June Energy
In the Spring, Summer and Fall we typically use much less electricity than in the Winter.
Last year (2016) June and September were our lowest months. This year we are averaging about 100 kWh more each month which is a 10% - 15% increase. Most of this increase is because we are now running the basement mini-splits in dehumidify mode to reduce the moisture.
In June, for example, the temperatures were very pleasant and we didn't use any AC. However, we had 6.8 inches of rain and the average outdoor humidly was 83.6%. In the basement the humidity levels were even higher.
In the Spring, Summer and Fall we typically use much less electricity than in the Winter.
Last year (2016) June and September were our lowest months. This year we are averaging about 100 kWh more each month which is a 10% - 15% increase. Most of this increase is because we are now running the basement mini-splits in dehumidify mode to reduce the moisture.
In June, for example, the temperatures were very pleasant and we didn't use any AC. However, we had 6.8 inches of rain and the average outdoor humidly was 83.6%. In the basement the humidity levels were even higher.
In May and June we used 97 kWh and 54 kWh for dehumidification respectively. For the first half of July we are running at about double that rate. Going forward, I will have to anticipate using about 100 kWh per month for HVAC in the warmer months.
That being said, our energy use is still fairly low for an all electric home.
- May 997 kWh - 32 kWh/day
- June 866 kWh - 26 kWh/day
The Best Laid Plans ... or Mama and the Three Bears
When we were designing the house I didn't anticipate that humidity would be such a problem on the lower level. After all, it is a walk out basement with patio doors and large windows. I imagined that we would get plenty of fresh air through the doors and windows.
I did not anticipate the BEARS.
When we were designing the house I didn't anticipate that humidity would be such a problem on the lower level. After all, it is a walk out basement with patio doors and large windows. I imagined that we would get plenty of fresh air through the doors and windows.
I did not anticipate the BEARS.
Mama bear has again made her den somewhere just down the hill from the house (it is quite steep and heavily wooded so I haven't ventured down to look).
They visit several times a week and sometimes spend the night behind the woodpile or come up to the front porch to get a drink from the birdbath.
The cubs are so CUTE. There are actually three cubs but I can never seem to get a picture of all three together.
They visit several times a week and sometimes spend the night behind the woodpile or come up to the front porch to get a drink from the birdbath.
The cubs are so CUTE. There are actually three cubs but I can never seem to get a picture of all three together.
Mama especially enjoys rummaging through the carport to find things to play with. She likes scattering empty pots, dragging the garden hose off into the woods and chewing on bags of mulch.
She also seems to enjoy sitting in front of the heat pump and letting the hot air blow on her. I can't imagine this feels good but I'm not going to argue with Mama!
She also seems to enjoy sitting in front of the heat pump and letting the hot air blow on her. I can't imagine this feels good but I'm not going to argue with Mama!
 |  |
In Conclusion
So... getting back to the point; we don't leave any doors or windows open at ground level when we aren't in the room. It's better to spend a little more on HVAC than discover a confused/angry bear in the basement.
RSS Feed