Huge Electricity Bill - Plot Thickens

[tsetsaf]

Original thread here

Thank you everyone for the feedback on that thread. I have some updates and the topic changes a bit so figured I would start a new thread...

1. We have tested every electric appliance

So we spent an hour switching on and off every single electric appliance, water pump, spa, etc etc. Nothing was out of whack. The biggest drainers were the space heaters, followed by the dry cycle on the washer and then the other electric appliances.

2. Checked the meter - it was read wrong

Here we are 10 days after it was "read" and we are 65 under the reading.

3. Called the electric company

They are sending someone out to re-read the meter but we are now pushing to have the meter tested.

Questions for you and your experiences:

1. Can a power outage cause damage to a meter?
2. Could the backup generator have caused damage to said meter? (different circuit but who knows)
3. Any other feedback on trying to rectify this?

We did the math and assuming max usage of all the electrical appliances during the cycle we can only get to 2500 KWH (still crazy high but that is the math). They are billing us 3,000 KwH more!

[Need-A-Vacation]

Tvov wrote:

scarem wrote:
I'm a former Meter reader.
You read the meter from right to left. Lets say the first dial is a 5. The second dial is then 5 digits away, or forward, from the actual number. so if the second dial is half way between 6 and 7, then it's a six. The third dial is then 6 digits away from the true number. so if its real close to the 3, then its a six digits away from a 2. It's a 2
Remember that the previuos dial tells you how far away from the true number the next dial is. A previous dial of 9 makes the next dial 9 digits away from the real number..

Good thing I wasn't a meter reader... I have no idea what that all means, lol!

Possibly the easiest way to understand (in my crazy thinking! Lol) how to read an analog electric or gas meter is to think of it just like a car odometer. Both read right to left, the right dial (tenths) needs to make one complete revolution before the next dial moves one (one mile). And it continues with each additional dial to the left.

Hopefully this makes it easier to understand.

Jim Shoe wrote:
If you live in a northern climate, the electric company sometimes estimates the monthly bill because they can't get to the meter to read it. Then adjust when they can get to it. Still wise to keep track of your history. The numbers on the meter are pretty small.

While those of us in the northern states that see snow need to keep a clear and safe path to the meter(s) during the winter months, a clear and safe path should be kept to the meter(s) all year for all states. Regardless if you have a "smart meter(s)" or manually read meter, other departments besides the meter readers still need a clear and safe path.

To the OP: Hope you get things straightened out soon!!!

[ol_Bombero-JC]

midnightsadie wrote:
so now with things calmed down, take them out to dinner and have a good laugh.

Buy the meter reader some new reading glasses...:W

BTW - at my sticks and bricks - two "shocking" (pun) error events over the years:

1. Like the OP's bill - charges way out of line!
Read the meter, WAY lower reading than what they billed for!

Power company did new read - but must *NOT* have believed the revised charges/reading.
Sent out supervisor to verify if *they* were in error.
Yeah - they were.

2. Another time several years later......Huh? - bill dropped to next to nothing - although power was being used.

Checked meter - it was at a "standstill" - no matter what electrical appliance (etc.) was operating.

OK - could have ignored it, but called elect company.
Here come "the brass" (as in two) again to see if I was messing with their equipment.
(Maybe a "growing" operation, or?..:h..)

Nope! *Their* problem...:S...meter had "died" - they replaced it.
(Should have bought *MY* dinner!)

They based "catch-up" on average of past "real" bills.

Now they have "new" electronic (no pun) meters that don't require a meter-reader.

Next problem will be loss of Wi-Fi(?) signal - or hackers, LOL!...:W


~

[Old-Biscuit]

Fortunately I worked for the Electric Company when I lived in CA and therefore got a 'special' rate

Then 'deregulation' happened and it was chaos.

Glad I left CA ----should have done it sooner.


'tsetsaf'
Good luck with the battle.
Hope you get it resolved!

[toedtoes]

I guess I've been really lucky. I have never had a utility company charge me for what I haven't used - ever.

[down_home]

It isn't just the electric companies.
When mother was in the Assisted Living, we kept her home up and running. It was always there, if she could ever come back to it. Not our until she passed.
The water company came out to turn off the water. Got hold of my brother.
Said we had used 9,000 gallons enough to fill a swimming pool becuse the meter hadn't moved much or they said moved a lot.
Said we had a massive leak under the floor. Brother paid the bill.
It was totally bogus. Only water used was when I or others were out to clean the home and to make sure the pipes were clear.
I raised, a fit, with Brother, but he didn't want to cause a problem with water company.
Sum and total, of it, the water company stole over two hundred dollars, seem to remember. Should name the company but it would get deleted.
I know our bill here for 19,000 gallons one month was bogus. No way, in paradise, a family could use that much water without a pool.
Arguing was to no avail. If I get able again I will have a well put in or a pipe from spring, if it has enough pressure or not too much.
A Farmer, now deceased, had to run a faucet all the time because immense pressure from the spring would blow all the pipes, otherwise.

[Jim_Shoe]

If you live in a northern climate, the electric company sometimes estimates the monthly bill because they can't get to the meter to read it. Then adjust when they can get to it. Still wise to keep track of your history. The numbers on the meter are pretty small.

