June 30, 2013

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An odd thing happened yesterday. Well, it was odd for this area. The air temperature was higher than the heat index.

That happens when the humidity is very low. The heat index takes into account the humidity because that affects how the air temperature feels on an individual's skin. When the heat index is lower than the air temperature, that means conditions are dry. And it was dry yesterday — humidity was persistently below 30%.

That happened a lot when I lived in Oklahoma — but not so much in Texas. We have lots of lakes and rivers here. There always seems to be plenty of moisture in the air.

But, when I checked the local conditions around 1 p.m., the air temperature here was 96° and the heat index was 94°. An hour later, it was 99° with a heat index of 98°. By 5 p.m., the temperature was 100°, and the heat index was still 98°

The forecasts continue to call for a cool front that will bring lower temperatures tomorrow, and those lower temperatures will hang around through the end of the week. I hope that's true.

To get to that, I knew all along we would have to endure a truly hot spell. Yesterday was supposed to be the end of triple–digit temperatures — at least for a week. We shall see.

This morning's meter reading is between 9769 and 9770. Yesterday's reading was another 'tweener. It was between 9742 and 9743 so consumption was 27 kWh. That's a decline from the day before — a drop of more than 14%.

Compared to this date last year, my consumption went down more than 16%.

June 29, 2013

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By 2 p.m. yesterday, the temperature was 100° and the heat index was 102°. Forecasters were calling for a high of 103°. I don't know when it went past that, but, when I checked on conditions at 5 p.m., the temperature was 105°, and the heat index was 109°.

But I'm hoping some temporary deliverance is at hand.

Today's high is supposed to be around 97°, which is a little better — and then the forecast high for Sunday is 92°. Monday's high is supposed to be 88°, and Tuesday's high is supposed to be 90°. Wednesday is expected to be 94°. Nighttime lows Sunday, Monday and Tuesday are supposed to be in the 60s.

The Fourth of July is supposed to be 92°. In Texas, that sounds real good.

Anyway, that's still a few days away — if it even comes to pass.

Today's meter reading is between 9742 and 9743. Yesterday's reading was 9711 so consumption was 31½ kWh. That is an increase over the previous 24–hour period, as I anticipated, but it was only about 3%. That's really a lot better than I expected.

And it was still a decrease in consumption over this time last year. Consumption on this date in 2012 was 39½ kWh so usage went down about 20%.

June 28, 2013

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By lunch time yesterday, the temperature was in the 90s. The forecast for the day was a high of 102° and a heat index of 107°.

I don't know if it got quite that hot yesterday. At 4 p.m., NOAA reported a temperature of 100° and a heat index of 106°. That's close enough for me. All I know is that it was hot — and it is supposed to be worse tomorrow.

But forecasters say we're in for a cool front on Sunday. Temperatures will drop into the low 90s — 89° on Monday and Tuesday, they say — which isn't bad for Texas a few days before the Fourth of July. Conventional wisdom around here is that it usually is in triple digits by the Fourth of July — and that has typically been my experience, too — but if this forecast is correct, we might stay several degrees below 100° on that holiday this year. Currently, the forecast for the day before is 93°.

But that is still way off in the future. A week is an eternity as far as Texas weather forecasts are concerned — and my immediate concern is day to day. If the temperature does drop below 90° on Monday and Tuesday, that will be great — but I have to get through today (and the weekend) first.

Today's meter reading is 9711. Yesterday's reading was between 9680 and 9681. Usage was 30½ kWh, same as the day before.

That's another decline compared to the same day last year. On this date in 2012, my consumption was 39½ kWh so consumption went down a little more than 20%.

June 27, 2013

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All week, the forecasts have been telling us to expect triple–digit temperatures today through the weekend. It's the kind of forecast that has a way of coming true, and this one certainly seems to be well on its way.

At 2 p.m. yesterday, the temperature was 95°, and the heat index was 101°. It crept upward through the rest of the afternoon. By 4 p.m., the temperature was 97° with a heat index of 104°. I don't know if it reached the forecast high of 99°.

The next three days are supposed to be in triple digits.

