Dear Readers,
I fully expect this will stir up a little controversy since the idea of unmetered (“free”) electric power at campgrounds has been the standard for a long time. But there is a campground industry push to meter each pedestal separately and charge you for it in some way.
The reasons for wanting to do individual pedestal metering have been growing for the last few decades. Ever since multiple rooftop air conditioners have become more common, campground power usage has gone way up. Here are the results of a survey I took back in July of 2020.
Do you need AC power for air conditioning? (from July 2020)
Well, I sort of guessed this, but it’s good to see the numbers. So nearly 2/3 of you need power for one air conditioner, while nearly 1/3 of you need enough power for two air conditioners, and 5% need power for three air conditioners. This is exactly why so many campgrounds are struggling to keep up with the power requirements. When many of them were designed and built 20 years or more ago, nobody could guess at just how many RVers would need so much electricity to power their RVs. Just like in the ’60s and ’70s, when most cars didn’t have air conditioning and power steering, it’s nearly impossible buy a new vehicle now without these as included options. More to study about campground power, which I’m working on.
There’s even more power needed
Now lets add in all the new lithium battery chargers which can easily draw 10 amps at 120 volts, electric water heaters that can draw another 10 to 12 amps at 120 volts (1,200 to 1,500 watts), and campers who are now using electric cooking appliances such as 1,500-watt air fryers (12 amps at 120 volts).
It’s no wonder that 30-amp shore power plugs are melting down and many RVers are demanding 50-amp (actually 100 amps at 120 volts) pedestal outlets.
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What about EV charging?
Yes, you can buy your own Class-2 charger for your EV truck or toad, which can charge its batteries from 0 to 100% in 10 hours or so. However, this will cost the average campground at least $12 in electricity (at 11.2 cents per kWh business average in the USA).
Here are the numbers: An EV with a 100kWh battery can take 10 hours at 40 amps and 240 volts with a Level-2 charge to recharge completely. Since 100kWh (kilowatt hours) times 11.2 cents per kWh equals $11, that’s at least $12, adding in a little for efficiency losses.
That’s in addition to whatever other power you’re using for air conditioners and electric appliances. Plus, electric space heaters are just as power hungry. Many campgrounds report that their monthly electric bills are tens of thousands of dollars. Yikes!
Is this why campground power is so poor?
Yes, I think that’s a large part of it. Campground owners consider electricity bills to be a loss leader (again, they can pay tens of thousands of dollars per month). So there’s no incentive for them to upgrade power or even maintain the pedestals.
And be aware that to upgrade even a medium-size campground with modern wiring and pedestals that’s capable of supplying all the power you demand without voltage drop, can cost upwards of $500,000, even with volunteer labor to help dig the trenches. And have you seen the price of copper wire lately? It’s more than doubled in the last two years.
Can campgrounds really automate electricity billing?
They most certainly can. There’s a number of companies making smart pedestals that can turn the power on and off at specific times, and that will automatically charge your credit card on file.
Just like your electric bill at home, if you use more, you pay more; and if you use less, you pay less. Here’s the quote from Wild Energy about their latest smart pedestals. Of course, this is being pitched to campground owners about investing in Smartposts, not the end consumer who has the pay the bill. Read more HERE.
“We have patented technology to convert power pedestals into “Smartposts” which can be controlled, monitored, and metered remotely. Easy to install with a great return on investment. Transient / overnight, and long term seasonal options. Fully Automated Parks? Yep, we can do that too!”
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Will metering pedestals force campgrounds to provide better power?
I would hope so, but I’m not Carnac the Magnificent. I can only show my equations and report the numbers I calculate. After that it’s up to market forces and the cost of electricity to drive this trend. But I do believe it’s going to happen sooner rather than later, especially for new campgrounds being built.
So please take the survey below and add any (polite) comments. Yes, we all hate the extra costs, but if you want to dance you need to pay the fiddler.
Let’s play safe out there….
Send your questions to me at my new RVelectricity forum here.
