my electricty bill!

[sahm2boys]

omg!!

my last reading was 1525 at 150.00 bucks
the month before it was 125.00 bucks
now its 352.00!!!

i have been keeping lights off, the heat stays about 68 typically...we are only using the downstairs no vents are upstairs the door is shut to the upstairs...

im so frustrated, i asked to have the meter re read and she stated that this was an actual reading and no need. and that it was lower then last year...and i explain that it should be lower considering there is a whole portion of the house we arent using. i keep the thermostat low or off...

i find it odd..that the month i discontinue use on the the budget plan (where you pay a set amount which actually had a previous balance from the summer BUT i had a plan on paying that off and the current...but now the monthly bill has tripled...

hopefully things will work out, they always do its just frustrating to work hard on keeping a bill low only to triple on you

thanks for letting me vent

[WV_mom_of2]

Does this amount include any left over from where you were on the budget plan?

[sahm2boys]

Does this amount include any left over from where you were on the budget plan?

total its 668.00!

[NikoSan999]

Ouch!!! I would be in shock too. Maybe something is running that you don't know of.

[sahm2boys]

Ouch!!! I would be in shock too. Maybe something is running that you don't know of.

i wish i could think of what it could be

hot water is gas
washer and dryer electric used once or twice a day same as always
dishes..hand washed ...gas
showers every other day but thats the gas
lights
1 fan
2 tvs..one is on ALL DAY
appliances..stove, washer dryer, microwave
computer printer..all day
but nothing has changed they said it was because this month the temp averaged to 35 degrees and last month 45 degrees..i knew a a increase would be there but no this much

[mommynurse]

Our's was 265.00- the highest EVER. We're in Richmond also and DH thinks it's related to the unusually low temps we had around Christmas.

[cmr3399]

I feel your pain......I too have had problems with ENORMOUS bills...and i couldn't understant why. especially when I was not home alot more than usual....then I found out that my spare fridge in my garage was going bad...it was running and running 24/7 so it was using up twice if not tripple the amount t normally draws...I was so upset.....and i work for our electric company go figure.....
so you may just want to keep an eye on your appliances...also...have you gotten a new TV? The new Flat screens draw an amazing amount as well...they might be High Def...but trust me you pay the price.....hope it works out for you!!

[sahm2boys]

I feel your pain......I too have had problems with ENORMOUS bills...and i couldn't understant why. especially when I was not home alot more than usual....then I found out that my spare fridge in my garage was going bad...it was running and running 24/7 so it was using up twice if not tripple the amount t normally draws...I was so upset.....and i work for our electric company go figure.....
so you may just want to keep an eye on your appliances...also...have you gotten a new TV? The new Flat screens draw an amazing amount as well...they might be High Def...but trust me you pay the price.....hope it works out for you!!

we DID get a new tv like that

[sahm2boys]

Our's was 265.00- the highest EVER. We're in Richmond also and DH thinks it's related to the unusually low temps we had around Christmas.

hi neighbor

[NikoSan999]

It all adds up. A little here, a little there. Was it the one on all day? Do you have city water or a well? If you have a well there's the well pump that could be running more than normal.

[Josephhgoins]

There was a pretty large rate increase in VA last month. Mom's was a little under $500 and they heat with wood.

I seem to remember them doing this a few years ago and it got revoked or something.

Good luck, I think its there to stay this time.

[scooby8themall]

Ours usually runs between $65 -$80 in the winter and $45-$65 in the summer, but last months was $100.00 only thing I can think of was the Christmas tree lights extra baking and the furnace ran more then usual due to lower then normal temps. Our light company is reducing it's rates in April they sent every a letter in last months bill that will be help.

[Grainlady]

We have a larger than usual electric bill as well ($142.04). We had company for a week, so there was a LOT more electricity used at our house, cooking/baking, TV's, lights on in more rooms, on top of extra from using the furnace during extremely cold weather when we normally DON'T use the furnace. Our natural gas was triple what it normally is ($103.28) even in the winter. We've had record-breaking cold and high winds for 6-weeks.

I gave up the free-standing freezer 3 years ago and that made a HUGE difference in our energy use. The cost of the electricity was more than the bargains I stuffed in the freezer. It wasn't worth the price of the convenience.

If you wonder how much power appliances are using, you can purchase a Kill-A-Watt meter to track how much energy things use. We were pleased when our refrigerator turn out to be very energy efficient, coming in at 7-cents per day (after we checked it for 507 hours). Our Sun Cloud Infrared Heater, which we use instead of our whole house furnace cost 2-cents per hour (after checking it 543 hours).

I can suggest adding bubble wrap to your windows as an inexpensive way to keep the cold out. http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects...bubblewrap.htm

We see a lot of difference in our comfort level by adding the bubble wrap. Check for large sheets of it free from furniture stores.

[Nana2two]

Well ours was $412 includes electric and gas. We have gotten use to the high bills during the winter months..

[sahm2boys]

It all adds up. A little here, a little there. Was it the one on all day? Do you have city water or a well? If you have a well there's the well pump that could be running more than normal.

yep the new one is the one on all day

nope county water no well