Why is the electric bill so high in old houses?

Question

The electric bill is near $600 a month during the winter months in my old house, but the electric bill in my friend's house (built 7 yrs ago) never tops $100. He doesn't conserve much either. Why is the electric bill higher in old houses?

Answer 1

old insulation

old windows made of glass and wood that aren't airtight

and inefficient heating systems (lousy electric baseboard heating)

Answer 2

There old lol they dont absorb and keep heat in as well and also the door/windows and stuff let out hot air

Answer 3

What type of water heater do you have, and does he have?  What kind of heat?  Lighting?  Oven?

Sounds like you have mare electric appliances which will spin the meter faster.  Try converting to as many gas appliances as possible and insulate the home real well.

Answer 4

because old houses have old boilers and stuff that needs more power which uses more energy so its better to change your boiler and stuff every 10 years.

Answer 5

well it depends on how old ur house is, if it is really old it could be because the wires and plug-ins r different from todays and it could take more to put electricity through to the outlets and such, if ur house isn't that old then it could be anything.(not that old meaning approx. 10 yrs.)

Answer 6

Are you heating your house with electric? I lived in a house built in 1860 and never paid more than $100/mo.

Answer 7

Single pane windows are for blocking wind, not keeping heat in.   Mice and squirrels do a job on packing insulation down and making it nearly worthless.   The orentation of your house makes a difference too - most windwos to the south or north?

Answer 8

My house was built in 1904.  So its a very old house.  I have the same problem.  But I have not yet reached $600.  You have to remember that in the old days they did not worry that much about making a house energy efficient like they do now a days.  Your windows are not sealed that good.  The insulation in your walls is not the high R factor as today.  I have found that I was getting a lot of cold air in from my base boards.  In addition, how old is your furnace, gas or electric doesn't matter that much anymore it's really up to which do you prefer.  Is it a newer model or from the old days.  And you have to check your door seals you can lose a lot of energy there too.  Also, if you have children that are in and out the door a lot that can increase a bill too.   It also depends on the square footage that you are trying to heat and cool.  Hope this helps you understand a little better.