2200 square feet - $250 but here's the mf'ing catch - i keep the AC at 83 in the day (while i sweat profusely and work from home) and a cool 78 at night. my house is an oven. and this oven is brutal. i finally had EAS come out last week to investigate my current insulation levels and to get a quote on radiant barrier. I have R-12 (4 inches of insulation) in a Houston, TX home. I'm hoping this is the cause. They're adding R-30 (16 more inches of insulation) and the radiant barrier spray in the next 7 days. I can't wait to see if this will keep by energy bills down while actually allowing me to live like a human being in my own home.
The R-30 should help. I'm pretty sure that's the recommended amount. How much is the radiant barrier spray going to cost?
2500 ft² May: $175 June: $310 Startex Power Just had a new roof, radiant barrier, and a ridge vent installed in late May. I think my bill would be much lower if it weren't for my wife and newborn being home on maternity leave. My bill is roughly the same as it was this time last summer...only the a/c is now on 24/7.
I was actually surprised my bill wasn't higher. My house is about 4100 sq ft. My bill for June was about $270 (TXU). House was built in 2007.
I'd be interested in knowing as well. I'm pretty much in the same situation. My house is always hot and never cools down until its dark.
Entergy probably runs about 2 weeks behind everyone else. I just paid $136 for May, and I haven't received my bill for June yet. I have a 1860 sq ft house, built in 1965, the thermostat is set at 78F during the day, 72F at night, and 82F when I'm gone for a while.
TXU Last Month: $320 Square Feet: 2400 Setting: 73 - 74 degrees when I'm home; 76-77 degrees when I'm not home (for animal comfort) Have Pool: Yes (run pool pump for seven hours a day) Obviously, rates are lower this summer. Same bill last year would have been at least $100 more. As long as I'm employed, I'm going to run the A/C at a comfortable temperature...versus being uncomfortable in my own home. If I was unemployed, then I would probably sweat to the oldies at 82 degrees or something. I was listening to some radio DJ talk about how he keeps his A/C at 64 degrees no matter what during summer regardless of expenses. lol
I think my radiant barrier/insulation job was $1900 for 2800 sq.ft, but, I was trying to set up the the 12 month no-interest Home Depot Card to charge it but they charged it to my Discover card I had given them for a deposit. When I disputed the charge, they never even responded ... so mine was free! The house does seem a lot easier to heat and cool (but the entire back of my house is sliding glass doors). $308 for 77 degrees constant as per yesterday's bill From Stream Energy. I'd say I'm saving about $50-70 a month from the radiant barrier but I change enerdy companies at the same time so I can't really tell where the savings are coming from.
I have one unit for two zones (upstairs and downstairs). I don't think my ac could even do that. It is pretty much running all the time just trying to keep up with 77 in the day.
Did you use EAS for your radiant barrier, i.e. the spray-on radiant barrier? I've heard questionable reviews on that form of radiant barrier. I was going to do it but I changed my mind. Also, don't worry....you will end up paying for it sooner or later.
Nah, it's been over two years. I called and called but never got past some teeny girl answering the phone. They just wouldn't talk to me or call back . Then they had that bookeeper that got arrested for embezzling $4 million bucks. If I had it to over I would use the tack up foil. I did need the insulation too but I'm glad it was free.
934 Sq Ft Condo $42, CPS Energy (San Antonio) 79 degree when I am home 5 to midnight...bumped up to 81 when i am usually already asleep midnight to 6 am...and to 85 degrees 7 to 5. Also installed energy efficient bulbs for everything...
The spray is costing me $700 for 1131 square feet of attic space with a roof pitch of 5x12. I wanted to go with the foil - but i was told it would be much more expensive - and the foil can't get in to the crevices of an attic like the spray can. but the foil offers 97% protection while the spray only 78% (i think?) regardless - i gotta think that having R-41 insulation protection and radiant barrier spray has to do something to alleviate the constant pain I feel of working/living in an oven all day/night long.
This is what my house has been like for the past several months. If you haven't done so - have your insulation levels checked (especially if you have an older home - like I do - built in 1982... i've never had the insulation checked until recently - and i've owned this home for 5 years. who knows when the last time insulation was added to the attic? maybe not since the original construction date?)
