$375 Electric Bill
By matersfish
@matersfish (6306)
United States
December 9, 2012 4:06pm CST
Yeah. You read that right. This month's electric bill: $375.
Last month's: $112.
So, what the heck is going on here? Did I use so much more electricity in November than October? No. Actually, it was warmer in November, and I didn't have to use as much heat, nor did I use as much hot water. And for Thanksgiving, I actually cooked mostly out on the grill, using charcoal.
So, was it carryover from previous months? Nope. All paid up.
Was it an error on their end? Oh, you better believe I called to ask. And when I got stonewalled, I went down there with the bill and asked wtf was going on. "Those are just the rates, sir" she said. "Have you thought about not using as much electricity?"
I switched out to those curly pasta lights in every fixture I have! I switched to ALL Energy-Star appliances, an investment that cost THOUSANDS of dollars to do, and the return on that investment is negligible if it exists at all. I use only cold water to wash. I insulate my windows and door frames well to save on heating and cooling costs. Not only do I turn off the lights when I leave a room, but I unplug appliances if I'm not using them.
This is ri-damn-diculous. The reason it went up: They felt like jacking up the rates! And it's been happening for years. One month it'll be just over $100, the next month it'll be $240. Then it'll go back down, then back up, etc. But $375?
THESE are the problems that lead to income disparity. This is why classes have trouble climbing. It isn't because that 1% clings tightly to their money and doesn't drop it from planes on the masses or put it in those phone-booths with the money-blowing fans. It isn't because employers aren't paying more per hour and inventing money to give away like the Fed.
It's because it costs too damn much to live! It's because every single time you get your head above water, BOOM, the hammer drops on your head and you have to pull money out of your hind parts to make it.
This is the town; it's government. It could be a private company they're dealing with jacking up the rates too. I don't know for sure; they won't tell me. They just have an "Oh, well" attitude about it, like it sucks to be me. But this is suspiciously right after they jacked the rates up on property taxes and on trash pickup. It's a money grab. And it pisses me off.
Are the utility rates going up where you are? (My electric also includes sewer and water, so it's not all just electricity. I just call it the "electric" bill.)
Shouldn't they be obligated to give you a warning that it's going to go up so much? Maybe you would use a lot less if you knew that using around the same amount would result in a nearly 300% increase!
And this is on top of milk, lunch meat, chicken, trash bags, dish-washing liquid, eggs, cheese, TP and paper towels, and other items jumping up significantly at the grocery store.
If bozos want to do something to actually help people, get off this stealing money kick to level things out with government assistance, and work to put a stop to this sudden and massive rate increase!
I switched out to those curly pasta lights in every fixture I have! I switched to ALL Energy-Star appliances, an investment that cost THOUSANDS of dollars to do, and the return on that investment is negligible if it exists at all. I use only cold water to wash. I insulate my windows and door frames well to save on heating and cooling costs. Not only do I turn off the lights when I leave a room, but I unplug appliances if I'm not using them.
This is ri-damn-diculous. The reason it went up: They felt like jacking up the rates! And it's been happening for years. One month it'll be just over $100, the next month it'll be $240. Then it'll go back down, then back up, etc. But $375?
THESE are the problems that lead to income disparity. This is why classes have trouble climbing. It isn't because that 1% clings tightly to their money and doesn't drop it from planes on the masses or put it in those phone-booths with the money-blowing fans. It isn't because employers aren't paying more per hour and inventing money to give away like the Fed.
It's because it costs too damn much to live! It's because every single time you get your head above water, BOOM, the hammer drops on your head and you have to pull money out of your hind parts to make it.
This is the town; it's government. It could be a private company they're dealing with jacking up the rates too. I don't know for sure; they won't tell me. They just have an "Oh, well" attitude about it, like it sucks to be me. But this is suspiciously right after they jacked the rates up on property taxes and on trash pickup. It's a money grab. And it pisses me off.
