[campbellcj]

Join the club! Our summer electric bills are as much as some people's house payments. Unfortunately IMO the A/C is the killer. Secondarily, at least in our case, the pool pumps. Distant third is probably the big desktop/tower PC rig. All of our appliances are new/modern.

I've installed CFL and LED bulbs and Nest thermostats but the cost reduction is insignificant. It's probably more of a geekout and conscience thing than a true economic benefit.

I may look into replacing the A/C units but for now have just been notching the thermostats upwards hoping the family doesn't revolt. There is some black magic entailed in that, since we have to get the house cooled-down enough by bedtime to be able to sleep, and we have a two-story open floor plan and split-zone HVAC system where the units/zones obviously can't function completely independently.