October power use game!

Forsyth MO. - As the month of October 2019 drew to a close, it had turned out to be pretty typical one with the average daily temps running at about 61 degrees.

The average historical temp for that month was 57°F which was also a temperature that I could live without using the furnace! As a result, I was also winning a game I like to play each month - Beating the previous year's power use! Now, I realize I can't do that every month, but when I am looking at just a $65 electric bill, it didn't much matter either way....

At left is a graph of the months highs and lows as compared to last year. All in all, the area was averaging about three degrees warmer than  normal, which was mostly attributable to the slightly higher nighttime temps (Global warming?). This was a good thing as it kept my 1100 square foot condo pretty comfortable.

The daily graph of power used (in kilowatts hours) versus last year helped to validate that low electric bill.

Our Presidential choices are getting pretty clear!

Another slapped together work - I did want to draw some attention to candidate Warren, however, she's probably the best the Democrats currently have to offer... Sadly, she's only slightly less insane than those she's running against on the that ticket.... [Background song credit to Veela and that Mic Jagger guy.]

Tracking power use!

Forsyth MO. - Ever since I purchased a Sense power tracking device to replace my older TED unit, I've been on a crusade to save power each month. I track this effort, every month, by graphing the power I was using in kilowatt hours each day. Last year, in October, I averaged about 15 kWh's while this year, I was holding the line at 13 kWh's! But, was that power use going to hold up in 2019?

Looking at the temperatures in 2018, you can see that things took sort of a mini dive towards the end of October in 2018. Interestingly, while the 30 year average high and low was 70°F and 44°F respectively for October, I came in at a tad warmer at 70°F and 51°F. (That averaged out to 60°F which was about 3 degrees warmer than the normal of 57°F).  My best guess is that I will end up at about the same level which will translate into a $66 electric bill from Liberty Utilities.

My Electric bill sucked!

Forsyth MO. - It being winter and all, I'd expect my electric bill from Liberty - a Canadian owned company would be higher than on other more warm months. My bill is split to include the last half of one month and the first half of the next (if that appears to be a half-assed way to do things, it is). This money was to be billed in the middle of February 2019 and so helped to keep the customers somewhat confused...

So, in the later part of December 2018, things were pretty consistent while the first half of January could better be described as chaotic! So, what gives? Well, it all come down to a question of the perception of cold. Foe me, anytime the average temperature for the day is at or above 40 degrees, I tend to leave the furnace off and survive suing a pair of space heaters. When, however, the temps wander into the lower regions, I will most always kick on the furnace and suffer the much higher usage of power. That's pretty much what did happen in the first two weeks of January and I can tell you that things did not improve after the 15th! My bill of $133 was figured on a total KwH amount of 884 multiplied by .13006 cents with an added $18 charge to cover 'use fees' and ADP or additional dealer profit. And you know what? I could live with that excepting that the monies all go to Canada...