Are the utility rates going up where you are? (My electric also includes sewer and water, so it's not all just electricity. I just call it the "electric" bill.)
Shouldn't they be obligated to give you a warning that it's going to go up so much? Maybe you would use a lot less if you knew that using around the same amount would result in a nearly 300% increase!
And this is on top of milk, lunch meat, chicken, trash bags, dish-washing liquid, eggs, cheese, TP and paper towels, and other items jumping up significantly at the grocery store.
If bozos want to do something to actually help people, get off this stealing money kick to level things out with government assistance, and work to put a stop to this sudden and massive rate increase!2 people like this
13 responses
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
10 Dec 12
That is absolutely insane!!! They do it here too. They get away with it for some unknown reason and they don't have to answer to us or anyone else, how unfair! Our bill was $118 last month and the bill this month is $280 which was not as bad as yours but its still not right! We do the same thing every single month! Its crazy how they get away with it. The only thing they told us is its an estimated amount each month so it goes up and down. Um...that's NOT okay with me at all!
Your right about everything going up too. Its hard being able to pay bills and afford to eat and get gas in vehicles! If your not rich its really difficult to make it. I hate living paycheck to paycheck but most of us have no option. Saving? Not with these prices!
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
10 Dec 12
Yes. It is definitely insane! I'm usually in your same boat -- the rates go up, then it's okay; they're back up. But they have NEVER jumped this high before! And I don't know how the weather was where y'all are at, but here in VA, it was actually warm for most of November. I didn't need to run much electricity.
All I can guess is that they're trying some weird estimate and not a real reading, but they won't tell me. My bill is pretty much just giving the rates charged and the bottom line. It doesn't have any further info on it.
It could be a mistake or something, but the rude woman just tells me that it's the rates. All I know is that, yes, it's hard to stay on top of your bills when they just drastically change! You think you're doing okay and putting the money aside, but then they want more, more, more!
Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
10 Dec 12
I am in North Carolina so yeah it was warm here! I did not have much on either.
I think they are doing estimates and charging whatever they want to...They told me they just estimate it most of the time!
I totally understand... I am feeling really down right now trying to figure out how to pay things...
1 person likes this
@AidaLily (1450)
• United States
10 Dec 12
That is terrible.
They pretty much have different technicians that come out to check the meters. I know my electric company does. Mind you, it is a different technician each time and I do wonder if they just come out, look at the meter, and then write down whatever they want and you get charged for it. Some of them have small PDA like devices in which they use to enter the number they read off the meter so it sends it in. They do that with a few different utility companies.
1 person likes this
@Fatcat44 (1141)
• United States
9 Dec 12
Mater, you are blaming rates, which cannot change from month to month that much.
Have you kwh usage change much. It sounds like your kwh usage is different...and as mention in an earlier post, they may be estimating usage for one month, and then reading it for the next month. The rates should also be listed on cents per kw, so you can see the rates different. The only other thing, is if there is a fuel surcharge, but they are minimal right now because of natural gas is cheap.
Do you use electric for heating? If so, you need to get off from it and either switch to natural gas, or propane if natural gas is not available where you live.
Or the other problem is that you have something using a lot power some where that you are not knowledge of. A power audit could reveal where this is...i.e. like a sump pump that is left to run all the time, accidentally. Or some other unusual power usage.
1 person likes this
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
10 Dec 12
"you are blaming rates, which cannot change from month to month that much."
Yeah. 'Cept for they did. 
If they're trying to work up an average or any nonsense like that, I'm unaware. Besides, it shouldn't increase that much. But it did.
Using more electricity? Hardly. This past November was the warmest I ever remember. I kept the windows open half the time.
Thanks for the response.
If they're trying to work up an average or any nonsense like that, I'm unaware. Besides, it shouldn't increase that much. But it did.
Using more electricity? Hardly. This past November was the warmest I ever remember. I kept the windows open half the time.
