Overheard my neighbor complain about his $400 electric bill last month

He was ranting to our mailman about how his AC ran nonstop but his attic has zero insulation. I asked when he last checked his attic and he said never in 12 years. I told him I added R-38 blown insulation for about $600 two years ago and my summer bills dropped from $280 to $180. He just stared at me like I was speaking another language. Anyone else run into people who would rather pay high bills forever than spend money once on efficiency?

3 comments

3 Comments

murray.cora1mo agoMost Upvoted

My dad was the same way with his old truck. He'd complain every winter about the $300 he spent on gas and how the heater barely worked. I told him a tune up and new thermostat would cost like $150 and save him money. Nope. He kept filling the gas tank and wearing three coats until the engine finally gave out six years later. Some people treat money like they're allergic to spending it on anything that isn't a bill or a burger. It's like they'd rather be uncomfortable and broke than try something new.

evahenderson1mo ago

My dad did the same thing with his water heater until it burst and flooded his basement. I finally convinced him to spend $200 on an energy audit and he saved way more than that the first year.

price.ben1mo ago

Oh come on, not everyone has six hundred bucks just sitting around to drop on insulation they may never see the return on. That neighbor probably has his money tied up in other stuff like car payments or kids or medical bills. Plus, he's been living there twelve years without insulation and it's worked out fine so far, so why would he suddenly trust some random guy's advice about spending money on a house he might sell in a few years anyway. And let's be real, AC bills are high everywhere right now, insulation or not, so maybe he's just tired of people telling him how to spend his own cash.