Looking back at last year's post on this date, this area was in the grip of a triple–digit heat wave, too, but I'm doing a better job of managing my consumption this year.

This morning's meter reading is between 9680 and 9681. Yesterday's reading was 9650 so consumption was 30½ kWh.

That is an increase of more than 27% over the previous 24 hours.

However ...

On this date last year, my consumption was 47 kWh. Therefore, when compared to this time a year ago, my consumption dropped more than 35%.

June 26, 2013

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At 4:30 yesterday afternoon, the temperature was 97° and the heat index was 100°. Worse is expected through the weekend, and there is no chance for rain in sight.

Considering how hot it was yesterday, I was stunned by what I found when I checked my meter this morning.

Today's meter reading is 9650. Yesterday's reading was 9626. Consumption in the last 24 hours was 24 kWh which represents a drop from yesterday. Twenty–four hours ago, my consumption was 28 kWh. That's a decrease of more than 14%.

How did I manage that? I honestly do not know. Yesterday was hotter than the day before. Common sense tells me I should have used at least as much electricity, if not more.

And, because my daily usage went down, the consumption decline from this date last year is even more impressive than it was yesterday. On this day in 2012, my consumption was 39½ kWh. That means my consumption went down more than 39%.

June 25, 2013

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When I checked the weather conditions yesterday afternoon around 3 o'clock, the air temperature was 94° and the heat index was 98°. Oh, and it was windy, about 25 mph from the south.

The forecast was for a high of 99°. I don't know if it made it or not. At 5 p.m., the temperature was 96°, but the heat index had dropped to 97°.

And yesterday was supposed to be the most pleasant day we'll have for the next seven days, at least.

This morning's meter reading is 9626. Yesterday's reading was 9598 so consumption was 28 kWh in the last 24 hours — about the same as the day before.

Last year on this date, however, my consumption was 34 kWh so usage declined more than 17%.

June 24, 2013

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Yesterday was another warm one with highs in the mid– to upper 90s and a heat index that flirted with 100° — if it didn't actually surpass it.

I don't know how hot it got, but I do know what the forecasts are saying for this week — highs of about 98° or 99° each day until the weekend, when the forecast calls for triple digits.

This morning's meter reading is 9598. Yesterday's reading was 9570 so consumption was 28 kWh. That's a 2 kWh increase over the previous 24 hours, a little more than 7½%.

But last year on this date, my consumption was 37½ kWh so, compared to a year ago, my usage went down more than 25%.

June 23, 2013

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Yesterday was another scorcher. I don't know if this is as warm as it got, but I checked weather conditions at 6 p.m. and the temperature was 95°. Humidity wasn't as high as it has been so the heat index wasn't much higher than the air temperature, but it was high enough — 97° when I checked.

In fact, I saw very little difference between yesterday and the day before, but my consumption actually was down a little.

This morning's meter reading is 9570. Yesterday's reading was 9544 so my consumption in the last 24 hours was 26 kWh. Consumption in the previous 24 hours was 28 kWh so my usage went down about 7%.

Apparently, this date last year was a real scorcher, maybe even hotter than it was yesterday, although the only temperature/heat index in my entry for June 23, 2013 sounds like the one I just mentioned. Well, the heat index was higher — but that only tells you what it feels like to your skin. If you're inside, I suppose it has no effect.

Anyway, my consumption on this date last year was a whopping 42 kWh. Usage went down more than 38% compared to this day in 2012.

June 22, 2013

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It always seems that, in summer, each day is the same around here.

Typically, temperatures are in the 90s around here on summer days — unless we're experiencing a heat wave, and then the daily highs are likely to be 100° or better.

We got into the upper 90s for awhile yesterday, but we spent most of the day in the low to mid–90s.

My meter reading this morning is 9544. Yesterday's reading was 9516 so consumption was 28 kWh. That's an increase of nearly 9% over the previous 24–hour period.

But my consumption on this day last year was 33 kWh, which means my consumption was down more than 15% when compared to this date a year ago.

June 21, 2013

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A week ago, forecasters were warning us that, after a comparatively mild Tuesday (i.e., in the 80s), we could expect a gradual warming trend (to upper 90s).

