This is usually the time of year when I don’t even want to go to the mailbox.
I know what’s awaiting me out there.
And now, with the thing from the post office that lets me know what’s in the mail, it’s even worse. The last year or so, I’ve known just exactly what was in the mail each day. So there was no denying when the utility bill would be here. The summer HVAC cooling costs are our biggest heating and cooling expense by far. The winter is so mild that I barely have to rely on the heat pump at all for heating. Sure, there are some cold snaps where we have to bring in the plants and let the heat pump rip late at night or early in the morning. But by lunch time, there really isn’t any more need for HVAC heating. That can’t be said for the rest of the year. For some folks, the air conditioning comes on in like late March if not earlier. That’s too early for me as I like to acclimate to the heat a bit so the summer isn’t just overwhelming. But by June, the heat and humidity are in full swing. This year, I did just the basics when it came to prepping the house for summer and it made a big difference. I sealed it up, stopped the direct sunlight heating and got consistent with the thermostat setting. It’s August and I’m smiling for the first time as I open my utility bill.