WTF $500+ Electricity Bill ... Anyone else?

niner · July 2008

We haven't been here long, and our last bill from May -June was only $59. But from June to July its jumps to over $500. Has anyone else had this happen? We have 1 ac unit, but it only runs at night when were in bed. Otherwise all we have on is a refrigerator, tv, ps3 and 2 computers. When we lived in NJ, in our 1200 sqft apartment, it was at most $200 in the summer with the ac on more than it is now.

Any thoughts?

hamilton · July 2008

Call Con Edison and have them check it , someone may be tapping in on your line.

bullyboy · July 2008

That ain't right...

jocelyn · July 2008

probably an "estimated" meter reading, check your bill and see if it's an estimated or actual. then you can check your own meter and call in the reading or enter it online (i think). or you can have them come out and read it.

second guess is that yes, there is more than one residence on your meter.

niner · July 2008

We called ConEd. The lady on the other end laughed. She said there is almost zero chance its right. In fact she said it might be right if we're paying for the whole floor as it read that we used over 2100 kWh. Now we have to wait until the next meter reading on the 15th, and call back to try and get it fixed. We'll see.

brooklynred87 · July 2008

As comparison, we run one A/C unit almost constantly (husband works from home), fridge, two laptop computers. We use our overhead lights very little (prefer two lamps). All that said -- our June bill was around $90.

caseopele · July 2008

brooklynred87 wrote: As comparison, we run one A/C unit almost constantly (husband works from home), fridge, two laptop computers. We use our overhead lights very little (prefer two lamps). All that said -- our June bill was around $90.

Whoa, $90? I knew something was off with my ConEd bill last month. I live alone, run 1 A/C unit most of the time with the other on low fan. Computer's on maybe half the day, no lights until it gets dark, maybe the TV for a little while, and I unplugged everything that doesn't need to be plugged in. My bill last month was $137! Normally it's around $60, which I still think is a bit high for one person. I really need to check my meter tomorrow.

brooklynred87 · July 2008

Well, running a second unit (even on low fan) may be the difference there. We never run both units at the same time.

Oh -- and the June bill is about double our "normal" (read: non-summer/non-A/C) bill, so that's to be expected.

xlizellx · July 2008

Con Ed bills are up this summer:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2008/07/11/2008-07-11_new_shocker_from_con_ed_forget_13_hike_n-4.html

but $500? craziness.

mantic · July 2008

You think that is bad now eh?

Start saving your coins now... Winter is going to be a real bitch.

The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. There will be no more middle.

brooklynleather · July 2008

We have 3 people, 3 computers, 1 roommate who leaves lights on all the time, and 2 A/Cs (1 running almost nightly, 1 running sporatically) and it was still only $114.

I think you should check your meter and compare the reading to what is stated on the bill. Sometimes they estimate based on last year so if they haven't had access to your meter and you had some electricity-sucking former tenants int hat unit, it could be based on that.

caseopele · July 2008

Thanks brooklynleather, I had a feeling something wasn't right. My mother trained me well, never leave a light on when you walk out of a room! So I'm pretty good about that stuff but my bill has been higher than expected since I moved here. Have to get my neighbor to help me check it out tomorrow. My old man is too old and furry to go without A/C, he's 13 now and that's old for a big dog.

em26 · July 2008

2 a/c's running at the same time everyday for most of the day. Mines is usually set for an hour and then turns off. I don't let it run for more than 3 hours straight. The sis in law leaves her tv on all day and nite and her a/c running all night till the next day cuz she falls asleep and it's on. She has no timer or remote on hers, so it just blasts all night. Computer on for most of the day and nite. Even if nobody is on it. It goes into power save mode on its own. Kitchen light on all nite. Bedroom light on all nite bcuz the demon spawn goes nuts whenever her momma tries to turn it off. So they sleep with the light on. Living room light is off during the day. Our bill was about $200. It use to never go over $60 in winter time , and never over $100 in the summer.

naugastyle · July 2008

Hmmm...it never occurred to me that high bills might mean an incorrect reading. I'm now wondering if I should look into it. I have a 1 bedroom, and when I get home until I go to bed my TV is on (I don't even have cable, I just like the sound), computer is on, and I run a seriously crappy no-remote no-energy star AC almost daily. But I also try to keep the lights to a minimum, and the scenario above is for only 4 hours per day unless I go out after work. $116 for June, and I worry because I'm sure I ran the AC even more in July. Especially on those super-disgusting weekend days when it's hard to leave home.

I do have a remote-controlled, energy star AC w/ timer in my bedroom, which in a way would make sense to have in the living room but it's so much quieter I'd rather sleep to that one. Aaaand I almost never use it anyway because my bed is close to the window and feels cooler. So, maybe I'm just doing something wrong.... I've rarely had a bill lower than $60, even in the winter. Kind of a lot when you live alone.

drano · July 2008

I've read that the PS3 is a real hog, even on standby. Not that it would account for a bill that high, but worth keeping in mind.

WTF $500+ Electricity Bill ... Anyone else?

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