[yorkietalkjilly]

Oh, my highest bill last summer was $258.00 'cause the unit ran so much but this year, I think we topped out at $165.00, as we had a much "milder" summer (for us) and we have an AC that has a larger evaporator pan inside the cooling unit or something like that to make it suck out more humidity, use less freon - I think that's what the subcontractor called it. It's a Crane or Trane or something but the subcon dickered with it, as he did our last one which lasted 18 years. It will freeze you stiff when it does come on so it doesn't have to run very long. I'm always cold in summer here unless I keep the thermostat at 80! We don't have cathedral ceilings or rooms of mostly glass, just floor-to-ceiling windows in some rooms & a 7' X 5' window in the den, plus the house is very tight, heat efficient, with double-paned windows, so thankfully not all of us have those $1,000.00+ electric bills. My highest gas bill in the winter is never ever over $100.00 - usually $50 - $65.00 Jan., Feb., except maybe the year of the Superbowl when I think it was $112.00 during that very cold month as the gas company had to buy extra gas & hit us hard. So unless you live in one of the very large homes with a lot of glass, high ceilings, kids running in & our doors and your house is energy-efficient, costs aren't bad down here. I've really very little reason to complain but I am so ready for fall. I just love the changing seasons and love that first really true cold spell here. Everybody is so juiced up & friendly & rushing around, calling out about the weather, all out & going about - it's a party down here when we get that first cold spell - like Christmas or something!