Monthly electric costs? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Thunder · RV-Dreams Family Member

Monthly electric costs?

Jim01 · RV-Dreams Family Member

1st of all, at many campgrounds, the electricity is included in your camping fee. If you are staying longer, then you usually have to pay separately for your electric.

Now, to the cost. Yes, you are right, there are many variables involved here, but this is what our costs are.

We have a 50 Amp system on our MH. We run almost completely on electric. In the summer we have 2 ACs that we run whenever we feel uncomfortable, in the winter, we have 2 built-in electric heaters that we do not hesitate to use, our water heater has an electric element in it, so we almost always run it on electric, and we always run the refrigerator on electric when at a CG.

Now, finally the cost of all this. When we have to pay for the electric, it cost us, (depending on the part of the country we are in and the rates), somewhere between $2 and $3 a day.

We are in the West right now, and it seems like most places here, the rate is about 16 cents per KWH. When we were last in the Eastern part of the US, the rates there were 11 to 13 cents per KWH.

Hope this helps.

Jim

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have a 50 amp rig. We are pretty frugal on electric. We use propane for water heating.

Currently, at the SKP park in Summerdale and we are averaging $2 a day. The rate is .10

In parks at .15 a day with air conditioning running most of the time we average about $3-$3.50 a day.

Sandra · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are running on 50 amp as well here in the Texas coastal bend. I just got our electric bill for December and it's 76.57 based on .13/kwh. We use electric to heat our water and one electric heater which has kept us pretty comfortable this month. We've paid more than that for a month and we've also paid less. That's just an idea. Different places also have different rates. Hope it helps.

heritage2006 · RV-Dreams Community Member

Jack Mayer wrote:

We have a 50 amp rig. We are pretty frugal on electric. We use propane for water heating.

Currently, at the SKP park in Summerdale and we are averaging $2 a day. The rate is .10

In parks at .15 a day with air conditioning running most of the time we average about $3-$3.50 a day.

I'm a newbie..........."SKP park" ????

Speedhitch · RV-Dreams Family Member

The park we are in now....the electric is included in the monthly rent. We pay $450.00 a month so when we hit the road we will opt for the cheaper parks and use the electric. Some of the rates down at the coast now are anywhere from $250.00 to $350.00 a month plus your electric. At these rates we should be able to stay for about the same as here while paying for our electric.

Joe and Sherri

Sandra · RV-Dreams Family Member

SKP is Escapees

pierreandcolleen · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have not paid separately for electricity yet (in 6 months of traveling). It has always been included in our daily rate. We are staying in one spot for the winter and electricity is also included in that monthly rate, but I know many places do charge extra.

thebearII · RV-Dreams Family Member

In July, near San Diego, we paid $156 for five weeks worth of electric. Don't remember what the KWH charge was.

We are not frugal when it comes to electric use. We have an electric water heater/ refrig, run the AC and washer or dryer as needed. Plus we have a trailer full of various small appliances (crock pot, microwave, electric grill...etc) and electronic entertainment (TVs, Laptop, DVD...etc) that may be in use from 7am when I get up, to 4am the next morning when she finally goes to bed.

There were times when the AC was on 24 hours per day for several days in a row.

So.... use us as a worse case scenario.

We try to conserve at home, but when we're out in the RV we have fun.

Thunder · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thank everybody for the input. One of those things I was having trouble budgeting for to be a fulltimer. So thank everybody and hope to see you down the road

Serengeti2001 · RV-Dreams Family Member

One thing we can tell you is that if you operate your refer on electric it will be at least $20.00 per month to operate.
The RV style refer is much more efficient on propane than electric.
Remember these units operate on heat and on the electric side it is nothing more than a controlled short.
A stick-n-brick refer can be operated for less than $5.00 per month, and they are even larger.
Once again this cost is quite flexable as to the region of the country you are in.

Froggi · RV-Dreams Family Member

We just spent a month in Bushnell FL. We have a 50amp rig but only had 30amp access. We just couldn't run everything at once but during our month there we washed & dried clothes almost daily, ran the dishwasher every other day or so, ran the big 4-door frig/freezer/ice maker, either A/C or electric heat and the electric fireplace in the evenings. When we left our electric bill was about $90 or so.

gypsy97 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I arrived at a park yesterday where I will be staying for a month. The electricity charge is $.19 per kwh. Does this sound high or average for a CA campground?

gypsy

Speedhitch · RV-Dreams Family Member

The average we have seen in our short time looking into electric bills is around $.12 to $.14. Now that is mostly in the southwest but I would say the $.19 is high and I would question what the utility co. is charging on an average to their customers in that area. Make sure you are not being over charged by the campground at a higher rate than the area is paying.

Joe

macattack · RV-Dreams Family Member

$.19 per kw hour is very high. As Speed said the avarage should be around $.12 to $.14. I would definatly ask what the electric company is charging. I would read the meter and take a picture of the meter reading. From what I have read on different web sites, some of these campgrounds are charging more than they are being charged.

Mac

gypsy97 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yes, when I've read some of the posts, 19 cents an hr seems high. I don't believe the CG owner is trying to fudge on the amount I use, however, He came to my campsite and explained things to me, and when we were at the electric meter he pointed to it and wrote down the reading, and invited me to also keep a record. Whether or not he adds a charge of his own to what he is paying, is another thing.

gypsy

Sushidog · RV-Dreams Family Member

The CG owner may be charging a a small premium over the price he is paying for electricity to fund maintenance, repairs and expansion of his electrical facilities. He could also be using it as a profit center, allowing him to offer lower monthly rates in a competitive area.

I used to have a motorcycle dealership in the 80's. Interest rates were high and the market was fiercely competitive. It was common practice for dealers to quote their actual cost on motorcycles to perspective buyers, trying to undercut all the other dealers in the area. When the deal was getting written up the dealer would add a host of inflated fees, such as: set-up, freight, dealer-prep, document fees, etc. in an effort to build some profit back into the deal.

Let's say a customer is shopping for a long term CG in an area where the "going rate" for CGs with similar facilities is $300/mo + electric. Most campers wouldn't think to ask what the cost per kw/hr is at each campground when comparing prices. An enterprising CG owner may decide to offer a $275 monthly rate, making the $25 difference up in electric overcharges, giving them an apparent competitive advantage to unwary shoppers.

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

In many states the PUC prohibits markups on electric. Some allow it, though.

In the Valley, our electric charges vary, depending on when you got your contract (on a deeded lot). But I can tell you that many are paying in the .16 area. Just as a point of reference.

Stephanie evans · RV-Dreams Community Member

Ihave 30 amps in my rv and its 15cents per kw if iam using 1500watts how much would that be per hr .thank you

Stephanie evans · RV-Dreams Community Member

On air conditioner