Why do people complain about the cost of running window AC units? How much did your bill increase?

Question

I see people complaining about the cost to run window AC units all day long and I'm wondering why... Yes, it does cost *something* to run them, but how much did you see your bill increase from it?

In my area it's looking like if I run one 50% of the time my electric bill will go up less than $20 a month. This doesn't seem bad to me... have others found it to be MUCH more expensive than this?

Answer 1

You should tell your dad to go ask somebody who has CENTRAL a/c in your neighborhood--somebody whose house is close to yours in size.... ask them how much THEIR June electric bill was.  If you live in an older part of town, where the house is only partially air conditioned, I guarantee you--your Daddy's electric bill is WAY less than it would be with central A/C.  trust me--I K N O W.  I live in a two story duplex that is approximately 1400 sq ft.  The place is OLD---as old as me almost--was built in 1968 and is NOT energy efficient or "green".  The A/C unit to boot is very old--probably ancient.  My electric bill is--on average--over $300 a month.  Many people totally and literally balk when they hear me say this.  A lot of my friends said NO WAY--something wrong over here... yada yada.  So Mom started asking around to other people who have houses around the age of the one I am renting.  Guess what?  Their electric bill is either higher or close to mine!  It is very frustrating because my Mom has a brand new, I mean NEW house--that is only three years old.  Lucky her--everything is energy efficeient, etc.  No--she did not get a "green" home--although she probably should have, as her average electric bill of $150-$180 a month would be even cheaper.  My goofy husband thinks my electreic bill would be a lot cheaper if we had a new thermostat. Hah!  i DON'T THINK SOOOO!    This house just obviously has crappy insulation, has ONE unit keeping both the up AND the down cool, yada yada.  I like this place because of the GOOD location--easy access, etc.  However, my NEXT place is just going to have to be a lot newer.  I can't afford these "monster sized" electric bills when our income is a meager $1100 a month!

Soooo.  Instead of getting irritated with your Dad--ask him if he had dome some "comparision research" around the neighborhood.  If he hasn't--encourage it.  He just might get curious and do it.  If not--then he is just doing it for the sake of something to complain about.  I notice that with the older generation--they tend to do this.  My mom included.  Drives me nutters, but its the way she is.  Oh well!  

Hope this helped ya some!

Answer 2

If you only have one unit..it wont be so bad..but if you have 4, your bill will double.

Answer 3

My dad complains all the time about me running my window AC unit. He says it costs him a lot extra, but I too am curious to know how much. It probably depends on the brand, size, and how clean you keep it.