Easy Way To Save On Home Aircon Bill

[Tukaram (Tim)]

We moved into our house in the middle of a billing cycle, then we bought this contraption in the middle of a billing cycle... so it took a few months to get actual prices on our bill.

 

A little about our house(s).  We built on her uncle's land so instead of getting a sub-meter I told him I would pay his electric bill - after all we use his land for free for our house.  His bill averages p800 a month. They have a fridge, 2 fans, a TV, and lights only at night.  We have fridge, 3 fans, lights all day, TV, 2 computers (we have more but only 2 on at a time), and an aircon running at night.  I would turn it on about 8 or 9 pm and turn it off when we woke up, 7-10 am.  It ran way too much - 10 to 12 hours easy.

 

So we bought an aircon timer for p1,300 (I think?).  It is pretty good.  The regular plug (for the fan) is on a N/C switch. The aircon plug is on a N/O switch. When you set the timer the aircon is energized, fan de-energized.  When the timer cycles the aircon is de-energized and the fan is energized. Now, with the timer I turn it on about 9 or 10 pm and set it for 5 or 6 hours. We cut our aircon use in half. If it goes off at 3 or 4 in the morning the fan is more than enough once the house is cold.

 

For one full month of use without the timer our electric bill for both houses was p5,200. 

 

We just got our bill for the first full month with the timer, it was p3,600. 

 

That one bill more than paid for the switch!  We cut p1,600 off the bill. The temp has been about the same... the dead of summer... so these should be our most expensive months. I realize one month on each setup is hardly scientific, but we can't gather more data as I am not disconnecting the timer ha ha  In any case I would say this switch is worth the cost.  Even if it takes 2 months to pay for itself, it would still be a good savings on the bill. (now we shall see how long the switch lasts)  :tiphat:

 

[mogo51]

I think you will find that month will set the precedent and only get less as the cooler months arrive.  A good idea.

[Jollygoodfellow]

Not sure what type airconditioner you have but I thought most newer type have the time setting on the remote. Well mine does anyway but never used it as if I have it on I wake up and turn it off.  :tiphat:

[Larry45]

Good idea, but your bill seems a bit high, either way.  We run almost the same items as you, including 12 hours a day A/C, and end up with 320-340 kwh/month.  At p10/kwh...it averages p3300 / month.  If your rates are similar, you might have a problem somewhere.  Maybe a friendly mention of installing a sub-meter might lower your bill even more  :)

[Tukaram (Tim)]

The p3,600 is for 2 houses.  When we lived in the city our bill was at least that just for our apartment.  Our rate here is closer to p12, unfortunately... Iloilo has been reported to have among the highest electric rates in the Philippines - lucky me ha ha

[jpbago]

lights only at night.  We have fridge, 3 fans, lights all day,

 

Why do you have lights on all day?

[scott h]

Why do you have lights on all day?

 

On the house alter

[Dave Hounddriver]

Why do you have lights on all day?

Perhaps he is one of those Linux users.

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(No Windows . . . .  grooooooaaaaan)

[Tukaram (Tim)]

 

lights only at night.  We have fridge, 3 fans, lights all day,

 

Why do you have lights on all day?

 

 

So I can see.  :)  I like to read and natural light is not bright enough, inside the house.

[jpbago]

 

 

lights only at night.  We have fridge, 3 fans, lights all day,

 

Why do you have lights on all day?

 

 

So I can see.  :)  I like to read and natural light is not bright enough, inside the house.

 

 

 OK, good. I thought that maybe you were growing something.