It comes down to simple math.

We purchased our building on the square with the intent of taking our time renovating it (as money allows) and eventually ramping it up into our business.

Accordingly, we wanted to keep the utilities and other expenses as low as practical so we have more money to apply where it’s needed.

We spent a fair amount of time reducing unneeded electrical loads, shutting off extra lights, converting others to fluorescent, killing the electric water heater, etc to save electricity.

We managed to cut the usage by 10%.

That almost tripled our bill.

Let me repeat that. By cutting our usage by 10% we almost tripled our bill.

The going rate for small commercial users right now in Texas is 6 cents a kilowatt hour. The “overhead”…which covers equipment and line maintenance is a separate charge (calculated, as best as we can tell, by magic).

However, Texas law allows “competition” for electrical providers…that is to say…the law prohibits me from buying from the generator operators and requires a bunch of middle men to be in the…well…middle.

The “competition” is supposed to keep the rates low.

The problem is…there is no rule that they have to treat all customers the same…charge them the same rate etc…basically, if you are a small user they don’t want to deal with you…and they can charge you whatever they want.

So…we dropped our consumption from an average of 500 kwh/month…

500 kwh @ 6 cents/kwh = $30

…to an average of 450 kwh/month. A “pricing tier” kicked in on our next contract renewal.

450 kwh @ 18 cents/kwh = $81

Yep, my bill went up over $50/month when I cut my usage.

Essentially, I can use 1350 kwh per month for the same price.

1350 kwh @ 6 cents/kwh = $81

I like lights. Use more, it costs less.

What do you think I’m going to do?

No conservation zone

CUAgain,
Daniel Meyer

(note: We also suffered a 30% penalty on our house for the same reason…we are still “negotiating” rates and contracts on both buildings at this point)

Energy Star “Certification”.

Meaningful rating system or more corporate/government marketing BS?

Meaningful rating or marketing BS?

So…there’s a saga of the light fixture on the back of the Old Vic. It covers the driveway so what I wanted was a dusk-till dawn floodlight. Since they now make CFL floodlights, I figured that was plenty of light for the purpose, and economical too.

Bought same. Took back defective fixture (missing parts). Replaced. Installed. Removed. Took back defective fixture (photocell didn’t work, closer examination showed it was cracked). Replaced. Removed. Took back defective fixture (bad wiring in one socket). Bought *different* fixture. Installed. Removed (photocell would not shut off lights even in full sun).

I then went on a hunt for a decent fixture. What I found was all the “dusk till dawn” and “motion activated” lights sold in our big box stores have such crappy photocells and motion detectors installed, that they cannot use CFL bulbs. They MUST use incandescent bulbs. Many of them are packaged with two, 120 watt floodlights. They explicitly say on the package, “No CFL’s”.

Why should this bother me? Well, simply because all these fixtures are Energy Star Certified.

What the heck? They are more efficient than…what? The sun?

How can a 500-watt capable fixture that is equipped with 240 watts of incandescent bulbs and CANNOT use efficient bulbs earn an Energy Star certification?

They DO make photo-cells and motion sensors that don’t need an incandescent load to operate…they have for decades…they just cost a few cents more.

The solution for my problem was to purchase a standard two socket flood fixture and add a commercial grade photocell (about $10) to it, then install the bulbs I wanted. Works great, provides the light I want, where I want it, for an economical price.

But what’s with the Energy Star? We’re supposed to be able to count on the fact that any appliance/etc that displays the logo is more efficient than most. Instead it looks like the rating is simply for sale to whoever needs it to market their stuff.

My fixture is not really “period appropriate”, but I didn’t really want to have to light torches every night and they make me nervous when it’s windy anyway so this will have to do for now. (haven’t found anything I like that serves the function yet…may have to drag out my artistic side and some wrought iron eventually).

Not period Appropriate, but you'll hardly notice it once the wall is painted.

CUAgain,
Daniel Meyer