All window AC unit property: winterization question

[Mei Li]

Dear fellow property owners, I would like to ask some question regarding winterizing your property:

I’ve got a Ocean City, MD condo with only wall/window AC units. Heating during winter is completely dependent on electricity. I’m not able to shut off water since the whole building share the same water shut. I keep 2 wall AC units on at 62 degree, and my electricity bill is running around $7-10 per day - this sounds way too much.

Do you have similar experience? Does my electricity bill amount sound normal? What is your practice during winter with regard to protecting your water pipe?

Thanks for sharing in advance!

[Nathan Gesner]

That seems high to me. I did a quick search and daily use is closer to $5 a day for the average home. You would have to calculate based on square footage, then consider variables like insulation, outdoor temperatures, etc.

I have some condos in Cody, Wyoming where we get some pretty cold months. They were built in 2010 - 2012 and are stacked on three levels. Every condo has two outside walls. They use electric baseboard heat and I've never heard of a bill being higher than $200 a month, and that includes heat, lights, internet, TV, and all the appliances. It also includes people walking in/out which results in heat loss.

I recommend you contact the utility company. They should be able to give you averages to measure yourself against. You can also talk to some of the neighbors to see what they're experiencing with the same setup.