High Con Ed Electric Bill or Not?

stargaze84 · December 2009

Hey everyone!

So I feel like this topic has been discussed before, but I could find anything resent so here goes: My boyfriend and I moved to Brooklyn recently and are renting a 1 bed railroad style. We have an LCD TV, 1 computer, x-box, lights - NO wish-washer or washer/dryer or A/C. We're home a fair amount, but pretty electric smart, turning off the TV and PC when we're asleep or not using it.

The first month we got an electric bill of $167, this month it was even more at $184!! To me, this seems insanely high. Back in Boston, some months I had bills in the 200 range, but that was in the summer with 2 room-mates, there computers, 2 A/C, a washer dryer, and a dish washer.

Could there be something wrong with our meter? Or does this seem normal to you all? Thanks!

armchair_warrior · December 2009

hmmm seems high, 4 people in one of my buildings in a 3br apartment only about 40 bucks a month.

xlizellx · December 2009

that does seem high -- we have a railroad, same sort of deal with stuff you have and pay like $75ish -- maybe call and have them check it out -- sometimes mistakes happen or they skip actually reading it and just guess.

neo-social · December 2009

I have a good a amount of sf. that is really high. Sounds like a summer bill. Or your lines are shared with another unit. Do you have a breaker box in your apt? We pay 70/ month. Don't let them get over on you flight it. Make sure you read the bills for kwh. Check the meters when they come out. Ask for documentation. Get the meter checked.

modsquad · December 2009

The first thing to do is turn off the main breakers at the meter and see if maybe the hallway lights go out too. this is the most common "mix up".
The second thing to do is in the apartment, turn everything off, no better yet you need to unplug everything. Everything, including unplugging all power sources, chargers and the like. Don't simply turn off all circuit breakers in the box. Then see if the meter continues to run. I knew of a situation where the back of the circuit breaker box had wire running to the next apartment so turning off the breakers never showed the meter running.
that is too high. I pay 220 a month for 2 frigs, half a dozen TVs, 3 desktops laptops whatever else 6 people leave plugged in to the wall. Not to mention the neon sign that says "DAYCARE FOR 20 SOMETHINGS"

rezist · December 2009

Your most likely paying for either the lights in the common areas of your building or part of and possibly all of the power usage for another unit... just like me. Call Con Ed and demand an audit, and contact your landlord as well. I'm waiting for my second visit from Con Ed regarding my specific case, and honestly I'm wondering what anyone could do about the situation. No one is going to rewire the building, so I guess my only option is to ask the landlord to pay the difference each month? Keep us updated.

modsquad · December 2009

You are only required to pay for utility service provided to your apartment. If you think that your utility bill seems too high or that your service connections are suspicious, you may have a "shared meter." This means that your utility meter is measuring gas or electric service to space or machinery outside your apartment (such as to public hall lights or another apartment). You may be paying for your service and someone else's! Because a shared meter is illegal, your landlord is responsible for all the charges on a shared meter.
Enjoy!

condoguy · December 2009

I agree with everything mentioned above except that we don't have the whole story. It is possible that you are running appliances and fixtures that are driving up your cost. The only way for you to be sure is by doing the math. You should add up the cost of your appliances that are drawing energy.

How many lights are in your apartment? Are you using electrical heating? Is your stove an electric range? Do you have a washer/dryer? How old is your fridge? etc.

Once you have those numbers, you can compare them to your bill. Then you will know if you are paying for the hallway lights, the neighbor's electricity, or if your meter is calculated incorrectly.

Good luck,
Marc
BPI Certified Home Energy Auditor
[email protected]

Electrical usage is measured in kilowatt-hours. Here are some estimates:
Lighting 200-2000
Fridge 500-2000
Dryer 300 - 1500
Television 100-600
Computer 50-400

rezist · December 2009

If you have access to your meter turn off and unplug everything in your apt. If the meter is still moving, it's shared.

domino · December 2009

TOO HIGH!!!! Most times my bills are b/w $60 and $90.

jay b · December 2009

rezist wrote: If you have access to your meter turn off and unplug everything in your apt. If the meter is still moving, it's shared.

I knew something was up with that electric bill...

inpixels · December 2009

Con Edison Billing Estimator

http://pulpsite.brinkster.net/ConEdisonCalculator.aspx

http://pulpsite.brinkster.net/home.aspx

Average Retail Price of Electricity to Ultimate Customers by End-Use Sector, by State
http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epm/table5_6_b.html

NEW YORK HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION IN 2001 A New York household consumed, on average, roughly half as much electricity as did a U.S. household: 5,974 kilowatthours (kWh), compared with 10,656 kilowatthours. The most significant end use was the operation of kitchen appliances.
http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/reps/enduse/er01_ny.html#Electricity

Kill A Watt
http://www.amazon.com/P3-International-P4400-Electricity-Monitor/dp/B00009MDBU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260328246&sr=8-1

ConEd Still giving out free CFLs?
http://www.dailyheights.com/archives/1128

Smart Strip
http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Strip-LCG4-Autoswitching-Technology/dp/B0006Q3B2W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260328520&sr=1-1

Average daily electricity usage
ApplianceWattsTime usedCost
Clock radio 10-24024 hours2 - 46 cents
Coffee maker900-12001 hour7-10 cents
Clothes washer350-50045 minutes2-3 cents
Clothes dryer1800-50001 hour14 - 40 cents
Dishwasher1200-24001 hour10 - 19 cents
Dehumidifier7853 hours19 cents
Electric blanket60-1008 hours4 - 8 cents
Ceiling fan65-175 6 hours3 - 4 cents
Hair dryer1200-187515 minutes2 - 4 cents
Portable heater750-15003 hours18 - 36 cents
Iron1000-180015 minutes2 - 3 cents
Microwave750-110015 minutes2 cents
Computer (CPU & monitor)2703 hours6 cents
Radio/stereo70-4003 hours2 - 10 cents
Refrigerator72524 hours46 cents
Flat-screen TV1204 hours4 cents
Toaster800-140015 mins2 - 3 cents
DVD player20-252.5 hoursless than 1 cent
Vacuum1000-144030 minutes4 - 8 cents
Water heater4500-5500(40 gallons) 36 - 44 cents
http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/SavingandDebt/P87298.asp

High Con Ed Electric Bill or Not?

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