Thanks for the response.1 person likes this
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
10 Dec 12
I used a bit more water and about 8% more electricity. That's all I know. Every time I try to ask them what's going on, I get no answers at all. I can't get in touch with anyone else to talk to.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
10 Dec 12
That's outrageous! Do you have a state corporation commission? They regulate rates and such and you should ask them if they can raise rates that high. Look at your cost per kilowatt hour and see if that has changed. If not, they might have mixed up your bill with someone else's.
Last month an electric company guy rang my bell to get into my fenced yard to read the meter and told me I should call because it was going to be cut off. Seems it wasn't in my name! So I called and sure enough, they'd given the guy the wrong address and I was in good standing. This made me wonder how often they mix things up and charge people for power they haven't used.
1 person likes this
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
10 Dec 12
I've called and visited, and I can't get any information out of them at all. If it's their mistake, it's one they don't want to admit. I think they take advantage of the fact that the bill gets paid. I don't wanna go off on a conspiracy rant here, but if the bill didn't get paid on time and I had to create some payment plan or file for assistance, I don't think the rates would jump.
To me, it's kinda like those bill collectors who only ask for more once you have started paying on time! If you're not paying them, they're willing to negotiate and to work up lower payment plans. But if you pay them a little, they instantly think you can afford to pay back everything in two or three payments.
As far as the corporation commission and all that, these are things I have to look into on my own now. Which I will. I assumed wrongly that I could just figure it out by contacting them and going down there. But being told to "calm down" only infuriates you, and having a passive answer like "those are the rates" is just condescending.
Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@lacieice (2060)
• United States
9 Dec 12
If you bill goes up and down every other month, you might want to check and see if its estimated or an actual read. My electric company estimates my bill every other month, and the estimated bill is always high. It messes up my budget big time, but then, the next month, the bill is lower because I have a credit. You may also be able to use a plan where you pay equalized payments all year.
And no, my electric bill has not gone up...in fact, it has come down. I live in PA, by the way.
1 person likes this
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
10 Dec 12
I don't know how they do it. They won't talk to me. Even if I ask them a simple question, I get a response like, "Sir, calm down."
I need some credit. I've paid 3 months worth of bills here. Bill me this spring!
Thanks for the response.
I need some credit. I've paid 3 months worth of bills here. Bill me this spring!
Thanks for the response.1 person likes this
@lacieice (2060)
• United States
10 Dec 12
It should tell you on your bill if it is estimated or an actual read. If they estimate it every other month, you should have the option to read it yourself and send it in. And you can ask them about equalized payments...then you pay the same every month, or almost the same.
1 person likes this
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
10 Dec 12
Yeah, Manasha, I hear you, man. I try all those things. I spent over $150 on new light bulbs back a few years ago before the prices went down. I've probably spent close to $5,000 on Energy-Star appliances just to use less electricity.
All I can think now is to build a couple of wind turbines out of old treadmill motors and fans from the junkyard! At least I can supplement with battery power.
Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@AidaLily (1450)
• United States
10 Dec 12
But... you can't make a lot of money if you don't squeeze it out of people who have less than you. Jacking up prices during a time where you might need a bit more for the holidays is the American way.
That being said as this reminded me of my own little fight with the electric company, these utility companies are out of control. I really wish I knew the person deciding the rates each month for the utility companies.
My gas bill for example was $10 last winter and no more than $20. In summer, when I can assure you that I wasn't using nearly as much heat it jumped up to $130. I looked at all my bills to see if I had a backed balance and everything. Nope. I called and got a really rude woman who just said I need to turn my heat off then and stop cooking so much. It was summer! I cooked outside on a grill and I definitely didn't have my heat on. I asked for the manager and got the "well the meter doesn't lie so you have to pay the bill or we will shut it off."