And they were right. It was in the mid–90s (at least) yesterday, and upper 90s are predicted today and through the weekend.

This morning's meter reading is 9516. Yesterday's reading was between 9490 and 9491 so consumption in the last 24 hours was about 25½ kWh. That is an increase of 3 kWh — more than 13% — over the previous day.

And it is almost precisely the usage I had on this day last year. Actually, on this date in 2012, my consumption was ½ kWh lower than it is today so my increase in that regard was 2%.

June 20, 2013

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Well, I knew the cool front would leave — and it did.

The temperature hit around 94° or 95° yesterday, and the heat index hit 100°.

It is no surprise to me that my electricity consumption went up although I did try to keep it under control as much as possible.

This morning's meter reading is between 9490 and 9491. Yesterday's reading was 9468 so consumption was 22½ kWh.

The bad news is that is a 55% increase over the previous 24–hour period.

Conditions seem to have been about the same yesterday as they were on the same date a year ago, but I succeeded in keeping my consumption below what it was on June 20, 2012. Consumption on that date was 24½ kWh. My electricity usage was down by more than 8% compared to this day last year.

June 19, 2013

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During the weekend, I first heard forecasts of a sub–90s day on Tuesday (which was yesterday). I scoffed at that because we had been experiencing temperatures in the mid–90s of late — we even hit 100° last Monday.

But, lo and behold, the temperature actually did stay below 90° yesterday. In fact, for much of the day, the temperature was in the 70s. Late in the day, it did warm up, and the air conditioning kicked on periodically, but it was quite pleasant most of the day.

This morning's meter reading is 9468. Yesterday's reading was between 9453 and 9454 so consumption was 14½ kWh. That's a decline in usage of nearly 20% compared to the previous 24 hours.

And it is more than 47% lower than my consumption on this day a year ago.

June 18, 2013

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We had rain here early yesterday morning, about an hour after I checked my meter. And it brought a cool front into the area. I think the temperature must have remained in the 70s all morning.

I don't really know what yesterday afternoon was like. I was on campus, indoors, attending a seminar, which lasted for three hours. After it was over, I stopped at the grocery store for a couple of things so I got home around 5 p.m. It was warm but not hot.

That seemed to change, though, and my guess is that the temperature must have gone over 90°, at least for awhile.

This morning's meter reading is between 9453 and 9454. Yesterday's reading was between 9435 and 9436 so my consumption was about 18 kWh. Since my usage was 30½ kWh in the previous 24 hours, consumption dropped about 40%.

We were experiencing a cool front here on this date last year so my decline in usage wasn't quite as dramatic, but it was still a decline. I used 24 kWh on this date in 2012 so consumption was down about 25%.

June 17, 2013

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Yesterday was warmer than Saturday was, but I took some comfort in the fact that forecasters were expecting Tuesday's temperature to stay in the 80s.

But that has been revised upward, and now there are no breaks expected in the string of 90s we've been seeing.

Yesterday's meter reading was 9405. Today's reading is between 9435 and 9436 so consumption was about 30½ kWh. That is an increase of nearly 30%.

And it is a 22% increase over my consumption on this date last year.

June 16, 2013

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It wasn't quite as hot yesterday as it has been.

Don't get the wrong idea. This is Texas. It is summer. The understanding is that it will be hot here. And it is.

But yesterday was different than it has been. By mid–afternoon, the air temperature was only about 90°. For Texas in mid–June, that isn't bad. But it was very humid so the heat index was around 95°. I ran some errands in the morning, but I spent most of the afternoon inside. The air conditioning didn't have to struggle to keep the apartment cool although I was sure I would see electricity usage above 20 kWh this morning. That much is a given.

In fact, my electricity consumption did drop in the last 24 hours. Yesterday's meter reading was between 9381 and 9382. Today's reading is 9405 so consumption was 23½ kWh. Consumption in the previous 24 hours was 28½ kWh — a decline of more than 17%.

When compared to my usage on this date last year, the decline was not quite as dramatic but it was still a decline — about 6%.

June 15, 2013

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I know I sound like I am repeating myself, but, at this time of year in Texas, it is hard not to.

