of power I use.
I agree that the utility companies are being unjust in raising prices in peak usage seasons. They don’t care what the consumers think and need. Those who are elderly, living on fixed incomes, or disabled are forced to make sacrifices. As are other people. It’s very frustrating. I would suggest that you insulate behind your skirting when you redo it.
There’s definitely a problem with the cost of electricity. For everyone who has to be cold because they cannot afford a reasonable amount of heat in the middle of Winter, I truly wish it was different. We live in climate controlled environments and for so many people who face illness and need extra care, or have financial limitations, it certainly seems cruel to increase their bills. I cannot wait for Spring so everyone can get a break from outrageous bills!
If at all possible, when you have your skirting done on your mobile, put insulation up against the panels. I grew up in West Virginia and lived in several mobiles, my Dad would set them up for me, he always put some type of insulation against the panels, you would be surprised how much that helped. Also, when you put your bubble wrap on your windows, I suggest you take old t-shirts, jeans rtc. and put them on the bottom of the window if you have a place to put them, then take a clear sheet of plastic and put it over the entire window using tap or staples. Also, unplug everything you are not using, f small appliances, computer, TV rtc. it’s been proven that some of these things can pull electricity even if you are not using them. I agree with you, I live in Oregon not far from Mt. Hood, in a small mobile on a fixed income, the electric here has tripled in a year, my home is 600 sq ft, it’s a 1967, but fortunately it was top of line when built, but I still fall back on my old ways. Good luck, Sarah, I’m praying for you.🙏🕊
These are great suggestions, thank you for sharing them. Yes, it would be good to add insulation to the skirting. There’s a dampness that lingers because my Trailer is on “negative slope” so the water runs towards the skirting instead of away. There are a lot of projects I would like to do to improve my living situation. I’ve got small items plugged into power strips and turn them off when not using, it does help a lot. I want to learn how to put floors down so I can cover up the subflooring to help insulate. This month has been so challenging because it got too cold, especially with the wind chill. I’m looking forward to warmer weather ahead and hope to make progress on improving my home!
You think the solar panels cost a lot, wait till you buy the batteries. You can use car batteries but the best thing is deep cycle or lithium/iron batteries. I bought a set of 4 batteries and cables and it was 1200$ pull 500$ for the 400w solar panel. It’s a good back up source but 400 watts /120 volts=3.3 amps. It will run a fan and a couple lights, or a battery charger. As of the electric bill, I checked Germany which is 100% solar/wind and their electric bill is 600+ a month. I think we are paying for the solar farms but That’s just me. Pot planters with candles under them are cheap to run and provide a little heat. Kerosene heater is the most output but like propane, it burns and you need to vent the CO2 which is heaver than air so it settles on the ground but it can build up and hurt/kill you. Cracking a window lower than what you are sleeping/ sitting at will keep it vented. Hope and pray you all are well. Say hello to the gang. God Bless.
That’s very helpful information, thank you! I’m going to do the best I can with plugging up air gaps in my home to prevent heat loss. It would be nice to use a Kerosene heater. I’ve done that in the past and it was good and yes you are right about cracking a window to vent for it. I’ve often been cold in past living situations. One thing that’s really helped me in my Trailer is wearing wool items I got from the thrift store. When I find them, they seem better quality than “brand new” items. Dressing in layers really helps, too!
I put this in a comment on your last video. Hope this helps you.
Hey Sara. For your electric heat to work you have to turn it on by the thermostat. There should be a setting on the mode ac/heat, or other button that turns it on. A heat pump really doesn’t work if the outside temperature goes below 40 degrees. So in the dead of winter up high it will be below 40 degrees most of the time. The emergency heat turns on just the electric strips. It will quickly heat your house but your electric bill will be more. Running the heat pump when it’s not efficient will cost a lot too. I sure hope this helps. I see you had the manual for it. Read the part about your emergency heat and follow the steps. You and the crew, “Honey Bunny and Mr Turtle” and big man stay warm now.Also try to get your under pinning up as soon as you can. It helps block the wind from cooling your floors. Take care and God Bless +.
I appreciate it, thank you very much for this info!!