RV electricity costs in the AZ desert

We now have two full months of experience Hideout living in two different RV parks (July & August).  In both months our electric bill was $150.  Our air conditioner runs almost continuously during the day and intermittently at night.  This weekend we are supposed to see our first days of high 90-degree weather (as opposed to between 105-110 degrees as it has been recently) and that will take the pressure off of the AC.

The difference between 105 and 95 is significant when RV-living!  RV air conditioners can be expected to cool between 20-30 degrees from the outside temperature.  We have tried to keep our Hideout at 78 degrees - and for the most part have been successful. During the worst part of the summer, in June, when we hit high 100-teens and 120+ we had taped reflective insulation on the outside of all of the windows creating a dark den inside. During June and July we also had a very shady spot, which was a huge benefit.  We were able to keep the trailer cool (78 degrees) in those conditions.

Starting August 1st we moved into Tempe and our spot has been in the full sun ever since.  The hitch faces west, which means the front door and most windows are facing north.  We also have our solar shades on the outside of all windows and the reflective material is now on the inside of all but two windows (so we can have a little light).  During the heat of the day, between 3pm and 5pm, when dinner is being made and we are going in and out of doors, we tend to let our cool air out.  Some evenings we have seen the inside temp rise to around 83 degrees.

In observing our RV neighbors' trailers many people use window air conditioners in addition to their roof units.  In speaking to others, some people have a hard time keeping their units cool.  I also noticed that electric bills for the park included some in the $250-ish range (based upon my observations of the other bills I saw when they were flipping through to find mine).  Also, when I was given my bill, the staff member seemed surprised at how low it was.  The larger trailers have two roof units.  There are very few trailers without slide-outs, and I think that fact really helps us keep the cost down.

The good news is that for the past three nights we have been able to turn off the AC and sleep with the windows open!  The mornings have offered us weather in the mid 70s...beautiful time to empty tanks, do laundry and play outside!  Yeah for fall weather in the desert!