Electric Usage

clev · 06-20-2019, 04:44 PM

For the first time in over 45 years of RV'ing, I find myself in a 'pay my own' electric situation. Monthly lot rent plus electric. To check on how energy efficient my DRV is, I need to ask for comparisons.

We have a western shade spot here in South Houston, but the temp has remained middle to upper 90's; heat index >100. We keep both AC's set at 76 and with the really good ceiling fan, that's comfortable for us. I use electric to run the fridge during the day as it seems to handle day time heat better than gas; I switch to gas at night. I have induction stove, which puts out very little heat, and cooks quickly; usually cook only dinner, and use microwave a couple of times a day. Elaborate sound/surrond system and tv.

Paid my first bill on 19 Jun for 24 May - 19 June (25 days) and used 816 kWh, ~33/day. They charge 16 cents per kWh; total $130.56.

So, how does that compare to what you're paying?

Walker · 06-20-2019, 10:43 PM

From May 5 to June 5 we used 1141.36 Kilowatts. Rate is 11.17cents per or .1117 per kilowatt.
We are in North Georgia, close to Cleveland Ga, semi shaded site. It didn't rain for the entire 4 weeks, and temps ran low to mid 90's and humidity in the 55-75% area. We ran 2 of the 3 AC's set on 69*- Kitchen/Living Room and 71* Bedroom. 3rd AC was never turned on. The water heater is on Electric as well as gas.
No solar to help out. The park we stay at includes the first $75of the electric bill in its site rent.
Memphis Floorplan

clev · 06-21-2019, 12:16 AM

Wow, 69 & 71 would freeze me to death. We have thermometers in the living area and bedroom, and my 76 setting is pretty dead on. Does your RV actually get down to 69 degrees? So, based on your big Memphis at >1100, my >800 ain’t too bad. Thank you, Walker.

rynosback · 06-21-2019, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clev

Wow, 69 & 71 would freeze me to death. We have thermometers in the living area and bedroom, and my 76 setting is pretty dead on. Does your RV actually get down to 69 degrees? So, based on your big Memphis at >1100, my >800 ain’t too bad. Thank you, Walker.

My rig will cool to 69 no problem. As we like to sleep in the cool air. In the times that we have had to pay for electric, I have ranged from $72 to $13o for the month. But I also keep AC set to 72. You would have to look at kWh vs total costs as the price per kWh will vary from every place.

Walker · 06-21-2019, 01:35 AM

If we turn on the 3rd AC it will cool down to the set temps. Our AC's and thermostats run 3-4 degrees warm.

MnP · 06-21-2019, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clev

For the first time in over 45 years of RV'ing, I find myself in a 'pay my own' electric situation. Monthly lot rent plus electric. To check on how energy efficient my DRV is, I need to ask for comparisons.

We have a western shade spot here in South Houston, but the temp has remained middle to upper 90's; heat index >100. We keep both AC's set at 76 and with the really good ceiling fan, that's comfortable for us. I use electric to run the fridge during the day as it seems to handle day time heat better than gas; I switch to gas at night. I have induction stove, which puts out very little heat, and cooks quickly; usually cook only dinner, and use microwave a couple of times a day. Elaborate sound/surrond system and tv.

Paid my first bill on 19 Jun for 24 May - 19 June (25 days) and used 816 kWh, ~33/day. They charge 16 cents per kWh; total $130.56.

So, how does that compare to what you're paying?

Clev,
Your usage is about what ours run under the same circumstances. We keep both of our AC units set at 76. Have a residential fridge and run the hot water heater on electric. We use 800 - 1000 KWH per month in the summer depending on weather.

clev · 06-21-2019, 02:11 AM

Thanks for the replies. My AC’s cycle on and off periodically throughout the day at 76, but at a setting of 69, in the high 90’s, I don’t know if they would ever kick off. But from what I’m understanding, my usage of 816 is pretty typical.

The Gritz Carlton · 06-21-2019, 11:52 AM

A good friend of mine works for a traveling electrical contractor...he told me there's a trend going where many campgrounds...even the "stay by the night" parks are starting to install metered electricity at select site...mostly the bigger and pull throughs. A given amount will be included each 24 hour period with a premium paid for any overage of that amount. It's a result of campers in general becoming so huge with multiple A/C's and everything electric...as in the water heaters, electrical cooking options, people using portable heaters versus their gas furnace, etc. They say, it's the alternative to raising rates in general, as the high users can pay for it and the "normal campers" (if there's such a thing) will not have to. It will keep them competitive with other CG's in the area. The rates they charge are 3-4 times what would be normal for a stick & brick home.

Porthole · 06-21-2019, 01:13 PM

Weren’t there campgrounds in Florida that got jammed up charging rates like that when they were not a “utility”?

And seeing how pricey it has gotten on the east coast I doubt the cost to install the meters will will only be an increase tot he users of “excessive” electric.

I figured the advertising push and chatter for cheap heat alone would have started the increase.

The Gritz Carlton · 06-21-2019, 01:53 PM

They can claim themselves as "resellers" and up the price...they re not regulated. Marinas have been doing it for years...same concept. Yes, the point of this is to charge the "excessive" users...and yes again, all the chatter of "free electricity" for everything once you're plugged in has generated this. Some CG's are having to increase their power grids to handle all the excess...this will offset that cost as well. You've probably seen how some of them are starting to charge more for the site if you have multiple A/C's. Not a fan of the program but it's just another sign of things coming. Same reasons most of them now don't allow washing RV's and toads at each campsite. Water usage will probably follow. RV's are twice plus the size they used to be and old geezers standing around squirting water on them all day to cool them off on the hottest days.

Porthole · 06-21-2019, 02:50 PM

Twice the size, yes. But in the same time I would venture many CG’s, especially corporate have more then doubled in price.

a couple of corporate campgrounds in Delaware are charging $115 a night - that’s a bit absurd. We have stayed on the beach (hotel) in Delaware for $99 and that included a 2 dog surcharge.

Cummins12V98 · 06-21-2019, 02:51 PM

Try staying a month in the PalmSprings, CA area in June for a month. My bill was around $400. Temps were over 100.

The Gritz Carlton · 06-21-2019, 03:51 PM

Only gonna get worse as RV sales continue to rise and very few new CG's being built.

The Gritz Carlton · 06-21-2019, 03:55 PM

Clev...didn't mean to derail thread...just thought that info was relative to electrical costs going forward....

"We now return your Thread to it's original subject"

Walker · 06-22-2019, 01:29 AM

The best solution for Full time Rv'ers is to add Solar and hybrid inverters. Plug into a 30amp service and let the solar and batteries cover the rest.

Chance · 06-22-2019, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

A good friend of mine works for a traveling electrical contractor...he told me there's a trend going where many campgrounds...even the "stay by the night" parks are starting to install metered electricity at select site...mostly the bigger and pull throughs. A given amount will be included each 24 hour period with a premium paid for any overage of that amount. It's a result of campers in general becoming so huge with multiple A/C's and everything electric...as in the water heaters, electrical cooking options, people using portable heaters versus their gas furnace, etc. They say, it's the alternative to raising rates in general, as the high users can pay for it and the "normal campers" (if there's such a thing) will not have to. It will keep them competitive with other CG's in the area. The rates they charge are 3-4 times what would be normal for a stick & brick home.

One potentially very significant item you left of the list of power-hungry stuff are electric cars, and to lesser degree other electric vehicles like scooters, golf carts, etc.

I’m sure Jamie could add actual experience to this, but when some campers plug their electric cars overnight, the amount of electricity could exceed what clev averages per day. As more electric and plug-in hybrids hit the road as toads, campgrounds may need to meter.