Great Service Experiences (GSE's) - Not!

13 years ago

We've had a very mild autumn. No need for A/C (or heat until a week ago). I was looking forward to low electric bills for the months of September and October.

The September bill seemed rather high, but not astoundingly so. The bill for October's useage just arrived. It is DOUBLE the kilowatt hours charged for the same period in 2009. (These are 'actual read' numbers, not estimated.)

I went to read the meter. It does show a tad more now than the reader reported Wednesday, so he read it correctly. However, the meter is spinning wildly, and there is nothing drawing heavy power in the house. We've added nothing big since last year either.

When I called the utility company yesterday afternoon I was told the 'wait time' was between 29 and 45 minutes. (Great Service Experience #1)

In 30 minutes my call was answered by a rep. She insisted on telling me all the numbers on the bill I was holding in my hand. (Duh!) She said my useage 'was not out of line' or their computer would have 'caught it'.

I asked to have my meter checked. Oh, there's a PROCEDURE! (GSE #2) First, the meter has to be read. Never mind that it was read Wednesday! The PROCEDURE has to start with my call to complain, and I didn't call until I got the statement the day AFTER it was read.

OK, when can they read my meter? Oh, not until the regular reading a month from now. (GSE #3) Good thing we aren't talking about a gas problem, eh?

And what happens after the meter is read? Then a work order will be 'put through' requesting a check of our meter. That could take several weeks, even months. (GSE #4)

I called our electrician. He stopped me midsentence. He's getting calls from all his customers about this. He could come to see if there's a problem in the house, but he can't touch the utility company's meter. ($90 to show up.)

Here are some readings from 2010:

July Useage 2739 kWh

Aug. Useage 895 kWh

Sept Useage 1236 kWh

Oct. Useage 2152 kWh (Oct. Useage in 2009 - 1078 kWh)

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Comments (6)

ont_gal
13 years ago
Not sure where you are in the world,but here where I am,in Central Ontario,Can., I have to pay $108.00 for debt retirement,delivery hst and regulatory charges on this so-called hydro bill, BEFORE I even turn on a light switch

my average usage dollar wise is around $40.00/month
chisue
Original Author
13 years ago
I'm just north of Chicago. Our electric utility is Commonwealth Edison. The useage and charges I am disputing total $260 for October.

Let's see... I pay the following charges:
Electricity Supply, Transmission Services, Customer Charge (They charge ME for being their customer?), Standard Metering Charge, Distribution Facilities Charge, Energy Efficiency Programs (I'm charged for their efforts to be efficient?), and Franchise Cost (Probably the slush fund for bribes to members of the board of the state agency 'monitoring' utilities.).

State Tax $7.08; Municipal Tax $11.68.

I sent an email to CUB in Chicago, asking for help.
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mariend
13 years ago
Do you have a Public Service Commission? Are you sent notices from your electric company as to rates charged etc. Here they have to list everything you have to pay, and where it goes. There are some feel that the Federal government requires you pay, others that the state/county/city require, but by law the company have to disclose to you. You also might find out what the response time is if you think the meter is broke. That is what it sounds like. Call back and talk to a supervisor or the maintenance supervisor. Be firm and tell them you understand they are busy, but you need the meter checked ASAP. I believe you are allowed to dispute the bill also, not sure. I know in CA in Los Angeles, they send someone out much sooner that that and you know how big LA is. Just remind them that the computer is only as good as the person putting in the information is. I wish you the best.
blitzyblond_protege
13 years ago
Have they recently installed a new meter? They have been installing them all round CA, they are called "Smart Meters" and they have been distorting peoples usage terribly. On man in N CA got a bill for $10,000. for his 3bdrm house! The utilities co is taking a lot of protest over these. A town north of us is suing the commission to stop them from putting them in that town until they can get them accurately functional.

Did the electrician check to see if someone is pirating electricity from the edges of your property? That's not un-heard of. Or did he check to see if you are grounding somewhere? just a thought. l.marie
woodsy_1
13 years ago
I'm not too far south of Chicago. Our highest summer bill was almost $400. I don't remember which month, because DH pays the bills. Our October bill was 1/4 of that. We have Com Ed as well. Something is definitely wrong!
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
13 years ago
I'd suggest you post over at Electrical Wiring. They will probably suggest you shutting the power off at the main, and then bringing up each circuit, one at a time, checking the meter each time. Good luck. How disheartening to have a bill like that when you were expecting a 'lot' less.

You might also mention your location too in the post.

I went to read the meter. It does show a tad more now than the reader reported Wednesday, so he read it correctly.
Does your bill also show the previous 'read' date and the amount of days your bill covers? It almost sounds like maybe they 'estimated' it somewhere along the line instead of getting the 'true' reading, but that still doesn't explain why your meter was spinning without anything drawing heavy power. I 'think' a refrigerator or freezer that is going bad, 'could' cause a lot of extra consumption though.

Sue

Here is a link that might be useful: Electrical Wiring Forum

Great Service Experiences (GSE's) - Not!

Comments (6)

ont_gal

chisue
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Comments (6)

ont_gal

chisueOriginal Author

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