Mike Sokol is an electrical and professional sound expert with 50+ years in the industry. His excellent book RV Electrical Safety is available at Amazon.com. For more info on Mike’s qualifications as an electrical expert, click here.
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##RVT1045
We strive to be a family focused on minimal usage and conservation. Whether at home or out and about anywhere, if everyone pays the same flat rate, we are subsidizing others. I’m all for metering anything and everything. Pay to play.
Please, let’s not be stupid!
The cost of the electricity has always been built-in to the price of renting the spot in a campground.
I guess I did not realize there was a problem with this. Yes I understand the energy crisis, put never really thought about how it affected the RV parks I use. Thanks for waking me up.
I said no to the question because little is explained except it will cost me more to park. I want to see how this plan will be implemented, how the additional revenue generated is allocated, and how the amount increased will be determined ( KW costs). My greatest concern is with all of these EVs, why am I being charged higher rates to get ahead of the curve. I didn’t think subs could sell utilities to individuals. If that’s the case, another call for better regulations of non-governmental operated campgrpunds.
We use a campground on Lake Okeechobee that always has a breeze so u really don’t need AC but I know locals who move to nonmetered sites during the warm months for the cheaper electric.
My problem with them is they add on to the FPL rates. They haven’t repaired any of the broken pedestals in 6 years.
And being city employee’s they don’t work weekend and holidays and cheap campers have figured that out and show up for the free camping and electricity 🙁
In Michigan the only way to sell/charge for electricity if you are a public utility.
Here, here. Want to charge for electricity, produce it first and I will buy; maybe. Cost??
In most states sub entering of power is not legal.
I voted yes but only under a few circumstances. I am happy to pay for what I use and welcome the ability to have a choice about that. What I am concerned about is that currently the nightly rate I pay factors in electric consumption so if I am to pay that separately I should see the original included amount removed from my nightly bill so that the campground/park is not double billing for electricity.
The RV industry needs to move to compressor ac
If you use more pay more, and of course less pay less. That being said it is a private business. I have the choice where to stay
U don’t need to run ac/ heat all day, about as useless because of no insulation factor, n if u have pets or med issues.. pay g to or it or stay home
On a trip thru the south a few years ago there were several As with 3 AC going 24/7. Never saw anyone outside. How about charge a 30A at a different rate than 50A
I said maybe and the reason has to do with what the the campground is changing. The concern is like most things what starts as a good or fair idea and soon becomes abused. If campgrounds are going to charge for electricity we should know what the local rate is per kilowatt is and what the meter reading was at the start and end and the boxes should have locks as some folks are less then honest.
I said No but there really wasn’t a choice that I felt was appropriate. We are one of those electricity hogging RV’s – 3 A/C’s, induction cooktop, microwave, etc. – so I certainly understand that we use a lot of electricity. But we also normally stay in resorts that charge $100+ a night. Most of those resorts also have reduced monthly rates and then also bill for electrical usage. For shorter term stays, if the campground is willing to pass along most (or at least some) of their savings to me, then I’d be happy to cover my own electricity. But if they are going to continue to charge the same high fees while pocketing that extra $10K/month or more, then a loud and strong NO
My aunt used to have to insert quarters into her electric meter on Beacon Hill in Boston, in order to get electricity. Probably saved a lot of money – the electric company didn’t have to bother with billing & collecting, and the residents could see in real time how much electricity they were using, and likely conserved lest they run out of quarters.
I have seen posts by people planning on using campground electricity to charge their electric vehicles. With the number of electric tow vehicles and the cost of gas, I expect this type of use will increase. Major upgrades aren’t going to happen without some way of paying for them. I want to have electricity available for me when I need it, so I would rather each person pay for their own electric use; that would incentivize the upgrades that will make sure everyone has electricity – and as much as they need. Otherwise everyone will be resorting to generators – not ideal.
I manage a RV Park where power was included in the monthly rent. Some monthly renters power bills were over $200. Running multiple AC, washers/dryers and space heaters. When I increased the monthly rate I also added a power usage notice stating power usage over $100 month would be billed to the renter. Amazingly, all those using over $100 monthly suddenly used 50% less power.
