Anybody got ideas on this?

Forums: Electricity, Electric, Energy Use
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For over 10 years, my electric utility bill has averaged between $60-$100 per month.
Even in the coldest months and hottest months.
I have added no new electric appliances and there are no additional people living in my house.
Suddenly, the bill shot up to almost $300. Even when the kids repeatedly leave the TV or bathroom light on, the bill NEVER runs that high.
I contacted the utility company and they conducted a "review" of my account.
Of course, nothing!
I can write the Public Utilities Commission, but they are so backed up that they don't usually follow up on these cases.
Any ideas?

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Type: Question • Score: 5 • Views: 1,496 • Replies: 8

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@nqyringmind,

My first question is how old are your appliances? That won't account for all of it but it might hit some of it.

Leaving too much junk plugged in all the time (e. g. for phone charging and the like)? Again, it won't account for anywhere near all of it, but it may be a part of it (and it wouldn't hurt to conserve in that area, anyway).

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@nqyringmind,

Start checking around the house for some really defective appliances? Water heater? Fridge? Air conditioner? Etc...?

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Thanks. I don't really use the air conditioner. The first month the bill spiked was in January. We had a couple of cold days when the kids used space heaters, but over the years that's always been the case. Additionally, the next month I don't remember the heaters being used, and the bill was still around $250. My latest bill is back down to $66. I have changed nothing. The big energy suckers with regard to electricity, are the TV and the fridge...both are less than three years old....grrrr

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@nqyringmind,

Weird.

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@nqyringmind,

Believe it or not electricity can "leak" to earth. Turn off all appliances and watch the meter. If it is still counting you have got a leak through defective wiring.

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@nqyringmind,

The first thing you need to do is compare actual usage (KWH) to previous usage to determine if this is just a billing ($$$) variance, or if it's an actual usage variance.

If it's billing, then call the company and find out why they are charging you that much more for the same usage.

If it's usage, then you need to do what Fresco said and start watching the meter from a zero-appliance/usage condition (to see what your base usage is), and then start adding appliances one by one and checking the meter to see where it's spiking.

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@nqyringmind,

If the water heater is electric, a hot water leak will jump the bill up, and you might never notice since it doesn't appear to be running.

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@nqyringmind,

could you ask some one from the electric company to come in and do and audit/check your electricity. We had something happen like that, but it was our water bill. We called too - and they sent some one over and he found that the toliet had a leak - you wouldn't notice it because it doesn't leak onto the floor, but the water keeps running slightly.

Some where it seems - something is causing your electricity to drain.

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Anybody got ideas on this?

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