The electric company however was more "fun". I moved to a new place and told them to turn off the electric to the old place in exactly two days. I even made sure to call and remind them to shut it off. Not only did they not shut it off, they kept the electric on for an entire extra month. On top of that, I got charged a higher rate at the old place which made my bill $400 from that place for a month but in my new place just minutes away... my bill was only $40 for the month. The only energy star appliances I have are my printer, tv, and my cordless phones. It is the same electric company at that for both places and yet in one place with less electricity on the bill was $400 and the other with more electricity on was $40. They even explained it like that when I went down there and refused to either lower or put the other bill on a payment plan as they had "lost" the recording of the conversation and what I had to send to prove I was moving.
I really wish there was another electric company in the area, but there isn't.
1 person likes this
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
10 Dec 12
Oh, they're great at "losing" things! 
They've lost their minds long ago.
The thing that bugs me is that I can't get any answers out of them. Even if it's something I don't want to hear, like maybe my math is wrong and theirs is right, I wouldn't mind in the end. I'd just have to suck it up. But when you contact them, they treat you like you're not even a person.
Never would I ever condone the whole "going postal" thing, but I can see and even justify somebody getting slapped across the face for this nonsense. There's just no sense in it.
We also only have one option in the area: The town. If you want to get away from the town, you have to go with your own options, like wind or solar.
Thanks for the response.
They've lost their minds long ago.
The thing that bugs me is that I can't get any answers out of them. Even if it's something I don't want to hear, like maybe my math is wrong and theirs is right, I wouldn't mind in the end. I'd just have to suck it up. But when you contact them, they treat you like you're not even a person.
Never would I ever condone the whole "going postal" thing, but I can see and even justify somebody getting slapped across the face for this nonsense. There's just no sense in it.
We also only have one option in the area: The town. If you want to get away from the town, you have to go with your own options, like wind or solar.
Thanks for the response.1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
10 Dec 12
hi matersfish oh my thats highway robbery. I would contest that bill and ask them to c heck your meter. we had a too high bill for power once and tn that apartment complex two apartments had been one very large one at one time. then they put in a w2all and m de our two bed room and a one bedroom out of it. unknown to us though the electric meter had not been changed. So when we had too huge a bill we asked to have our meter checked. the meter reader inform us that the meter was reading our usage and our neighbors usage too so the Electric company took one third off the bill and billed the man next to us in his one bedroom apt
our bill was down to a reasonable size . at the time they gave his one bedroom a
power meter of his own. all this time the man had never paid a power bill. of course he then squawked but it was only fair. We did not want to pay for someone elses bill.
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
13 Dec 12
I can't "afford" to lose my electricity, so I don't want to contest it to the point that they'll cut my power off. I can't earn a living with electricity and Internet. That being said, I've still been on them.
What makes me the angriest is that they won't tell me anything at all. They won't offer up an explanation.
I'm hoping that, eventually, I'll be told that, like your situation, they were just reading the meter wrong or something. But it's hard when they won't even send someone out. When I ask anything at all, I'm told to "calm down." lol
But I'm just like you -- I DO NOT want to pay for someone else's bill! With so many other expenses, who can afford that?
Thanks for the response.
@aero89 (422)
• United States
3 Jan 13
It happened to us, too. Out of the blue, surprise! We haven't taken all the measures that you have, and reading your thread, I guess I'm kinda glad. That has to be maddening! And it's not fair.
I agree it costs too much to live; I was just saying God help me if they ever start taxing food in Ohio.
@Christoph56 (1504)
• Canada
9 Dec 12
I found myself in a very similar situation, last month... My regular power bill is about 70-150, depending on the time of the year, of course. Then, last month, my bill in the mail was over 500! It didn't make sense at all, I had even recently gotten new appliances that were energy star and I always keep down my heating... I mean, I even turn it on and off as I'm going in and out of rooms. So what on earth was going on?
The energy company was lucky that I got that bill at night, because it was too late to call them, and I was just peeved... I would have really yelled at them.
The next day, I went down to my power room for the building. I live in a 6-plex, and we had our monitors changed earlier this year. I found my power gauge, and took a picture of each of the numbers it was showing. I was able to see what the difference in power was per unit, overall since April, and mine was the lowest in the building... around 3500kw. The unit right next to mine, though was over 6000kw, and it turns out, this was the problem.
