Spiky Bugger
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2014
- Messages
- 6,310
Munchkin In the past, you have inquired and I have had partial answers. I think I now have the “full story.”
We got our annual “settle up bill” today. Before you wonder if there was much saving going on...background:
1–our (winter) electricity costs:
a) $0.18/kWh for the first 318 kWh;
b) $0.23/kWh for usage from 319 - 1272 kWh;
c) $0.40/kWh from there on.
2–we need to pay $920.02 “settle up,” in addition to the $10.91 we have paid in monthly bills.
3–we are unrepentant HEAVY users of electricity. We breathe best when the indoor temps are 69-72°. The too-big pool has a variable speed pump, so that helps a lot. Our 35+ year old HVAC was replaced, that helps, too. But, the television is ALWAYS on...even when we are gone. (Lots of burglars roam our streets; we want them to think someone is home.). He’s usually on his laptop and I’m usually on one or two iPads. (Yes, I know. I may be a tad “over-connected.”)
4–the solar salesman told us we’d need 21 panels (at about $32k) to cover our usage. We bought 14 panels (about $21k), hoping that buying 67% of recommended would save us 67% of our electricity costs.
5–in figuring actual costs, factor in the 30% Federal Tax Credit...so the true cost of the panels to us was just under $15k.
Soooo...
PRE-solar, our annual cost was just over $3250. (+/- $271/mo.)
This year, our annual cost was $930.93. (+/-$78/mo.)
That means we saved $3250 - 931 = $2319.
That’s $2319 / $3250 = 71% savings.
If we continue to save +/- $2300/yr, our almost $15k investment will be paid for in 6.52 years from date of purchase. (Five years to go!)
We got our annual “settle up bill” today. Before you wonder if there was much saving going on...background:
1–our (winter) electricity costs:
a) $0.18/kWh for the first 318 kWh;
b) $0.23/kWh for usage from 319 - 1272 kWh;
c) $0.40/kWh from there on.
2–we need to pay $920.02 “settle up,” in addition to the $10.91 we have paid in monthly bills.
3–we are unrepentant HEAVY users of electricity. We breathe best when the indoor temps are 69-72°. The too-big pool has a variable speed pump, so that helps a lot. Our 35+ year old HVAC was replaced, that helps, too. But, the television is ALWAYS on...even when we are gone. (Lots of burglars roam our streets; we want them to think someone is home.). He’s usually on his laptop and I’m usually on one or two iPads. (Yes, I know. I may be a tad “over-connected.”)
4–the solar salesman told us we’d need 21 panels (at about $32k) to cover our usage. We bought 14 panels (about $21k), hoping that buying 67% of recommended would save us 67% of our electricity costs.
5–in figuring actual costs, factor in the 30% Federal Tax Credit...so the true cost of the panels to us was just under $15k.
Soooo...
PRE-solar, our annual cost was just over $3250. (+/- $271/mo.)
This year, our annual cost was $930.93. (+/-$78/mo.)
That means we saved $3250 - 931 = $2319.
That’s $2319 / $3250 = 71% savings.
If we continue to save +/- $2300/yr, our almost $15k investment will be paid for in 6.52 years from date of purchase. (Five years to go!)
