Utility bills with cds...

aspade

So I have no problem saying we've already saved a tremendous amount of money using cloth diapers instead of disposables--just in terms of not buying all the packages of disposables and all the wipes.  I'm totally proud of us.  BUT our utility bills so far have been high (even with using the clothesline a lot of days).  We have a combo gas & electric bill, and it used to be anywhere from $90 to 120 a month.  Now it's been about $180 two months in a row.  Is that what other people experience, about 50% higher?  And I realize that I've been doing a lot more laundry period because of the baby.  (And maybe utilities are higher in CA.)  I'm just curious and would like to compare.

GypsyEsq

Ours has been higher too but I can't attribute it to CDs just yet.  We've had a lot of visitors - my parents, DH's parents, and other family and friends - plus it's been very hot so we've had fans and/or the a/c running almost constantly since June.  As compared to last year we're up about 25% but I really feel like it's the visitors and the heat and not the CDs.  We'll see though this month since I think this will be the first month without visitors and we're sleeping with windows open versus a/c 24 hours a day.

CABunny

Mine's been about the same or slightly lower.  Do you have PG&E?  I do, but only for gas.

CABunny

I can add $'s to my post.  My electric bill is generally $65-85 and gas is $8-$15.

mrs.a.butler

mine didn't go up much at all...mine has just been high because of all this heat...the ac has been running more ;(

Joes_love

well, before i had to deal with Crunchy Crap, my utilities bills were lower.  after having to strip 8 times though, it definitely went up.  worst thing i EVER spent my money on.

aspade

CABunny:

I can add $'s to my post.  My electric bill is generally $65-85 and gas is $8-$15.

That's about what ours used to be.  Yep, PG&E.  For some reason, I've also been suspicious of our apartment, too.  Like, whose bill pays for the garage lights, ours or upstairs'?  Most of our appliances have been upgraded to energy efficient while we've been here, but not the washer and dryer.  They're pretty old.

Dobie_Mama

Ours hasn't gone up at all.  We have an electric washer & dryer and our bill is about $45 per month.

julygal

I have not noticed an increase of our utilities, especially when you compare the kilowatts used vs the amount of money as there are price hikes and drops throughout the year.  I did notice an increase in the months immediately following DS's birth, but I attributed it to having all the company over which just means more energy used, especially since I put CDs on hold for a few months right before and after DS was born until I got back on my feet a bit more.

SapphyrEyes

Ours only went up $3 a month when we were on our own.  But, we started having lights on all the time because of late night feedings and extra cooking for baked good since I went wild after DS was born.

andrealynn0707

My energy bills did not go up once DD arrived. I would check your usage vs last year (not just the $) and see if that has increased or if just your cost has. 

GladToBeMrs.SRS

Nope.  Our electric bill has gone down this year (despite increases in energy prices), and our water bill stayed the same. 

thejennigirl

We've actually stayed the same w/ the old washer and dryer, and the next water bill will be WAY down from using the HEs.

aspade

SapphyrEyes:

Ours only went up $3 a month when we were on our own.  But, we started having lights on all the time because of late night feedings and extra cooking for baked good since I went wild after DS was born.

Uh-oh!  I hadn't factored in all the baking I've been doing...

::hits self on forehead::

Good point also about looking at usage vs. cost.  PG&E does suck, so.

SapphyrEyes

aspade:

SapphyrEyes:

Ours only went up $3 a month when we were on our own.  But, we started having lights on all the time because of late night feedings and extra cooking for baked good since I went wild after DS was born.

Uh-oh!  I hadn't factored in all the baking I've been doing...

::hits self on forehead::

Good point also about looking at usage vs. cost.  PG&E does suck, so.

12 weeks with few to no carbs on the GD diet drove me nuts.  We baked cookies twice a week for the first two months.  Plus, I sent DH to work with cheesecakes and anything else I could bake because I was so happy to enjoy my kitchen again.  Everyone there gained 5 pounds but weren't complaining!