Yesterday was another scorcher, easily as hot as the day before but overcast. By noon, the temperature was in the mid–90s and the heat index was nearing 100°. I'm sure it got hotter well before sundown.

However ...

My meter reading this morning is between 9381 and 9382. Yesterday's reading was 9353. Therefore, consumption was about 28½ kWh, which is 1½ kWh less than I used in the previous 24 hours (about 5%).

And, since consumption on this date last year was 34 kWh, I experienced a decline that was even more dramatic — more than 16%.

June 14, 2013

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The Texas summer has descended upon the area with a vengeance.

Yesterday's high was near 100° — and reports strongly suggested that the heat index exceeded 100°.

It is safe to say I didn't expect much from this morning's meter reading.

Today's reading is 9353. Yesterday's reading was 9323 so consumption was 30 kWh. My usage went up 1½ kWh — a little more than 5%.

Last year at this time, the "cool front" apparently was still with us and consumption on this date in 2012 was 20 kWh. Consequently, my consumption was up by 50% over this time last year.

June 13, 2013

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Yesterday was another hot day. Not as hot as Monday but hot enough. The last time I checked the conditions (around 4 p.m.), the temperature was 94° with a heat index of 98°.

Even so, I tried to keep my electricity consumption under control. I managed to avoid a 30–plus kWh day on Monday because the power was out, but consumption on Tuesday skyrocketed (and I strongly suspect the power was restored long before I had been told it would be).

I hoped to avoid a repeat of Tuesday so whenever I felt I could get away with it, I raised the thermostat setting. And it nay have been successful — but modestly so.

This morning's meter reading is 9323. Yesterday's reading was between 9294 and 9295 so consumption in the last 24 hours was 28½ kWh.

And that is a decline of nearly 10% from the previous 24 hours — when consumption was 31½ kWh. But this time last year, Dallas was experiencing something of a cool front, which made my consumption 18½ kWh a year ago today.

That means consumption is up by more than 50% over this day last year.

June 12, 2013

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Yesterday was another day spent away from the apartment.

The fix that the utility company eventually made on the electric line on Monday was a temporary one. The permanent one was done yesterday. In order to do it, the power had to be shut off — which meant I had to vacate again, and the management told me the power would be off all day. When it went off around 9:40 a.m., I vacated.

I returned around 5 p.m., and the power was on. When I went inside, the apartment was cool, much cooler than I would have expected if the power had just come back on — so my guess was that the power was restored earlier, probably much earlier. How much earlier, I do not know.

Anyway, when I checked my meter this morning, I found that my reading was between 9294 and 9295. Yesterday's reading was 9263. Electricity consumption in the last 24 hours was roughly 31½ kWh.

That's more than double my consumption in the previous 24 hours, and the power was out nearly all day Monday. I only had electricity during the nighttime hours. That suggests to me that the power wasn't off nearly as long yesterday as I had been led to believe, and consumption skyrocketed during my absence.

Even so, my consumption was still below my level on the same date a year ago. Last year, my consumption was 34½ kWh so usage dropped nearly 9%. That isn't much, at least compared to what I have managed so far this summer, but sometimes you have to take your triumphs where you can find them.

June 11, 2013

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I checked the weather report about 4 p.m. yesterday, and it was 99°. I've heard that the Dallas–Fort Worth area hit 100°, which may well be true.

The power, according to the apartment management, was supposed to be restored by 5 p.m. so that is when I left campus to return home. I had no idea how hot it was in my apartment. I only knew how hot it was when I left about 4½ hours earlier.

But I was sure it would be hot in there, even with the air conditioning set to kick on as soon as the power was restored.

So, while consumption was undoubtedly down through most of the day, I was sure I more than made up for it overnight as the air conditioning struggled to bring the temperature in my apartment down.

I can't say for sure when the power came back on. I spent the night elsewhere.

But when I checked the meter this morning, the reading was 9263. Yesterday's reading was between 9249 and 9250 so consumption in the last 24 hours was 13½ kWh. That's pretty good, given the time of year, but it was all accumulated overnight as the air conditioning tried to bring the temperature in the apartment down since I had no electricity for at least 17 hours so it's hard to say how well I did.