Here are the numbers: as of 2017 the NEC has raised the service requirements to 12,000 watts (12 kVA) per 50-amp pedestal. Once a campground has more than 36 campsites the demand factor is 41%, so that’s 4,921 watts per pedestal. If we assume a 50% duty cycle that’s roughly 2.5 kW x 24 hrs = 60 kWh per day per site. At 12 cents per kWh that’s $7.20 per pedestal per day. Multiply that by 500 campsites and 30 days, and that’s a $108,000 per month electric bill for the campground.
nice mathematical equation, however you forgot to mention how much they charge 500 campers for 30 days.
definitely something has to be done because the new generation of campers have all the luxury and power grabbing devices and forget the reason for camping is to get OUT TAKE A BRAKE FROM HOME
Your point is well taken, but that wasn’t intended to be a Profit & Loss statement on how to run a campground. That would require a full study that would include all kinds of variables that are different for each state including local taxes, labor costs, franchise fees, water bills, and a hundred other costs. I can only focus on electricity since that’s what I know the most about.
I am with the group that says do it, but adjust the daily charge. Right now we are weekend campers.
All costs must inevitably be passed on to customers. Increasing numbers of people traveling with EVs will make this inevitable. All things considered, I just assume that EV owners pick up the full tab for the power they’re using instead of me.
I agree!!
This is just another way for the campground to charge us more. I’ve hit these places in south Texas and Florida. They charged me at least 25 cents per kilowat when they were paying around 10 cents.
I should have also mentioned that I have leased sites where I paid my electric bill to the electric company. That’s a much better deal. I intend to stay away from campground billing of my electric.
If they LOWER camping fees to a far more reasonable rate.
Everyone…. Remember I’m talking about smart pedestals that can automate the meter reading and payment process. 😁
Might pay more for Power if it could save on Overnights. .. but then Campgrounds raise Prices anyway. Many of them taken in $200,000 Per Month ++++.. Do the Math next time you stay at a Large Full Private Campground…
I would however pay for adequate Internet Reception!.. Tengo es No Buena!
Should I write an article about WiFi Internet reception in campgrounds? I’m qualified to do that.
Over-nite or for a few days should have electricity included in nightly fee. If for weekly, monthly or yearly then meter them. One thing not mentioned is washer & dryers in rigs & even dishwashers. Doesn’t matter if older or newer rig we see people putting up cubby doors & doing laundry. People doimg Podcasts for hours, etc.
I’m somewhere in the middle. Have it Free up to a certain limit then you pay for what you use.
That is exactly what I was going to suggest. We stayed at a park in Alamogordo that did that. They would bring you to your spot when you checked in and would take a meter reading. When you left, you took your own meter reading and paid the “overage” from the standard “included” electrical service on an honor system, dropping a check or cash in the locked drop box at the exit.
No. Have done this twice, and it wound up keeping me at the campground on departure morning an extra 2 hours, so I could pay a dollar a night for power. What a waste of time and effort. If you want to recoup losses from energy hogs, check their kilowatt hours daily and bill them for anything over ‘normal’ use. Don’t punish me.
I’ve never had a problem with power at a campground and now with 1000w solar panels, 200ah lithium batteries, and 2000w inverter along with a soft start (and a 2300w genny for backup) I don’t really need it.
Most of our RV friends agree, the cost is way too high at so many RV Parks, more than hotel stays in a lot of places, so NO to paying “extra” for electric. In fact, many say those parks will be put on a social media DO NOT GO list, if they start pulling that. Enough is enough!
With the cost per night going over $175 per night in the Florida keys, I would hope you get your electricity for free! KOA seems to be who started this serious increase in prices from what we have seen and heard this winter. The lower Keys are hitting the pocketbook hard!
RV parks need to recoup their costs for upgrades (obviously), but this should not be used by other parks to ‘price up’ their stays just because ‘the market price’ has increased. Unfortunately, that happens way too often by less than forthright Park Owners (i.e. Big Corporations). I’m willing to pay for what I get, but things like this will only force RV’ers to stay in lower quality parks, without the benefit of quality 50A power.
