PCA Forums

Our electric bill in the summer is normally around $300. That includes 2 ac units (for a 2 story house) and a pool. We also keep the thermostat at 80°F for both the upstairs and downstairs. Well, with the latest increases per kilowatt hour, my electric bill for last month was $971.61!

Talking to my neighbors, their bills were also high. The guy across the street from me works for Edison, and his bill is normally between $100-$150 during the summer. Last month, his bill was $520! And according to him, the cost will go up again in October. WTF?

I guess it's time to look at solar energy. I'm also going to write to the PUC and my congressmen about these increases. These morons expect you to use your washer and dryer only once a week. Same with your dishwasher.

hey, get a grid back system and make them send you a check every month

heres the latest news / offer being given by are electriccompany -gee i wonder if it is really a workable plan for most people ?
DETROIT, Aug 07, 2006 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Detroit Edison residential customers whose electric bills average $140 a month or more could save hundreds of dollars a year with an optional "Time-of-Day" rate plan offered by the utility.

Under the "Time-of-Day" rate plan, customers pay two different prices for their electric power -- an "on-peak" rate when electricity demand is highest (11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays), and a lower "off-peak" rate for evenings, nights and weekends.

"Households whose monthly electric bills average $140 or more can potentially save about $85 annually just by switching to this plan," according to Larry Kaufman, Detroit Edison's energy efficiency expert. "If customers are able to shift some of their electric usage to evenings and weekends, they can save $100, $200, even $300 a year or more. And, using less energy not only saves money, it helps protect the environment as well."



Customers can conserve electricity during on-peak weekday periods by making a few simple changes, such as:

* Raising the temperature of air conditioning during the day

* Turning off lights, televisions and computer equipment when not in use

* Waiting to operate dishwashers and washing machines until evenings or weekends

Residential customers interested in the optional "Time-of-Day" electric rate plan can get more information at http://www.my.dteenergy.com/time , or by calling Detroit Edison at (800) 477-4747
link

HOLY ****! If my light company ever sent me a bill for $900 I'd enclose a note that told them to go f themselves and I'd go right out and buy a Propane generator. I know that propane isn't cheap, but damn, that's stupid.

On another note, what Dopey said has been ringing true in my ears for a long time. If I had the money I'd already have one. And when I build a house I plan on having a very large shop, big enough for 10-15 cars (I like cars, have 5 and a motorcycle so far lol) and the entire roof will be solar panels. And I will be creating my own electricity.

eGo

$900!!! WTF, u live in a mansion with a refrigerated server room? Geez, and I thought I was paying a lot at $240 last month (it's never been over $200 here before).

I'm curious, everyone post your electric bill for last month.

I live in a 1200 sqft 3 Bedroom 2 Bathroom Trailer. Two of the rooms are always closed and the vents are shut going to them. So essentially I'm only cooling the Living room, Dining Room/Kitchen, Guest Bath, Master Bath & Bedroom. I run my PCs (Only two now, down from the days of 5 or 6) about 75% of the whole month. I have a Deep Freezer & Fridge, Electric Hot Water (30 Gallon) which are always on. When I leave in the morning the A/C goes off (my Central unit is goofed and it's either on or off temp doesn't work). And last month my bill was $176. However, this is June's. I won't get July's for a few more days yet..

eGo

For last Month $354.59 which includes taxs, trash charge, and water (Water was about 40 bucks by itself)

I live in a 2 story house - ~3000 sq feet. It has 5 bedrooms, 3 car garage, and 2 ac units. The one that operates the upstairs is larger than the ac for the bottom. We have them set at 80°F. I have to have a talk with my 2 kids that are still living with me about lights and electricity. My wife is a school teacher, and she is home for 2½ months for the summer break.

Again, this is not only me - it's affecting everyone in this area where I live. That would be Riverside, San Bernadino, and parts of LA County.

For now, the only thing that I can do is adjust when the pool pump runs. Right now, it runs at prime time during the day. I'm planning on changing that to run 2 hours in the early morning, and 3 hours after 7pm.

If you think that mine was nuts, the guy that I carpool to work with, his neighbor has an elderly women living with them, and they ran the air 24/7, and got a electric bill of $1600!. Think how they feel.

At this point, I'm going to write to the PUC and to my congressmen and let them know how I really feel. I don't mind increases, but fvck - a 100% increase in one month?

Originally posted by DoPeY5007
hey, get a grid back system and make them send you a check every month

Talking to 3 of my neighbors, and we are going to look into this. If we have to continually pay these kinds of bills, I rather send $400 a month to a company that can install some solar panels instead of Edison.

Originally posted by Executioner
a 100% increase in one month?

300% more like it!!

Typically $150 / month... this summer has been hot and semi high rates so I have been paying $250/month.

We are unique and have a city owned power utility to compete with a private owned utility. We can switch back and forth...gotta love competition.

On a side note Duck.... You uh hrmmm wanna approve my account on Hublan?

in the forums? I show you as active... whats wrong?

I have four bedrooms, kitchen, living room, family room, 2 bathrooms, laundry room, 60 gallon fish tank, heat pump/ central air with the thermostat set at 71, 6 PCs running 24/7, outdoor landscape lighting....my electric bill has never been more than 180 bucks. I would $hit a brick if I were to receive a bill that high.

I have a 3 BR/ BA brick home, a swimming pool, 2 barns with power. I run the pool pump about 2 hrs in the morning and 3 hrs in the evening. Last month my bill was $160, just got my latest bill and it jumped to $191. I keep my thermostat ~80and it not too bad.