Still it is only an 8% increase over the day before. And it's a 50% decrease over this date last year.

June 10, 2013

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(Power in my apartment went out around 6 a.m. today, and, as of 1 p.m., it still had not been restored so I am on campus this afternoon, trying to stay cool. Whenever the power is restored, I will post the photo.)

Yesterday was another tough day to figure out, weatherwise.

It was rather cool and rainy in the morning, but the afternoon gave way to sunshine and heat.

The forecast for the rest of the week was modified as well — it's still supposed to be warm, but daily predictions now call for highs that are a degree or two lower than they were 24 hours ago.

Anyway, this morning's meter reading was between 9249 and 9250. Yesterday's reading was 9230. Consequently, consumption was about 19½ kWh. Yesterday's usage was 12½ kWh so that was an increase of 56%.

On this day last year, however, my consumption was was 27 kWh so I'm still seeing decreases in my daily usage as compared to this time a year ago. The decline was just shy of 28%.

June 9, 2013

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Well, the heat has returned — and, if the forecasts can be believed, we can expect gradually accelerating temperatures through the week.

Currently, predictions call for a high of 99° by Friday.

Nevertheless, it remained mostly mild through much of the day yesterday — but it warmed into the upper 80s by about 4 p.m., and the air conditioning came on after being off for the previous 60 hours or so.

I knew when I went out to check the meter this morning that my consumption increased — and I was right. Most of that was due to yesterday's heat, but some had to be due to the fact that I couldn't go check on the meter as early as I would have liked. The sky was dark and overcast, and we had an early morning thunderstorm.

Conditions still weren't ideal when I went out to check the meter, which is why today's photo is hard to read. Nevertheless, today's meter reading is 9230. Yesterday's reading was between 9217 and 9218 so consumption in the last 24 hours wasn't as bad as it could have been — about 12½ kWh.

That, as I anticipated, meant an increase in consumption — more than 47% — over the previous 24 hours. But, although temperatures were cooler than usual on this date last year, my electricity consumption was lower this year than it was last year. Last year's consumption was 20 kWh so my consumption this year is about 37% lower.

June 8, 2013

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I've really tried not to get too accustomed to the recent cool spell — because I know we have some brutal weather ahead of us before the summer is over.

Still, the weather lately has been very nice. It's going to be hard to say goodbye to it — which, apparently, I have to at least start to do today.

Thursday and Friday's highs were in the mid–80s, and the nighttime lows were in the 60s. Today might get to 90°, with a steady increase in the next several days, and tonight's low is expected to be around 70°. That, too, will be going up.

There is even talk that this area could experience its first 100° day of the year next week. That's really hard to believe, considering how mild it has been around here lately. But that would be more in keeping with this area's traditional seasonal weather pattern so it can hardly be said to be a surprise.

Anyway, electricity consumption went up yesterday — but it stayed in single digits for a second straight day. This morning's meter reading is between 9217 and 9218. Yesterday's reading was 9209 so consumption was roughly 8½ kWh. That's more than 21% higher than my consumption level in the previous 24 hours.

We were experiencing a cool front on this date last year, too, and consumption was 10 kWh. That means my consumption level is 15% lower than it was on this day in 2012.

June 7, 2013

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As predicted, the cool front came through the area yesterday and kept temperatures in the low 80s. Last night's low was supposed to be in the low 60s. Virtually the same is predicted for today and tonight, then we return to more summerlike forecasts.

I didn't think my air conditioning kicked on all day, and I must have been right. This morning's reading is 9209, and yesterday's reading was 9202 so my consumption was only 7 kWh! I hope I can keep consumption in single digits again today. But even if I can't, my consumption level in the last 24 hours is more than 68% lower than it was in the previous 24 hours.

This area apparently was experiencing a cool front at this time last year, too. Even so, my consumption on this date last year was 20 kWh so my consumption level is 65% lower than it was on June 7, 2012.

June 6, 2013

Through the middle of the afternoon yesterday, I thought the high yesterday wouldn't get into the 90s.

But I was wrong. When I checked the latest observations at 5 p.m., the temperature was 91° and the heat index was 93°.