Parks that charge for power can only charge the same price they pay. They are not allowed by federal law to charge more. Paying for what you use if you are running 2 or 3 AC units and big residential fridges and washer/dryers is only fair to those that have one AC, RV fridge and no washer/dryer.
You do realize that most RV fridges consume more electricity than residential fridges, right? My Samsung 18 Cu. Ft. uses 1.1A max (that would equate to about 132 watts) but it seldom even runs so the only time it would hit max would be when first cooling down for a trip…which is usually in my driveway and I pay for that anyway. 🙂
Electric Co. supply generally stops using their own poles & wiring at a designated spot by the campground (this is where Elec Co. Price stops), then campground used it’s equipment such as pedisals, wiring. This gives them the right to charge whatever they can get! Some are “GREEDY HOGS”, some want repeat customers.
I am willing to pay for metered power, but the cost of the site must be adjusted accordingly. Theoretically we now pay for power now, so without a drop in the site cost, the campground is double dipping.
Nope, I’m tired of giving businesses the break. They need to pay for the services they are offering and stop transferring the cost to the consumer. This isnt just an RV park issue though.
Yes I have 3 ac units and have no problem paying for metered elec. I think it’s only fair that I should pay for what I use.
Thank you from someone with one ac.
My understanding is that most (all?) campgrounds that charge based on power use do so only to long-term travelers (i.e., those staying for at least 1 month). I cannot recall staying at any site with an electric meter. However, if they become the norm, then we likely would use less electricity. Not sure, but might.
Yes to power meters at each pedistal -IF- the campground lowers it base prices. Then each camper can decide how much electricity to use and to pay for.
Now, the campground owner will say ‘Hold on, it’s going to cost me a lot of money to upgrade my electrical service and distribution, including the new meters.’
The camping public needs to respond ‘No, you hold on. You can and should recoop your investment by charging an appropriate price per kWh to those who use the kilowatts. This price will be higher than your campground pays to the electrical utility for wholesale power, which you then retail to each camper.’
And, don’t forget to include in your planning the likely fact that overall electric useage will (may) go down when each camper pays for their actual useage.
Campgrounds are not allowed to markup the rate the pay per kWh. So if they pay 12 cents per kWh, they can only charge you 12 cents per kWh. That’s how it works unless they want to become a licensed power company.
Absolutely they should charge for it. Right now I am in a campground paying the same amount as the guy next to me with his 3 air-conditioned and his electric vehicle plugged in. So in effect I am subsudizing his use. I will gladly pay for what I use.
Over the years, I’ve stayed at several RV parks that have electric meters at each (or most) site(s). I know to snap a picture on arrival and again just before I depart. I then KNOW exactly how much “juice” I’ve used and, can check if I’ve been over billed for power. As far as I’m concerned, it’s the fairest way to treat park guests.
The fairest way is to pay for what you use. And now with electric vehicles coming on the scene, usage will be drastically different from one camper to another. If a flat rate system is used, I’ll be paying for somebody elses electric even though I use very little.
Interesting that this article shows today, as we are currently camping at Wine Country RV Resort in Paso Robles. Walking around the campground today we noticed that about 1/4 – 1/3 of the pedestals have meters attached to the tops of them. We chatted with one person staying in a site with a meter and asked if they were having to pay for metered electric and they are not, or not aware (I’m sure they would have been told). I’ll be curious to see if this becomes a ‘thing’ especially this summer where temps can exceed 100 degrees during the day time. We’re going to drive over to another ‘Sun Resort’ this afternoon and see if meters are also being added there. I understand, to a degree, but there has to be balance. Are they going to meter water, in this drought ridden state as well. If so…..what are our fees going to be covering, or will they be reduced…..HA!
I’m OK with metered electricity, but the problem I have is that the cost is already baked in to the “nightly” or “weekly” rate, and I know those prices won’t come down if electricity becomes an “add on.”
