A confounder I don't see mentioned in these comparisons is that turning AC/heat on when you arrive in a home means you are above/below the target temperature for X amount of time until it returns to your target temp. And the simplest way to save energy is to do exactly that, run it at a slightly less comfortable temp.
I live in Dallas. I noticed my AC struggles when temperatures are very high in the late afternoon. It also struggles with high humidity after a big storm. On those days the air is thick as soup.
I grew up on the east coast and grabbed the first job opportunity that arose to move to CA. The summers are dry, which also creates fire danger.
With the low humidity, I am OK with home temps up to 84F.
When power goes out, I have a Generac which runs off a propane tank, which also provides heating. Rather than tax it with the home a/c at those times, I have window units which cool one room at a time, to help with long outages.
Items demanding a cool but not cold temp (you guessed it, chocolate) migrate to the cool room.
I don't know what to suggest that might supplement your home a/c. I use so little electricity outside of my a/c that it is the one largest factor. Even time-of-day rates don't help. Rates would be less only when I draw minimal power. A non-timed rate is cheaper for me.
I toyed with the idea of a solar ground rack feeding only a "supplemental" heat pump, to be there when demand is highest. (roof panels are forbidden on manufactured homes, and I have acres. ). I would run it standalone, since the Generac automatically cuts out the grid when it's running, and managing a third source is a head-scratcher. But it's only a sketch, and probably not cost-effective. "Balcony" solar panels have been approved in some locations.
Good luck, however.
For what it's worth, the highest yearly total electrical costs in the country are in California's central valley [0] (2025) PG&E has more than a little to do with that burden.
> The City of Fresno has the highest electricity bills in the entire country on average, according to a study by CashNetUSA.
> The study says on average, Fresno households spend $3,123 a year on electricity alone, which equates to $260.25 each month.
Thanks for your reply. Over the years, I have upgraded the insulation in my attic (over a foot of fiberglass) and also replaced my central AC unit with a Trane (for the reliability). Over than that, I guess I will just grin and bear it. Most months I pay less than $200 for electricity. From June through September, my electricity is $300-$400 range. In Dallas, I chose my Chariot to be my electrical provider. (I have no choice over the transmission company). I chose their all solar* plan which means my electricity should be coming from their solar panel farm (unless it is completely overcast then they buy from other electric generators). I think the only thing left I can do is to replace all my windows with fiberglass, triple panes filled with argon etc. I have a portable generator for potential outages; I have yet to unbox it though. As I live next to a school, I believe my neighborhood is the last one they will deliberately pull the plug on albeit I have had outages for a couple of hours at a time.
Amazing. My "lights and refrigerator" bills are under $100, often $80, up from about $35 before PG&E got "their" Public Utility Commission to about double rates. (Long story including criminal negligence, monumental judgments, bankruptcy, and return to soaking the consumer. A masterpiece in regulatory capture) Summer bills will be up to $400 for a 3-bedroom manufactured home.
Please read up on generator safety before using one!
My permanent unit has a built-in automatic transfer switch. Husky SOB. But the generator is sized to power the home and well pumps.
