Things are heating up in Sun City...

Admittedly, the summer months are slow times when it comes to the number things going on in the community. It's not just that people go away, but for those of us who stay, it's hot. And truth be told, the longer it drags on, the hotter it seems to get.

And while September is barely a reprieve, temperatures do start to break a wee bit. You can always tell because during those early morning hours you can open your door without the air conditioning immediately coming on. Sure, the mid-afternoon still kisses up around the 100 degree mark, but it's tolerable. Best of all when we walk the girls at 9 pm, it's well below that century mark, and often quite pleasant.

But this thread is not about summer temperatures, not even close. This one is all about the kick-off of (no, not the National Football League regular season start), but about the return of mega events for those of us living here. I won't belabor this (I think I already have), let's just sneak a peak at September's line-up:

* On September 19 at the Sundial auditorium Casino Sun City makes a return engagement. The fun starts at 4 pm and goes till 7 pm. Each player gets $500 worth of chips, with a variety of games of chance to choose from. Beer, wine and bloody Mary's will be available for purchase, so no outside beverages will be allowed to be brought in. This event went over big time last year, and expect to see a full house yet again. Don't forget, bring your picture member card for admittance. For first timers, the line to get in is at least an hour beforehand (I kid you not).

* Then at the end of the month on the 27th, the Original Token's will perform live at the Sun Bowl. You've got to love the link to the Lion Sleeps Tonight, it has 16 million plus views. Showtime is at 7 pm and don't forget to bring your chairs/blankets and whatever beverages you need to get you rocking and a rolling the night away. Food trucks will be in the food court an hour before show time.

October gets way crazier, but for now, let's just enjoy the cooler temps along with the soaring heat from these two awesome events.

Nice!

 

The last 2 mornings have been cool enough to need a blanket.
But, Ouch! I got my latest bill from APS. Guess it was a hot month!
They no longer send paper bills which I don't like.
I spent the last hour trying to login to APS without success.
On Tuesday I will call them.

 

I'm curious how much that ouch is, I have no idea what to expect during hot months, but I understand if you don't want to say it.

 

Expect those summer ac bills to push you APS towards the $300 mark. Of course it depends on lots of things, firth and foremost your thermostat.

 

Our bill for July 9 to August 9 was $250 and that was the hottest July on record. Typically we have 3 months around $250, 2 months of $140 and the rest of the months the bills stay under $60.

 

Okey, Dokey,
Here is an abbreviated list of electric bills this year. FYI, I have gas heat and stove top.
Bills are received early in the month for electricity the previous month.
Jan thru May - under $50 - June $133 - July $127 - August $142.
We had many triple digit days in July that resulted in that August bill. September will be better.
I'll let you know.

During the summer, I keep the temp at 82 during the day and maybe down to 81 for a short time in late afternoon. At night I keep it at 78. I have 9 fans in my condo but only use the one in my living room where computer is, one in my tv room, and one in my bedroom. There are even 2 fans in my enclosed back patio!

Last year I averaged out cost per month air conditioner and/or heat was. It came to about $100/month.

 

I have never, ever had an APS bill over $200. What are your air conditioning? A kennel for your ladies???

I am on the 9-9 program during the week. That is, during the week between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. electricity costs more. Anything that uses electricity I do on the weekend when it is cheaper. Things like laundry, vacuuming and dishwasher. I don't think the program is available any more.

 

BP - "Casino Sun City....Each player gets $500 worth of chips..." And then what? At the end of the evening, what can I do with my winnings?

We will be there on that Saturday, and if we aren't so sore and worn out from unpacking the two moving cubes we will be looking for something to do.

