Electric Bill issues

[Jim Tiberio]

I figured I'd try here, sorry if this is off-topic. My electric company recently sent me a bill that blew my mind. All summer my bill has been in the $125-$135 range. The most recent one came in at $389. There have been no changes at other than them switching my meter. I've checked with a number of my neighbors with similar sized or larger homes who also cool with central AC and they all say their highest bills come in around $150. This is bizzarre and the only responses I get from their customer service teams are 'You used it'. No help at all and I told them that I wanted the meter checked. No problem they say, I just have to wait until the end of December. Does anyone have any guesses as to what could have caused a jump like that? We didn't have a particularly hot month, cooler than past months in fact.

[Doug Miller]

Well, one obvious possibility is that the new meter is defective.

Another less obvious possibility is that the *old* meter was defective.

Also, it could be that they've been estimating your usage for a few months, guessing low each time, and they finally read the meter and got an accurate figure. It ought to show on your bill whether the charges are based on estimates or actual readings; if it doesn't, the utility company certainly can tell you which way they figured the bill each month.

[Jim Tiberio]

Only two of the last twelve were estimated and those were both in line with the rest. I'm really confused because like I said, no one else around here pays this much.

[PrecisionMachinisT]

You might check to make sure the multiplier listed on your bill matches the multiplier on the new meter.

[Robert Barr]

[mark]

anything new? Dehumidifier? halogen lighting? hot tub? anything running all the time? Fridge? freezer?

[Joseph Meehan]

It would appear to be related to the meter change (note taking into account your later information about estimated readings).

Could be the last reading on the old one was improperly recorded, or as noted some confusion about the meter rate. The same number on one meter does not always correspond to another meter.

Of course the big unanswered question is "Why was the meter changed?"

[SQLit]

Best guess is some one slipped their disco. Old meter had an reading of XXXX new meter MIGHT have had an reading of YYYY and they just subtracted. Unfortunately it happens. Try and get some one to deal with the situation in person. Bring you bills and sit down and ask simple questions. Never say it is your mistake.

Ask for the beginning meter reading. IF it is 0000 then the multiplier could be wrong. Be gentle almost willing when dealing with them. I have been in the trade for 35 years and have seen 3 bad residential meters. Usually it is an math problem i.e. humans not the meter.

Last resort call the utility commission and make waves there.

Comparisons from month to month can be faulty. Usually I try to do March to March. Good luck

[John Gilmer]

That's what he should do as soon as anyone at the utility gives him a runaround.

[John Gilmer]

Indeed!

There are all kinds of possibilitys including their ASSuming that the old meter was causing you to have been under billed in the previous months and now they are playing catch up.

BUT unless they give you an answer that makes sense (including information about the last reading of the old meter and the initial reeding of the new meter when it was put into service) then you need to take it to the state regulators.

Once you have sent the problem to the state, just pay you bill and wait for the bureaucracy to do its slow thing. If an adjustment is made you will get your money back with interest.

[pet]

Have you asked the utility company? Request an inspection. If not satisfied, contact local public service commission. Most states have specific rules governing meters and charges.

[pet]

Another possibility is a payment wasn't made or received or credited properly. The last is a real probability.

Since none on this board handle billing, check with your utility provider for verification.

[Mr. Bill]

Another option to consider while waiting for the utility company: In California when your utility charges are in dispute, you mail the billed amount to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and they let the utility know you are disputing the charges. You are not late and no harm comes to your credit; however, the State is holding the utility company's money in trust, pending a resolution. This might make your problem a little more important to resolve as the utility company is now receiving $0 from you.