If campgrounds offered a significantly reduced rate for dry camping (no hookups) I’d spend many more nights in campgrounds and many fewer at Camp Wally World while en route to my destination(s).
Simple solution: meter/charge for 50A posts and not 30A posts. 30A (3.6KW) sites generally cost $5 (rarely $10) per night over no-AC sites, and it’s HARD to use more than $5 worth without melting your plug. 12KW rigs can easily consume absurd power over their surcharge, and YES should be metered since not ALL users abuse it.
I agree with many – RV parks charge for long term stay but transients do not have to pay. The nightly rate is already high to cover for RVs. But, no way should the park have to absorb the cost to charge an electric vehicle. The RV park I am in use to give the 7th day free on weekly but not anymore. Because of the drain another good reason to have a surge guard on your power line.
Here in Louisiana, it is not legal for anyone other than an electric utility to sub-meter the electricity for billing purposes. Thus meaning trailer parks, marinas, multiple occupancy buildings, hotels, motels, etc. are disallowed from the practice.The same rules apply to gas and water, also with the respective utilities. If an individual campground site is to be metered, the utility would be responsible for guaranteeing meter accuracy and readings, all the wiring up to the meter. The electric distribution system would be independent from the campground owner’s electric distribution system. This would likely be cost prohibitive for a campground to retrofit without a major capital outlay to offset the utility’s costs of installing and maintaining the distribution facilities for a very low return on investment. It should also be noted that the traditional campground is already receiving a much lower rate/cost (due to diversification) of electric consumption than typical residential rate
I asked my buddy who owns the local campground what he does. He put $10 chinese digital meters in each post’s box. His resort (annoyingly?) leads everyone to and from their site and helps them pull in – so he records the start/stop watthour readings while there. Your site includes 50KWh/day of power, and he’ll charge 20c/KWh over that when you check out. He does allow EV charging (you’ll just pay if not there long enough to average back out).
a metered electric post is ok…we have that in our snowbird park. but it should be accompanied by a corresponding drop in space rental.
I don’t think most campgounds are struggling to meet electrical demands.
The current way, where long term residents pay for their own electric, but short stay folks it’s included, is the best way to go. Leave well enough alone.
That’s how it works where we are in Nevada. Most of the people here are snowbirds and are here for the winter. We pay our own electric. The park pays water and trash pickup. They also offer free Wi-Fi, but most people contract with a local provider. TV, you’re on your own. Many people have antennas that pick up most of the channels they want. They also maintain the sites where people leave their rigs for the summer. There are a number of permanent mobile homes and that is what we have. In that case, it operates like any other mobile home park. They just upped the rates for the first time in 15 years. Mostly to offset a raise in taxes and insurance and cost in maintenance. I think each park owner should decide for themselves how to handle the power. One size does not fit all. Our little desert town does not have a car charging station and I can’t see one going in any time soon.
I think most places get enough out of the nightly rate without metering.
Is the “energy surcharge” of $7 a day that someone mentioned a way to get around the law in most states that a non-public utility (a campground) can only recoup their actual cost? Averaged out, the most we’ve ever paid was $4.30 a day.
We’ve paid between 8.5 cents per KWH in Naples, FL to 16 cents per KWH in Bradenton, FL. We pay 12 cents per KWH in Ohio.
Do people realize they likely are not really paying for just their electricity usage? Campgrounds read the meters, remotely or in person, on set dates. I always ask the office the cost per KWH when we arrive, take a picture of the meter when we arrive and the day we leave and compute my own cost.
At one place the office said they read the meter on the 26th of each month to give them enough time to prepare the bills. I protested that we arrived on the 1st. The office said we’ll get “five free days” that the next people will pay for because “it all averages out”. Yeah, averages out for them.
I beg to differ with your disposition on this matter. We have over 200 meters in our park that we read every time somebody checks out. We also photograph the meter and attach that photo to the check-in documents. We are regulated as to what we can charge for power which is strictly a pass-thru charge that can be no greater than what the Utility charges us per KWh, the reality is we lose money on every read. We have to pay for meters, and pay people to read them which is almost a full time job due to the size of the park. Only charging people for what they use is the fairest way to go and nothing benefits us at all, we could just slap a number on the daily, weekly or monthly site cost and make money, so before you go implying that Campgrounds/Parks are taking advantage with Meter reads think again.
