I don't know if it works the same everywhere, but our gas company does actual readings about every 4 month and then estimated bills for the rest of the months. If they estimate over, when they do the real reading, you wind up getting credit for the amount you overpaid. I don't like this system because the estimates are ALWAYS more than what my family uses and I would rather have the money sit in my bank and make interest for me instead of making interest in their bank for them!

Anyway, today the gas bill came. Our bill for last month was $100.98. That was an actual bill. This months bill came today. Estimated total? $300.00!!! Unfortunately, I have to pay it, but I know it is SO way over what our actual costs were. They are estimating it based on the usage at this address last year, however, we didn't live here last year, so I don't think that is fair.

I know it's the system, but we keep our house set at 60 for a reason! $300 is totally inaccurate and I hate it! (I know, I know...I'll be loving it when I get three months in the spring when I don't have to pay at all!)

Amy I don't know if you can do this where you are but we get estimated billings every second month. I didn't like it so called our gas company. Now when the estimated billing comes, I read our metre and phone the actual reading in. They in turn send me a new bill.

Is there a possibility you can call in your metre readings monthly?

It sure made a difference for us.

It was funny here at our house. The bill said "actual read", but our meter is in our garage and the door is always locked and not once had I ever seen the meter reader. I called and inquired how it could possibly be an actual read because he'd have to ask to have access to the garage. They tried to tell me he was indeed here every month and even told me when to expect him next. I camped out and waited and NO ONE came.

Anyway, we're able to fill out a card and submit it, but it has to be submitted before a certain date. The month that I was about to start this who do I see??? Yes, the mystery meter reader. He is able to read the meter without being right next to it with a little device. I feel tons better about it now. lol

Ok, I've rambled on. Sorry about your bill. That would definitely set me right off. Have you considered the plan where your bill would be the same all year? Does your utility company offer that? Here they base it off your previous yrs average.

Like homesteadmamma, our last house we had gas and they would only do an actual reading every other month. On the estimated months they were way off base every time. I called each time, complained, and gave them my own reading and they would send a new bill.

My local electric company offers the ability to submit meter reads online and they give you a 3 day period every month when this can be done.

I make sure I submit my reads on the dates allowed so that every month my bill shows my actual usage and also helps me better track and maintain my usage.

Dont know if other utilities offer a service like this but might be worth looking into.

Here they do it for the electicity and for natural gas as well. I think they actually come every other month but on the estimated month, it's always high. Just another creative way they have of using our money interest free. :mad:

Amy, we have the same issue here, but I do look forward to those few months in the spring with no bill.

I would be really upset about that. I am glad they don't do that with any of our utility bills.

They do something similar here. It sure is frustrating, isn't it? My dh swears it's no big deal but paelthom had it absolutely right - they just want our money interest free.