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%.