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Tag Archives: electricity

shocking!

03 Wednesday Aug 2022

Posted by azahar in coronavirus, covid, sevilla, work

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Tags

covid, electricity, sevilla

shocking

Got my electricity bill for July and OMFG. It is DOUBLE from July last year. As in TWICE AS MUCH. And last July was already way more than in 2020. I mean, I knew it was going to be hefty because prices are skyrocketing and I had made the decision that, since I am staycationing this summer, I would spend that travel money (as if I actually have any travel money) on being comfortable at home. It was more the idea that I would somehow not be spending so much if I stayed home. But you know, I did the same thing last summer, and the summer before. Not travelling, mostly at home, staying cool but also paying attention to the lower rate hours, etc. So that hasn’t actually changed.

When I talk about “staying cool” that means I hold out until the 2 pm change in rates before I turn on the AC, even though it’s often been more than 30º in my living room for most of the morning. But after that, fuck it. The rates change again around 7 pm but there is no fucking way I’m going to turn off my AC until bedtime. So I don’t, but I also never sleep with the AC on. And I always use fans in the bedrooms, the living room, which means I can set the AC to 24-25 (when it’s 42º outside this means inside it gets down to maybe 26.5º inside) and that is fine, because having the fans makes 26-27º inside feel comfortable enough. And of course I’m wearing next to nothing, just light cotton “day pyjamas”.

The government has come up with a new “Energy Saving” plan that will restrict businesses from having their premises warmer than 19º in winter or cooler than 27º in summer, and that when they are running the heat or AC they must keep all doors and windows closed. This applies to shops, restaurants, offices, etc… but hotels?? Can you imagine that hotels are going to start restricting their guests from being comfortable? Can you imagine the government would even ask them to? Of course they won’t.

Meanwhile, decreeing that all doors and windows must be shut tight WHILE WE ARE STILL IN A PANDEMIC (numbers in August are going up) and while next to nobody has proper ventilation, is beyond irresponsible. That is totally going to fuck up not only my personal life (can’t go out for tapas any more unless I sit outside) but also my job. I can’t even think about it. I have taken July and August off even though I can’t afford it to try and avoid getting sick, but now it looks like when I return in September things will be even worse. Fuck. How’s your summer going?

is it AC o’clock?

13 Monday Jun 2022

Posted by azahar in home, spain

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

electricity, luz, spain

ac oclock

Ever since electricity rates skyrocketed during and after the first LOCKDOWN, and even more so recently, we have been living under these varied times that show us when it’s cheapest to use our appliances. Which isn’t too difficult, though I have to admit I haven’t seen much of a saving from putting my laundry on at 5 am. And now that the AC is crucial… well, I do try to hold out until 2 pm when the cheaper rate kicks in for the afternoon, but then up it goes again during the evening, which is when you really need it. I’ve decided… fuck it. As (too many) people are so fond of saying these days… it is what it is. I don’t recall every living in a place that had these different “per hour” rates, but maybe it’s like that everywhere and I just didn’t realise? All I know is that my electricity bills have doubled since 2020.

glow

12 Friday Mar 2021

Posted by azahar in casa azahar, home, life stuff

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casa azahar, electricity, home

glow

When I moved into my lovely Casa Azahar there were no light fixtures other that a really ugly fluorescent one in the kitchen (which sadly is still there) and the pot lights in the bathroom (which have since been replaced). In the end it took me a couple of months to replace dangling light bulbs with fixtures I both liked and could afford, and then my landlord sent his handyman Tony Black Hands over to install them. Then this week one of the bulbs in my matching two hallway wall lamps blew. So okay, I went to my local electrical shop La Casa de las Bombillas and got two new bulbs because I wanted to change the halogen ones the lamps came with (that get hot as fuck) to LED ones.

So fine. Mission accomplished. But when I went to bed that night and turned off the lights using the wall switch, well, this was as “off” as the new LED light bulbs got (see photo). Perhaps not quite as bright as it may seem in this photo, more like the glow of a night light. And well, I kind of didn’t mind this because I actually had to buy night lights when I moved in here because my bedroom is interior so it’s way too dark for me. But I wondered if this constant glow thing was safe.

Next day I went back to Casa de las Bombillas and they said they will order a different brand of LED bulbs for me to try, saying they sometimes work differently. But they also assured me that the glow wasn’t dangerous and used next to no current. So now I don’t know what to do. I’m supposed to pick up the new light bulbs mañana but maybe I like having extra night lights? Undecided. Especially as if I pull the cord under the lamp (and not just use the wall switch) that turns everything off. So, options!

I know what you’re thinking. How do I get through the day with such hefty issues to constantly deal with. Well stay tuned guys. At this point, after the whole Thermometer Thang, and now this, I’m not sure Casa de las Bombillas will ever look pleased to see me darken their doorstep in future. But wait till I tell them tomorrow about my LED bedroom ceiling light flashing randomly at all hours (forgot to mention this to them last visit). My pal Pablo has suggested a medium, but I’m hoping C de las B will have a more pragmatic suggestion.

electric shock

12 Wednesday Aug 2020

Posted by azahar in casa azahar, home, sevilla, summer, weather

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

casa azahar, electricity, heat, summer

shock
It was expected, but this month’s electricity bill (which actually covers a two month period) still came as a bit of a shock. Much more than any other year. About 100€ more. Not surprising as I have been mostly at home, well, since March 12th. But it made me realise how much I take advantage of other people’s AC! I mean, I am trying to be prudent, and don’t put the AC on until it hits 30º inside the apartment, then set it so that it ends up a comfy 27º (with fans on). And I never sleep with it on. But you know, before I would be out and about during the day, and often working in the evenings. Which also meant I had an income to pay the damn bill, but I digress. Continue reading →

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