electric meter trouble

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They put a new meter on our pole two months ago. Since then our usage has doubled from 300KWH to 660 KWH. I have called them and they are going to send someone out to check the house. They say it is impossiable for something to be wrong with the meter and it has to be in our house. We have lived here for 3 summers and have never gone over 350KWH in the summer months. Any ideas on what might be wrong? What should I have them look at?

-- jamie (jamie@nowhere.com), September 04, 2001

Answers

Probably the OLD meter was bad (not registering full usage) and that is why it was replaced. They do wear out or go bad occasionally; however, most last at least 20-30 years. Be carefull about how much you complain or they may back charge you.

-- Joe (CactusJoe001@AOL.com), September 04, 2001.

wow-I wish I had that low a bill!

In our area, they do change how fast the meter goes depending on if you are a bulk customer (like a dairy or hog farm)-so maybe that happesn where you are too?

Otherwise i would guess that maybe your meter can be adjusted-if it is off. But if the old one was not set right-or was for a bulk customer-maybe that is why too.

Good luck!

Sarah

-- sarah (heartsongacres@juno.com), September 04, 2001.


Our computer store here in town had the same problem. He went from 300.oo elect bill to 1,500 after a new meter. Well after giving them a hard time they came out and said it was the water part of the bill that was high. He had all his water lines dug up and replaced and still the high bill. Well he raised you know what with the city and they came back out and rehooked up the meters and his bill went righ back down. Seems the cafe next door to him, there water was on his bill. The city would not give him credit for the past bills. I told him I would tell them they better have the credit on my next bill or I would call the state weights and messure office and take them to court for the price of having all those water lines replaced. I don't think he is the kind of man to put up much of a fuss tho. He just said well whats done is done and I am just going to let it go. I Would Not let the city get away with charging me for all that WATER I didnt use. That bill was 1,200.00 a month more than it was supost to be for 3 months. I would FIGHT!! If you turn off the main switch to your house see if your meter is still running!

-- Teresa (c3ranch@socket.net), September 04, 2001.

I was just telling my husband today that I don't understand why our electric bill has doubled this summer. Have not added a thing..in fact we did away with an extra ref. and old freezer. Haven't complained to elec. co..afraid they may come out and it go higher..I have checked the reading etc. and it all figures right..who knows..We have been hot adn humid using the fans more often-longer..don't have AC..the only thing left to check is the water heater and hope it changes in cooler weather.

-- Sandi (msjazt@aol.com), September 04, 2001.

I suggest you have a temporary installation of your own meter, if it agrees with the company's meter then you have been lucky in the past! If not you have the basis for a reasonable discussion with the company.

I imagine 'checking' the house will involve measuring the current into the house with various appliances on or off.

It is a commonpractice in this country (NZ) to not actually read the meter at every billing period rather they just estimate then when the meter is finally read there will be a 'catch up' which is usually up as they are conservative in their estimates.

I don't know about modern electronic meters but traditional meters operated on a principle of eddy currents induced in a non-magnetic disk the tiny forces being geared to turn the dials. This type of instrument will almost certainly go slower as it wears and frinction increases.

-- john hill (john@cnd.co.nz), September 04, 2001.



Well the man called me back and was very nice. He told me that when they take the old meters down they always check them. He said our meter tested at 68%. So I guess we have had 3 years of pretty cheap electric bill. I asked how much of a bribe he needed to put the old meter back on and I guess the guy had no since of humor!!!! Yes, I know 300 KWH (which is about $30.00-$35.00) is pretty cheap but we live simply and try to control what we use. Everyone have a nice day and don't forget to shut off the light when you leave!!!!

-- jamie (jamie@nowhere.com), September 04, 2001.

Jamie, there is a State Office, phone number listed under the State listings, and their name is Public Utilities Commissioners. This is paid for by/with your tax money and if you feel you are right, the utility wrong, when having a serious discussion about Utility bills, call them with all your records and they will ask the utility for theirs and do an audit. I would advise anyone useing this office to have good paper back up, history, cancelled checks, credit card statements, billing stubs etc. and to tell the absolute truth when stating your cause. Many times the customer is right, the utility wrong. Good Luck. Maureen (retired I.B.E.W. Utility worker.)

-- Maureen Stevenson (maureen@mtaonline.net), September 09, 2001.

Just re-reading - Sandi (and others) - I can say from experience that if you have electrically-heated hot water, and you have a leak in your hot-water system or pipes or even a dripping hot-water tap your electricity useage will rise out of sight.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), September 11, 2001.

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