What's With My Electric Bill?

[Gempress]

I think I'm going to cry. Seriously.

We called the electric company just to be sure the meter reading was right. The lady on the phone was very sympathetic and helpful (thank God). My hubby goes outside and reads the numbers: they're right. But that's not the worst of it. According to the meter, we've used another 500 kilowatt hours since the reading was taken on March 30--3 days ago. We normally use about 1,100 kh for an entire month. *sob*

Out of desperation, we've turned off the breakers to every major energy drainer in the house: the washer, dryer, stove, hot water heater, a/c and heater. Cold showers tonight.

According to our "flick the breakers and watch the meter" test, we the problem is the a/c or heater unit. So we have a repair person coming in tomorrow to check our system.

I don't know what to do or how we're going to pay for all this. Not only are we facing a monster electricity bill, but we have to pay for appliance repair. And if we're wrong and it's not the a/c, then we have to pay for an electrician to come in a check all the wiring in the house.

Sorry for all the self-pity, but I'm just feeling particularly low tonight. This feels like a big kick in the gut.

 

[Saje]

Aww Gempress I really feel for you. We went through something similar at the last place we were renting. We did NOT have a sympathetic landlord. I hope you get it figured out soon.

 

[lucille]

I think I'm going to cry. Seriously.

We called the electric company just to be sure the meter reading was right. The lady on the phone was very sympathetic and helpful (thank God). My hubby goes outside and reads the numbers: they're right. But that's not the worst of it. According to the meter, we've used another 500 kilowatt hours since the reading was taken on March 30--3 days ago. We normally use about 1,100 kh for an entire month. *sob*

Out of desperation, we've turned off the breakers to every major energy drainer in the house: the washer, dryer, stove, hot water heater, a/c and heater. Cold showers tonight.

According to our "flick the breakers and watch the meter" test, we the problem is the a/c or heater unit. So we have a repair person coming in tomorrow to check our system.

I don't know what to do or how we're going to pay for all this. Not only are we facing a monster electricity bill, but we have to pay for appliance repair. And if we're wrong and it's not the a/c, then we have to pay for an electrician to come in a check all the wiring in the house.

Sorry for all the self-pity, but I'm just feeling particularly low tonight. This feels like a big kick in the gut.

I'm sorry you have to go through all this.
Do you think the elect company could spread out that bill over a couple months?

 

[blue]

And if we're wrong and it's not the a/c, then we have to pay for an electrician to come in a check all the wiring in the house.

Sorry for all the self-pity, but I'm just feeling particularly low tonight. This feels like a big kick in the gut.

Unless your house is over 20 years old the electritian shouldnt have to check all the wiring just aluminum, specifically the main feed wires. The solid copper wire does corrode but it is more likely the stranded aluminum wiring

 

[lucille]

BTW don't rule out the water heater: most will pull electricity but stop at a certain temp so the shut down test would not necessarily show the elect use if it was not pulling elect at the time.
I would do the AC check as planned but if that is not the problem, I would shut down the water heater for a day and then look at your meter, if you are using massive amounts of elect and it stops, you have found the culprit. Do that before you spend on an electrician.
Let us know how it goes, we are thinking of you.

 

[Barb04]

I truly hope you find the culprit. Did the repair person find anything?

 

[Gempress]

All right, the electricians just left. The lower element in the water heater is bad. It's drawing 26 amps of electricity just by itself. We're going to replace both elements tonight just to be on the safe side (the hard water here corrodes them quickly). It wasn't too bad: only $45 for the inspection. That's a big relief for me. And fortunately, elements are also inexpensive. At least I only have to worry about the insane electric bill now.

 

[Gempress]

Drat and drat again.

The water here is extremely hard. Hard enough to chew. We tried to drain the water heater to replace the element, and the thing was completely clogged with sediment. We ended up having to buy a new water heater. So there went another $200. *bangs head on wall*

 

[MyDogsLoveMe]

Oh Gem I am sorry hun just was reading the posts. I would talk to the utility comp and see if they can maybe put you on a equal payment plan or some other type. Hopefully you can get it taken care of. The growing op sounds better huh...