Is anyone aware of any Lowest Electric bills contests?

Hey Folks,

I was curious if there are any competitions or contests regarding lowest electric bills.

As an energy loss specialist/ SSL Mfg sales rep, I am an ardent proponent of logical energy use

and prudent use of resources- Especially keen on hearing about cases of where home owners

have cut their bills substatially - ie 40- 50%.

I myself have done this and now enjoy the benefits of a comfortable home, with a greatly reduced

carbon footprint, and big savings in my own utilty bills. The actions I've taken result in Very LOW

electric bills- My Oct bill $22.00 and they average $36. /monthly for a family of 3.

Obviously much better then my bills 5-6 years ago $70 monthly- Which is typical for our area

for an average sized home where Kwh rates are reasonable .10 cents ( some have a higher rate-

some only pay 8-9 cents - Its a good example of energy efficincies at a median sized place , median electric costs)- The low usage is like a strictly adhered to diet. I haven't seen many $50

comed bills maybe 3-4 a year -Last $60 bill back in 05! I would love to be part of a contest with other folks acheiving similar or better results!

As a discussion point does an energy loss analyst or an energy auditor need to show their

own usage reduction to illustrate their capabilities and credibility as solution providers?

Or put another way do people who claim the're energy efficient/Green lose credibility with

high utilty bills?

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Silas Inman on November 16, 2010 at 10:27am

I recently exhibited at an energy expo and was asked several times what my last electric bill was. I actually wrote an article about this recently. There is a project in Mass that is similar to what you are thinking about. It is only a pilot program at this point. They offer points for each kWh reduced. The points can be used for discounts on products. It's called Western Mass Saves my article is located at my wordpress blog if you are interested

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve Waclo on November 17, 2010 at 10:22am

OK McCarthy, you definately got my attention :-) !

I'm not aware of any contests regarding lowest electric bills (except between me and the guy across the street who is constantly in the $30 range while I languish in the low $50's).

I'll bite....how did you do it? May I assume PV generation played a big part?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dennis McCarthy on November 18, 2010 at 4:04pm

Its various things-newer windows and HV/AC , run thru a duct system that is sealed. Everything
is insulated + weathertight. Few things are plugged in unless needed.All those common sense
type things, that a prudent person does.
- And I USE Led LIGHTING - about 95% of my Lighting is SSL -
I am any Energy loss Analyst - So I should have low bills, for the sake
of credibility. It shows my customers that its approach and perserverance, most
folks can cut 25% energy use easily, they just need coaching, or a plan - like a kWh diet!
Btw
My use of solar is limited to yard lights, - I just consume in a frugal manor!!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve Waclo on November 18, 2010 at 6:00pm

Dennis:

At 10 cents/kWh in October, you must have used somewhere around 200 kWh (!!). My wifes hair dryer uses more than that every month :-). I am truly impressed and just hope you don't terrorize family members by constantly nagging them to turn things off...I trust you have a "positive reinforcement" program in place.

Below are 12 months of our usage. In the high desert of northern NV (Carson City) I can ventilate through the summer and, as you can see, use more electric energy in winter months.

(kWh) Charges

11/13/2010 437 $56.93
10/14/2010 364 $50.78
9/15/2010 430 $59.69
8/14/2010 445 $61.46
7/15/2010 414 $58.22
6/15/2010 407 $57.64
5/14/2010 377 $54.03
4/15/2010 441 $62.12
3/17/2010 415 $59.18
2/16/2010 447 $63.08
1/15/2010 567 $79.01
12/16/2009 475 $68.21
11/14/2009 379 $56.15

Also, looks like I'm paying closer to 14 cents/kWh (ouch).

You raised a good discussion point in your first post...how important (or appropriate) is it to volunteer your own energy/cost numbers to a potential client? I'm thinking I might not wear the numbers on my sleeve, but if you have an info packet you hand out, I believe those numbers, with details of your home, could be part of that. Intelligent, perceptive clients (the kind you prefer, right?) will notice and it could become a talking point.