That isn't quite as hot as the forecasters were predicting, but it was hot enough. It might have gotten warmer. I don't know. But I do know it stayed warm well after sundown.

A cool front is supposed to keep daytime highs in the 80s and nighttime lows in the 60s for the next couple of days, then back into the 90s this weekend. That will be welcome because the last 24 hours saw my consumption increase.

Today's meter reading is 9202. Yesterday's reading was 9180. Consumption was 22 kWh, which is a little more than 22% higher than it was in the previous 24 hours.

However, my electricity consumption on this day last year was 34 kWh, so my usage is about 35% lower than it was a year ago.

June 5, 2013

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Yesterday was probably the warmest day we have had in 2013 so far — but I'm quite sure it will get warmer before it gets cooler on a regular basis.

The air temperature was in the low 90s yesterday afternoon, and the heat index was around 96°. Last night's low was around 72°. It's safe to say the air conditioning ran at times yesterday — although I tried to keep it under wraps as much as possible.

This morning's meter reading is 9180. Yesterday's reading was 9162. Consumption in the last 24 hours was 18 kWh, which is an increase of more than 38% compared to the previous 24 hours.

However, last year on this date my consumption was 27 kWh so my usage is 33% lower than it was a year ago.

June 4, 2013

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It was warm yesterday — upper 80s at least.

And I expected an increase in electricity consumption.

This morning's meter reading is 9162. Yesterday's reading was 9149 so consumption did increase — but not really all that much. I used 13 kWh, which is an increase of 2 kWh (or about 18%) over the previous 24 hours.

Last year on this date, my consumption was 30 kWh so today's consumption level is nearly 57% lower than it was a year ago.

June 3, 2013

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For the last couple of nights, the temperature has dropped into the 60s. It's been very nice.

But that appears to be at an end. Tonight's low is supposed to be around 71° — and, if history is any guide, in another month, maybe sooner, our nighttime lows will be in, at best, the upper 70s.

Yesterday was quite pleasant for early June. The high around here was 84°, maybe 85°, and it wasn't very humid at all.

And, apparently, I didn't use much electricity. Today's meter reading is 9149. Yesterday's reading was 9138. Consumption remained in double digits but just barely — 11 kWh — a drop of more than 34% from yesterday.

On this date last year, my consumption was 35 kWh, which means that decline is even greater — nearly 69%.

Today's forecast is for upper 80s and then we should be in the 90s the rest of the week — well, until Friday, when another cool front is currently expected to bring nighttime lows in the upper 60s and daytime highs in the mid–80s.

We'll see.

June 2, 2013

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It was a bit cooler yesterday than it has been so my electricity consumption dropped.

This morning's meter reading is 9138. Yesterday's reading was 9120 so consumption in the last 24 hours was 18 kWh. That's a drop of more than 16% since yesterday.

Because we were still in the midst of our early June cool front last year, my consumption on this date is still higher (but only slightly) than my usage on this date last year. But it is almost the same. Last year's consumption on June 2 was 17 kWh.

June 1, 2013

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You can't say they didn't warn us.

Weather forecasts yesterday told us to expect air temperatures in the low 90s and heat indices in the upper 90s. By golly, that is exactly what happened. It was still in the upper 80s well after the sun went down.

And it had repercussions in my electricity consumption.

This morning's meter reading is between 9119 and 9120. Yesterday's reading was 9098 so my usage was around 21½ kWh, an increase of a little more than 13% in the last 24 hours.

Even worse, at this time last year, my electricity consumption was 14 kWh because this area was in the midst of a cool wave. So my consumption in the last 24 hours was more than 50% higher than it was on this day in 2012.

That would be a disturbing trend if not for a couple of things.

1) I know my electricity consumption yesterday was higher than it's been, but we're in the time of the year when we know it will be hot, and we know that electricity consumption will be up. It is hardly a surprise.

2) Forecasters tell us to expect a cool front over the next day or two, bringing rain and temperatures in the mid–80s (and lows in the 60s). This front is expected to come through the area later today, perhaps as early as this afternoon or as late as tonight.

For the record, the air temperature at the moment is 80°.