Controlling electric costs monthly

Rather than looking at your camper as the culprit you need to read the meter NOW, immediately.

Take that number to the office and ask them for the previous readings, all of them since you arrived.

Then see if those numbers track.

Keep in mind that someone may have plugged in to an outlet that your meter senses. Check to see if someone is plugged in where they should not be.

Yup, that's the one I've seen.

GoPackGo wrote:
In order to determine if it's cheaper to run on electric vs propane you need to know two things that are specific to YOUR location -

1. Propane cost/gallon. Check several places, including hardware stores, and a local propane distributor.

2. Electricity KWH cost. Ask the CG/park what rate they charge.

I've seen a formula which allows you to plug in the info you've found and it will then tell you whether it's cheaper to use propane or electricity. Search for it, or maybe someone can post it.

Biggest electricity hogs - air conditioners, electric heaters, electric hot water heaters, clothes dryers. Microwave ovens use a lot but they only run for short periods of time.

I've 'heard' that TVs consume lots of electricity.

Your furnace will use lots of propane, but usage will depend on outside temps so it may not be much if in Florida, for example.

The hot water heater also uses lots of propane (as compared to a stove top burner). Maybe don't leave it on all the time. Same idea if it is running on electric.

If electricity is expensive it may be worthwhile for you change out your interior lighting to LED bulbs. They consume much less electricity, are WAY cooler (saves on AC), and last forever.

Here it is: Propane Vs Electric

We are leaving Las Cruces, NM tomorrow after spending a month at Sunny Acres RV Park. Our electric bill was $48 for the month at 14 cents /KWH. It has been cooler than expected much of that time, so no days of AC were used. We also used $62 worth of propane because the furnace had to run every night and a few days.

Average the two and it sounds correct. All you can do it take daily readings so you have proof going forward.

Our average was around $110 to $120 when we were in FL. I look at it this way, technology has given us furnaces to keep warm and air conditioners to stay cool so in a given situation we use them and stay comfortable. You can drive yourself nuts trying to compensate for utility costs. I had a friend that only turned his hot water heater on though ONE cycle per day (that for dishes and showers for two people), rarely turned the heat up on a cold night (extra blankets) or on a hot day open all the windows. Sorry but that's not my idea of enjoying myself but to each there own. I doubt it be the electric meter but it doesn't hurt to jot down some numbers and keep track of things for a month. Good luck and hope it works out.

1. Are purchasing electricity directly from the utility, or are you purchasing it from the RV park?
2. IF from the RV park, it is, in all probability, manually read.
3. Your best defense is to read your meter daily, and compare your readings with what you receive on your bill.
4. Daily readings will help you determine what costs the most to operate considering your life style.

Golden Gopher, if you are in a diesel pusher, make sure the engine block heater didn't get turned on by mistake. Had instances of that in our park, and it will burn the bearings out of the meter!

Golden Gopher wrote:
Reason for asking.:

December electric = $42

January electric = $152

Same campground, same weather pattern.

I feel meter is incorrect. How can I prove it?

If you really want us to figure out your bill you will need to post an image or every single detail.
Doubt the meter itself is the issue.

The 'back of the envelop' is use 20x the cost of kwh < gallon of propane, go with electric. That figure includes the inefficiency of propane, but not the hassle of getting propane, which for a motorhome can be a real hassle in some areas.

Barb