Finally, at the risk of broadcasting my ignorance, what's this ?: "about 95% of my Lighting is SSL"

Steve

BTW: "frugal manor"...is that near Fawlty Towers:-)? Could not resist :-).

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dennis McCarthy on November 19, 2010 at 12:56pm

Steve Waclo said:

Dennis:

At 10 cents/kWh in October, you must have used somewhere around 200 kWh (!!). My wifes hair dryer uses more than that every month :-). I am truly impressed and just hope you don't terrorize family members by constantly nagging them to turn things off...I trust you have a "positive reinforcement" program in place.

Below are 12 months of our usage. In the high desert of northern NV (Carson City) I can ventilate through the summer and, as you can see, use more electric energy in winter months.

(kWh) Charges

11/13/2010 437 $56.93
10/14/2010 364 $50.78
9/15/2010 430 $59.69
8/14/2010 445 $61.46
7/15/2010 414 $58.22
6/15/2010 407 $57.64
5/14/2010 377 $54.03
4/15/2010 441 $62.12
3/17/2010 415 $59.18
2/16/2010 447 $63.08
1/15/2010 567 $79.01
12/16/2009 475 $68.21
11/14/2009 379 $56.15

Also, looks like I'm paying closer to 14 cents/kWh (ouch).

You raised a good discussion point in your first post...how important (or appropriate) is it to volunteer your own energy/cost numbers to a potential client? I'm thinking I might not wear the numbers on my sleeve, but if you have an info packet you hand out, I believe those numbers, with details of your home, could be part of that. Intelligent, perceptive clients (the kind you prefer, right?) will notice and it could become a talking point.

Finally, at the risk of broadcasting my ignorance, what's this ?: "about 95% of my Lighting is SSL"

Steve

BTW: "frugal manor"...is that near Fawlty Towers:-)? Could not resist :-).

John Cleese - big smiles - Basil!!- my kWh range was 130 lowest to 4 months right around 390 kWhs at worst, - SSL stands for solid state lighting! Thats Led lighting-
but - Quality Lighting - There is big range in quality out there- I only advocate quality Leds

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by James White on November 19, 2010 at 4:19pm

We are just now launching our "Reduce Your Use" contest here at Chelan County Public Utility District. I will be using the normalized energy verses average temperature plot discussed on the Building Simulations group to determine actual energy saved by the 10 finalists that are selected to participate in the contest.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dennis McCarthy on November 19, 2010 at 6:16pm

James White said:

We are just now launching our "Reduce Your Use" contest here at Chelan County Public Utility District. I will be using the normalized energy verses average temperature plot discussed on the Building Simulations group to determine actual energy saved by the 10 finalists that are selected to participate in the contest. - I hope you get Thousands of participants + I hope the finalists #s become the new median consumption #s relating to Therms and Kwhs purchased. The low kWh consumption is about how you use a resource.
Good example is leaking air ducts - most homeowners pay for conditioned air that goes to
waste, then they buy more energy ,-- fixing the waste, air infiltration saves alot-,Energy, & money

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rajesh Nerlikar on February 18, 2011 at 6:39am

Our Top Saver contest ends on Sunday, so if you have any customers who made more than a 22% reduction in their January 2011 bill compared to their January 2010 bill (electric or gas), have them sign up for free for a chance to win a $100 gift card!

www.energyflair.com/win-100-gift-card-january-top-saver-contest

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dennis McCarthy on February 18, 2011 at 7:47am

Rajesh,

Thanks for that info, Its hard for me to qualify - because of the low levels of use I enjoy-

- ie - 3209 total kWh used for all of 2010( for a family- not just 1 ) I have pretty much got it

down to a science.Most months we use between 4 to 8 kWhrs total.

However I am an energy loss analyst and come in contact with others trying to

achieve similar results. Contests with incentives like these are good for me to be able to tell others about-

They are just an additional benefit or motivational tool. So thanks again, Dennis

▶ Reply

RSS

Welcome to
Home Energy Pros

Sign Up
or Sign In

Or sign in with:

Home Energy Pros

Home Energy Pros was founded by the developers of Home Energy Saver Pro (sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) and brought to you in partnership with Home Energy magazine.