All of the seasonal snowbird RV parks in AZ, NM, TX, and FL that we have used charge separately for electricity and cable TV. I don’t mind that at all because I can regulate how much pedestal power we use. With our solar panels, lithium batteries, and an inverter, we generally need pedestal power only at night when running the induction cooktop, convection microwave, TV, electric blanket, etc. The fridge is 12v, so can work 24/7 off the batteries. We have used the AC exactly one time while snowbirding. We were in the Phoenix area on Presidents Day weekend and had 90 degree temps in mid-February! But then, 90 beats being here at home in Colorado with -11 that same weekend.
We stayed at a park in the Thousand Springs area of Idaho that gave a choice of a fixed FHU 50 AMP daily rate of $45 or $20 + metered electric at their cost of $.10 per kWh. I chose the latter and came out WAY ahead. And that is in a 43′ DP with 3 ACs in the upper 90’s daily (shaded site).
It’s “fair” to charge separately for metered electric as long as ALL the average site electrical usage cost (not infrastructure cost) is removed from the site fee. My fear in today’s environment is they’ll leave the site fee as-is and tack the metered electric on top of that further increasing the total site cost.
If metered for my usage only, I have no issues with it. I certainly think it’s fair to pay for what I used vs a service charge, where I may or may not have used enough personally for said service charge, yet I maybe paying for someone else’s electricity. It is also depends on where your camping. If it is summer time and temps are hot, then yes i’m running both A/C’s and I would be willing to pay for that. Everything is going up in overall costs. Eventually all campgrounds will have to implement some sort of service or meter charge. It’s not a question of if, but when. Safe travels.
I was in Springfield, Mo some time ago and they added a charge based on whether or not you had an air conditioner.
With the increase in electric vehicles and more electric in RV’s such as electric stoves, ovens, residential refrigerators. Campgrounds will have no choice, but to charge. It won’t be fair for others to pay for energy hogs.
In Illinois (unless it’s been repealed) you can’t resell electricity at a profit, I wouldn’t have a problem if billed for what I was using at current costs. I understand the other side when users decorate their campsite like a carnival on the parks power bill.
Currently campground cannot mark up kWh rates. But they can charge a flat hookup fee.
You have a 40′ MH with 4 slides, 3 ACs, and an EV toad on the campsite right next to my popup with no AC. We both pay the same for the campsite which means that I have been subsidizing your camping. Bring on the meter and see if you like paying your fair share for a change.
I marked no way, but in all fairness, I would not mind paying for electricity that I use, but only if they reduced the outrageous prices of RV parks. What’s fair is fair and I don’t go crazy with my electric use while in a campground. I don’t have lights strung out over my site and sit outside with my tv and heater going. I have soft starts on all 3 airs and usually only run one unless it is really hot out, like 95 to 100. I also upgraded all inside lights with led’s. I don’t really have to have electric, since I have a 10k generator and it can power all I have. Most parks are dismal in their electric boxes and I find melted and poorly installed boxes in many campgrounds. No, I don’t go to resorts, that is for people who think they are on vacation. We have full timed for going on 9 years and we don’t act like we are on vacation either! We own a well maintained diesel pusher that when new sold for a 1/2 million and I take care of this rig, as it’s my home! I also can run on 30 amp!
Florida parks have added a $7.00 per night energy charge. That is more than I pay for my 2 story Fflorida home with 2 ACs in August. I believe in paying what I owe but I resent subsidizing others energy use. So yes, I would rather be metered.
Secondly if parks are going to add electric charges then their rates for renting the spot should drop from their current rates as they currently covering their electric expenses with that lot rent.
As a Florida resident I didnt know this but then I cant even get in to our local state parks for camping. We have also found that in many state parks through the country while camping fees have sky rocketed there are fewer and fewer rangers and these fees are obviously not reinvested in the campground or even in the park. Typical mismanagement and another “hidden” tax on the little guy.