Somehow, the company had mistakenly mixed up mine and another unit in my building, and they just thought that, somehow, I had used more power in November, then I had in every other month combined since april.
They told me they were going to send someone down to inspect and change the number. I still haven't gotten my bill yet, and I have a feeling that it's still going to be insanely high because of some little mistake they made. I heard from another guy in the building, that his bill was about double what it was before, also... but I haven't heard from anyone that got a bill that was in the negatives, which is what would have to happen in this situation...
So what the hell is going on? I mean, are they making mistakes intentionally, because if someone doesn't notice, they'll just pay it off, anyways? Are they giving extremely cheap rates to some? I highly doubt it... because it seems like they want to try and suck every penny they can from us...
1 person likes this
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
10 Dec 12
I thought a few of the same things here, that it must have been a mistake, a misreading, something. But they won't answer any of my questions. They just tell me it's the rates. And since it's the town I'm dealing with, I guess I'd have to go to the state to complain further. And that's more trouble than $375, even considering the principle of it all.
It's just nonsense. If it's not down by at least 200% next month, I'm not paying it and I'm breaking the damn box and getting solar panels.
Thanks for the response.
@FrugalMommy (1438)
• United States
10 Dec 12
My electric also includes sewer and water, so it's not all just electricity. I just call it the "electric" bill.
Um, are you totally sure that the extra charges are from your electric use? The only time I've ever seen a bill go up like that was on our water bill when one of the toilets wasn't working right. The thingie in the tank was sticking and the toilet would just keep running and running. I wonder if something like that is what's made your bill go up so much this month. Did you sit down and look at your recent bills to see where the usage difference was? I don't think something that big could just be from the rate change. 
1 person likes this
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
10 Dec 12
No. It's not just electric. As I said, I just call it the "electric" bill. Everything went up, but my usage increase was very negligible. This is on the heels of property tax increases and also trash pickup rates increasing, and they also threw in a new rule that you have to pay more money for garbage hauling.
Just recently I have fixed a leaking valve, put new guts in the toilet, and shortened by hot water outs so that the water doesn't have to run as long before it gets hot.
I'm doing everything right! They just charge what they want to charge. I can't get answers about any of it.
Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@asliah (11137)
• Philippines
29 Dec 12
hi,
i always try my best that my electric bill will never reach the amount of $20 because the more kilowatts we used the more vat and charge we have,like here in my country if you use less than 100 kilowatts your watt per hour will not exceed at 10,but when it reach more than 100 kilowatts,the more higher the price per watt hour.
@janeaustin (140)
• Singapore
9 Dec 12
Wow, that is a really big jump. These private companies, all they're concerned about is to line their pockets. They don't care about the little people. Prices are going up everywhere but salaries remain the same. How are people going to survive? Even prices for basic goods and essentials are going up. The government should control this and make sure that people don't suffer because corporations are greedy.
1 person likes this
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
10 Dec 12
Our local government is the culprit! A private company wouldn't be allowed to get away with a such an increase. They have laws against that. But no laws against government.
Just like insider trading is illegal for Martha Stewart. She goes to jail. But a politician can do it. Crooked.
Thanks for the response.
Just like insider trading is illegal for Martha Stewart. She goes to jail. But a politician can do it. Crooked.
Thanks for the response.1 person likes this
@robspeakman (1700)
•
9 Dec 12
That is a lot of Electricity for a month - that is about £250 in real money 
That kind of money would be high if it was the cost for a quarter - We are charged by the quarter in UK, that is three months.
Has one of your neighbour tapped into you supply?
.... Or maybe all the street
That kind of money would be high if it was the cost for a quarter - We are charged by the quarter in UK, that is three months.
Has one of your neighbour tapped into you supply?
.... Or maybe all the street@matersfish (6306)
• United States
10 Dec 12
I was looking for pirate gear like extension cords in the yard! I thought something like that must have happened.
Thanks for the response.