 

Here in the Puna District of the Big Island electricity costs fluctuate between $0.43-$0.47 per kilowatt hour, roughly four times mainland prices. I don't have, nor could I afford to operate, A/C, and don't need heat. I do have several fans going 24/7 during the hottest month(s), and its been hotter this summer than ever before. It's hard to catch a sunny day to line dry clothes but I do try to limit use of the clothes dryer. I probably haven't used my electric range oven more than 4 or 5 times in the past 10 years (have a little NuWave oven that works well, is quick, and doesn't heat up the kitchen). I have two 40-gallon solar water heater panels on the roof with electric holding tank on timer to only come on two hours per day if solar water temps fall below 120. HELCO uses oil-fired power plants so electricity prices have dipped to the low end lately, still my monthly power bills average around $140-$150. When oil is expensive it's routine to pay $200+/mo so I'm enjoying this current price break. I never exceed 500 kilowatt hours per month. I realize I'll be arriving in Sun City at the beginning of winter temps but am expecting next summer's power bills not to be any worse than what I have been paying here. I was figuring on keeping the A/C set about 80 summers, heat 72 winters, plan on investing in "smart" thermostat. I have an electric range, gas water heater (which brings up another question, see below) and nobody seems to be sure what kind of furnace, realtor says electric, home inspector listed gas? Hope I'm not just seeing things through rose-colored glasses, will be attempting to live on SS.

Question related to gas water heater - I'd like to convert to a Paloma or on-demand type rather than the tank type that's there now. Does anyone have any experience with Palomas, are they allowed by code? They are very popular here and save a ton of propane (no natural gas here) by only heating what you need, not maintaining a tank full of hot water. Comments or thoughts?

 

I've had an on demand for 20 years...early adopter. I don't want another. Instant heat is not instant at all and then the dreaded cold spots in the middle of the hot ( common complaint, read on it). Personally I did not notice a drop in gas usage when I switched over. It has lasted long though, still going. Also I have occasional electric brown-outs here both scheduled and non-scheduled and when that happens no hot water...gas units have an electric pilot. They're not horrible but I'll keep the tank I have. You also need to install a larger gas line, installation can be expensive and the water pressure is not as good.

 

I wasn't there last year but I think the highest money winners got some pretty cool prizes. At your age you should get neither sore nor worn out...that's for old farts like us.

 

Nope, the kennel isn't ac'd peg, but the other 3000 square is. There-in lies the problem of having a bigger house than one needs. It comes at a cost. Two AC units, one roof top, 1 side of the house and one small wall mount (which is slicker than snot btw). We keep the house at 82 degrees, which is more than comfortable. There are 8 ceiling fans with 6 of them we never shut off (the one in the garage and the one in the back patio we seldom use).

Our utility bills have always been high, even when we were on the 9 to 9 plan. We were averaging $225 a month. Once we put in solar, we are now around $190 with the lease payment and the $13 APS bill (which will be done by years end due to credits earned every month). We over-paneled the house so as to fight rising utility costs.

 

I didn't know any homes in SC had 3000 sq ft.
What is the model?

 

It's the Castille Peg, which is normally just a shade under 1900 square feet. This one has the knock out in the formal dining room, the garage/laundry/storage area has been enclosed with heat and air and the previous owners had put on a 800 + square foot addition across the back of the house. My wife loved the size because we could go days without seeing each other.

 

Give me a link to Castille Model.

BTW. You are soo funny. Do you have an unattached brother?

 

Just got the electric bill for August 9 to September 9. This August was the 2nd hottest on record so I was pleased that the $260 bill wasn't higher. Now we should settle back to the low $100 range.

 

After seeing what everyone is paying for electricity, I guess I am lucky to have gas & electric.
Example: August - Electric $142, Gas $15 for a total of $157.
BTW. My house is about 1900 sq. ft.
Last year I averaged about $100 per month for gas & electric.

 

Those are great numbers gang, just another reason for potential buyers to be looking at Sun City. Seriously, living in Sun City is so good on so many counts, one can only scratch their head and wonder why anyone would look elsewhere.

 

I also have original windows but with sunscreens.
My back patio is completely enclosed with screened windows & blinds. It has a nice view of the grassy common area.

My tv/sewing room was originally the patio (like most models) and has windows with blinds that are kept closed during the summer. I open them when I have company.

 

AAARRRRGGGH!! All I can say is Monsoon Season go away if you can't give us some rain. I'm suffering from the weeks of humidity. Were there a few drops falling from the sky early this morning?