Help me understand my electric bill

[NOKUY]

Ok...for some reason it seems like my electric bill is MUCH higher than usual (about 50% more than this time last year)...and I'm actually running less lights.

It seems that there has been a "new charge" on it that I don't think was on it until a cpl. months ago...I don't wanna call them just yet (I'm a month or so behind), but I figured you guys might know....and I don't have any old bills, because I destroy everything.

the charge that I don't recall is the "delivery charge"

here is exactly how the bill looks...(also, tell me if it looks really high, if the wrong person was to look at it)

from 03-08-2007 to: 04-06-2007

DISTRIBUTION
DELIVERY CHARGE (FIXED) $.03820/KWH 40.24
POWER COST ADJ (VARIABLE) $.06502/KWH 68.17
SALES TAX 1.10

CURRENT DUE 109.51


year to date kwh 4,522

 

[Guest]

Yep thats the newest trick! And if you think your bill is high you would drop dead if you saw mine

 

[NOKUY]

yeah, w/out the delivery charge thats about what I would expect.

my cabin is small, about the size of a 1 bedroom apt....that's why it seems so outrageous.

a friend down the road in the same amount of space (house size...he doesnt grow) he has never seen a bill over 20 bucks for electric.

 

[Guest]

I don't have any old bills, because I destroy everything.

Sorry, no advice really, but I know doing that (^^^^^) isn't a good idea.

 

[Guest]

Maybe your bill is high then.

 

[NOKUY]

Sorry, no advice really, but I know doing that (^^^^^) isn't a good idea.

why do you say that?

I cant think of any reason (other than my own refrence...which I wish I had right now) to keep them. If I really needed the records I could just get them from the electric company.

I just don't like keeping piles and piles of old bills

 

[stihgnobevoli]

Heres the secret, They dont really know how much electricity you use. Remember when a meter reader used to come out to your house and check your meter every month? When was the last time you saw a meter reader? I know i havent seen one in over 15 years. They just average what your bill is based on what it was last year, and everyone goes along with it because what do they know?

You only really have 2 choices in this matter. you can suck it up and pay the bill. or you can refuse to pay and tell them you want a meter reading. but since you are using your house to grow weed, i would advise you choose option one.

 

[green_grow]

no, your kilowatt hour usage doesnt look at all high for a dwelling the size you are describing. are you using electric heat ? a cold month using electric heat can account for a lot of power useage, but i cant see anyone getting remotely excited over your consumption. if you want to track things but not keep paper around, your utility company MIGHT have an on-line billing/payment option which MIGHT allow you to check previous bills.

 

[thc43]

just comming out of summer i was suprised with my latest bill only 50% of last in mid summer. seems my A/c uses more power than 3x600wt and the rest of the home lighting. She is a wall unit of 3200wts and when compressor comes on dims the lights for a second.

Temps without A/C only just reach 35c on a outside 40c day so i could just about do without or set the temp controller alittle higher 35c rather than 28c to save on this crazy amount of juice she uses. I only use it for a couple of months per year so cant really complain but feel for the lads in a sealed room.

 

[Guest]

Dude, I feel for ya. It gets totally rediculas. The gas bill really fires me up.
Here's mine this month - and it went down.

Service Charge $9.00
Delivery fee @$1.9967/Dth $12.30
Riders and other fees $2.63
Temperature Adjustment $11.64
Cost of Natural Gas Service $35.57
Customer fuel cost $54.92
Franchise Fee $2.72
City Tax $3.50
County Tax $0.34

Current monthly Charges $97.05

I have small children, so the heater is set for the night to run if it gets too cold so nobody gets ill and then just the water heater. The heat has only ran a few days during the day, when a cold front went through. I admit, I need to replace the water heater - not as efficient anymore, but goddamn!!

 

[Pops]

Nokuy, my brother, I really wish I had your bill. Your year-to-date kilowatt usage is less than my monthly usage.

 

[Humanure]

man , im in 900 sqft running only 650w, (400hps/250/hps) and my bills nearly 240 a month... i do have kids though.....

 

[JJScorpio]

You guys are lucky. I live in probably the worst place you can live when it comes to power and Natural Gas. Feb was bad at 478.00 for NG and electric, and thats good compared to some people....

 

[Humanure]

yeh, JJ i can relate, we were in a rate freeze for almost a decade, then it was lifted... we are & were spoiled on 96 prices... at least now our house is fully cfl lighted, and the air/furnace will not be run except on days where we need it badly.. sucks but its life on a budget..