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I had recently switched electric company to get a better deal with our kWh rates. Our first bill was a 14 day billing cycle and it states that we used 287 kwh. Now I just got my next bill in and it jumped to 4227 kwh used. Our first bill was $58 and now our second bill is $584. I called the electric company to try and tell them that I think something is wrong with our meter but they insisted that it was fine. I asked them to send someone out to do a re-read on the meter but they kept on insisting that it was accurate. I finally asked to speak to a manager and they send me to the "Customer Service Line". I had to explain again why I believe my bill was incorrect and yet I did not get any help. Within that 32 days of the billing cycle we did not use our A/C. My house is only 1100 sqft. I did not add any new appliaces or used the A/C so it shouldn't have jump that high. Could anyone tell me if there is something I can do to get my bill adjusted or to get help with this?
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Have you checked the meter reading yourself? Our bill tells us how to read it even. Just maybe check it to be sure it wasn't a mistake in reading or entering the reading? I don't know what else to tell you, sorry, but I'm sure someone will have good advice. Hope you can resolve it asap!
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Yes, while I was on the phone with the electric company they asked me to read it. When I gave them the numbers they said according to the numbers I gave and the last read it's accurate, but I still say that it's wrong. They can say that's it accurate all they want but there's no way that we used almost 15 times more electicity. Don't know what else to do.
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That is insane. Could you call the BBB or something like that to make a complaint that they won't work with you?? I could never afford that bill either, thats nuts!!!!
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welcome sorry u are going through this. have u asked if there were start up costs? did the first bill encomposs the entire month? the only thing I can think of is start up costs. I only have one option for electric so I have never switched b4. HTH
allgirls
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I would contact your state's Public Utilities Commission and find out what to do next, there has to be some way to make them look further into it, it just can't be right! Good luck!
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I agree with JessicaM. When ever you have a complaint or problem that you cannot resolve with any utility company, your next call should be to the Public Service Commission. Sometimes they can tell you how to resolve the issue on your own, but more often than not, they will look into the problem for you. Of course as with most anything there is a little paperwork on your part, but to get this matter resolved it would be worth it.
Something else to think about. Is it possible that the meter has been estimated? Maybe the first bill was estimated. Irreguardless of what the electric company says, they do estimate. Seems to be going on more frequently now across the country than ever before.
You can also check your meter to see if it is defective on your own by simply shutting off EVERYTHING in your house, this means unplugging everything too. Take a look at your meter to see if it is still running and how fast. (This is how you check to see if someone else may be tapped into your meter and stealing electricity) Also, you can shut off the main power at your fuse box and again check the meter. Now nothing should be running and neither should your meter.
Do definetly call the Public Service Commission though and let them work this out for you. Boy I sure hope this isn't a sign of things to come for all of us. Geesh, gas prices are bad enough.
Good luck!
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Can you get a copy of last year's bill to show how many kwh were used last year at this time? That (and a few other months around it) would show a pattern. I would also persist in getting ahold of a manager and not some mindless dimwit who is only there to answer phones and look up data. Of course it looks right to them - their information is limited.
Good luck!
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I would also check and see if the meter has been tapped into.
Illegal hookups /utility thefts do happen.
Check with Consumer groups in area to see if there is any help or guidance through them.
Also check your billing- are there different rates for Peak/Off Peak hours? That can make huge impact if billing is that way. Read it carefully because Peak hours and off peak hours are different all over.
I was in Upper NY state and had NYSEG they Charged something like .10 per kw hour during primepeak hours 7pm-11pm .12 kw hourpeak 7am -7pmPEAK and .08 kw hour 11pm-7am offpeak hours. This was 20 years ago and those were high
When we first moved there I did not understand and we had all electric appliances including ceramic tile HEAT & HW Heater. Thought by waiting until after 7pm I would save a lot
Wrong after nearly 1 year there we met our neighbors who introduced us to ratesavers and timers to allow heating to charge before PEAK and minimal amounts during prime peak.
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My mom is going thru this same thing right now. Her last couple bills were almost $300 - and she lives in a 700 sf condo by herself and conserves her electricity. She contacted the Attorney General who sent her letter to the Utilities Commission people. They came out and checker her meter -- said everything was fine. She also argued with the electric company, they too insisted everything was fine. There is no way she went from a $58 bill last year at the same time to almost $300 this year. And her kwh showed more than what we use -- and our house is twice the size with 5 people! let us know if you get anywhere with this and what you did. Good luck.