Anytime you go to a park for more than a week you are put on a meter, every time we check in for extended stay we’re always put on a meter. Short term campers are not metered but the overnight or weekly rates are calculated to account for electric usage. I’ve been told that by 2 different campground managers when I inquired about rates.
I’m torn on this. On one hand my wife and I really feel like campgrounds already charge over what we get out of them. We have a travel trailer and really don’t use or want many things like pools, etc. and we rarely use electric outside of a few lights which our solar panels can easily keep up with. We take our camper across the country to get out and see nature, not sit inside and watch TV. If power metering would lower the nightly site cost I could get behind this but that isn’t going to happen and folks like us will see the cost go up. I feel for the owners but I wonder how much prices can rise. Our trip to Glacier this September has us finding only one place with capacity and the cost is around $80/night. I can find some hotels, not the best of course, for that price.
If the park provided great 1, 2, or longer week rates then yes to metering. But just a few nights camping is already expensive.
People think everything is free and pile on loads because of that logic. When they have to pay for it, they will most likely be more conservative in their usage.
Since we camp without A/C, without a TV and without an electric stove/oven, yes, we would love to be metered. It is more fair. Right now, a tent site or non-electric site is only a few dollars more than an electric one (usually) and we feel like we pay for electricity that we don’t get much value of.
Many parks now charge an extra $5 or $10 dollars if you have 2 ac’s. But usually only during the summer months when it’s peak usage time. I’m ok with that as long as the pedestal supplies steady power and doesn’t fluctuate.
My coach is 50 Amps, I can live on 30 amps with no problem. I run my bedroom A/C all the time when we are sleeping just for the white noise, beats listening to the furnace cycling all night and sometimes noisy neighbors.
I think the question of would I be willing to pay for metered power is a little more complicated than a simple yes or not. First, the cost of implementing a metered system has to be included into the cost of renting a site. This can be prorated for a year or so but it will increase the site rental cost. The cost to hire someone to read each camp site meter when a renter vacates must be factored in. An automated system would cut this cost but the automated system has a cost and would be factored in. Disagreements on how much power was used is sure to surface and campground owners may need to take time away from other maintenance activities to address this or hire someone.
Perhaps a simpler and more efficient system would be to have a pricing tier that charges for a campsite based on 50/30/20 amp hookups. This isn’t a completely fair system but for those who don’t need 2 AC’s running all the time, a 30 amp hookup may suffice and save a little money.
There will always be the cheaters will sign up for 30A and plug into 50A so you will need someone to go to the pedestal to unlock only the 30A outlet.
Actually this can be under computer control and it’s measuring kWh. So if you start on a 30-amp outlet and move to a 50-amp outlet, the extra electricity you’re using will be automatically billed to your credit card on account.
A 240 volt car charger? Boy, that’s really gonna get on the minds of those that are still on the “RVs are only 120 volt” kick.
All 50-amp pedestals should be wired with 120/240-volt split-phase power, exactly like what comes into your house in the US. And a campground pedestal can supply 240 volts for an EV charger, or even some coaches that have 240-volt dryers, etc. But the vast majority of RV electrical systems use each split-phase leg separately, which is 120 volts.
Even though we have 2 AC units, we seldom run both at the same time. We are pretty conservative with our electrical use in general anyway, making sure we shut off lights and don’t leave tv(s) running. Having LED lights helps, too. Unfortunately, there are short term campers that we’ve seen leaving lights on all night, tvs/radios running when not there, etc.
I think charging for electric makes sense for long term stays, but not short (30 days or less). That is how most parks we stay at deal with the issue and we are fine with that status quo.
We are currently long term in a Florida park and are charged approximately 11 cents per kWh and our bills are not unreasonable on top of our site fee.
Yep! In the summer time I am one of the aforementioned “Energy Hogs”.If a park wants to charge me based upon my energy usage…then I am ok with it..it’s nothing different than being at home.