[hawkeye-08]

They enough folks trying to get away with something that they immediately go on the defense accusing the homeowner of creating the problem, instead of helping figure out what is going on... some of the office workers don't have basic math skills and are tasked with "adjusting" things... many of them have no clue and likely could not make change at a cash register without the register telling them how much change to give back, and even then likely give the wrong amount back...

Our electric company has a smartphone app to see your account status, they promoted it by saying you could pay online (which would be nice) but they charge $5 fee for online payment...

To the OP, good luck and keep documenting (time, date, who, etc on phone calls)..

[tsetsaf]

**UPDATE**

Wow this has been an eye opening experience. First off if you have an old style meter I strongly recommend setting a calendar reminder and taking a photo of the meter once per month on the same day each (ie the 15th every month).

We have been in contact with the electric company since Monday. They scheduled a re-read and testing of the meter. Sent the same guy out and he read the meter and opened the sealed hatch to "look" at the dials. His visual inspection gives it an "a okay"... good grief.

They agree they read it wrong originally and to make it up are "guessing" we used 3800 KWH during the billing cycle instead of the 5500! Oh and since they originally read it they assume we used 1700 KWH (in 15 days)!!!

Since Monday we have been taking daily pics of the meter and doing the math. We have also been focused on using as much electricity as possible (just to see what our max usage is). Our highest day was 60 our lowest was 40. Doing the math with 60 that puts us at a max of 1800 KWH for the month meaning their awe shucks we will only bill you for 3800 is still 2000 too high.

We are now diving in to a dance that will probably get long and protracted. I will update this thread in the future as more facts come to light.

In the meantime DO NOT TRUST YOUR UTILITY PROVIDER.

[down_home]

There have been some errors with these radio meters too.
I didn't bookmark the few reports on the net but heard of others also.
Anything that has a radio signal can and will go haywire from interferrence natural and man made.

[CavemanCharlie]

beemerphile1 wrote:

CavemanCharlie wrote:

...My brother on the farm has some sort of meter where the company must come out once a month read it, unlock something and push a button, then get a second reading. I don't know what that thing is....

A load meter has to be reset every month. If he has one he needs to do some research and consider getting rid of it. They are only beneficial to the power company.

Not in his case probably. A farm these days uses a heck of a lot of power. For Example, our grain dryer that lowers the moister of the grain to a level to where it can be kept in the grain bin has very large electric motor powered fans on it. Plus in the fall there are many large electric motors going to run all the augers.

It would be nice to have 3 phase power but, those lines do not run near the farm. When we told them we needed to upgrade because we were going to be using so much power they came out, changed the transformer in his yard to a different style, and added this meter at that time. They told us that he would hate it. But, there is only a few weeks a year when the power requirements are that high.

[Ski_Pro_3]

If you have a smart meter, there is a way to read your own meter wirelessly. Smart meters are read via RF radios. Every smart meter has a 2nd radio channel for the home owner to use so he can read his meter and capture the data via the internet. The radio protocol is called Zigbee. To read the 2nd Zigbee channel, you need to activate the channel. This can usually be done from your utility web page that you log into. Log into your utility web page and search for how to activate the 2nd Zigbee channel. But before you do, you need a Zigbee radio receiver. These wireless radios have an Ethernet port on them so you can connect to the internet. The radio comes with a free account from the radio provider.
I use a Zigbee radio gateway called a Rainforest EAGLE Ethernet ZigBee Gateway.
I bought it off Amazon for under $100. Once I had the EAGLE, I plugged in the power, connected the Ethernet cable to my Comcast Router, and activated the channel on my Smart Meter from the utility web page. Within a few minutes, connection was made.
I then logged onto the Rainforest website, set up a free account using the info on the bottom of the EAGLE and I was in business.
The neatest thing is that it is near-realtime. A delay of a few seconds is all you see when you turn on and off appliances and such for the meter reading. For example, I can turn on my TV and see the electric use go up by 332 watts. I know then that my TV uses 332 watts. By going around and checking electric devices, I know what everything is supposed to use. After several days of data gathering, you will know what your 'phantom' power is as well as your normal usage. (Phantom power is the power used when 'everything' is turned off. Things like cordless phones, refrigerators, etc. always are on so those are phantom loads.)

The Rainforest EAGLE can also be used as a gateway for other Zigbee protocol devices in your home. The most familiar are Smart thermostats, where you can access your thermostat using your smart phone, laptop or computer while away from home. Like the Smart Meter, your thermostat puts out a Zigbee radio signal that is gatwayed to your router and off to the internet where you can log in and control it.

Here is a screenshot of my Rainforest account. Notice my electric use is a negative number. That is because I have solar. I can log my solar that is going back to the utility company to be sure they are being square with me on my billing.

[rockhillmanor]

original post:"" We were planning on rolling on in a week anyways BUT we really want to try to find the culprit. (and yes we will be paying the $680 difference)""

Really? You are just going to pay your part of an $800 electric bill with OUT calling the electric company? WHY isn't your family calling the electric company to find out what the problem is?

They will come out for free and check the meter, they also will look into the bill, verify meter readings, etc. to see why it is so high.

I most certainly would not pay a bill that high with out calling the electric company. :R

Errors happen very often. I had one bill that was double the amount and after a few phone calls to the electric company they finally contacted the actual meter reader and he stated he could NOT read the meter correctly because the dogs where in the yard.

Well that lie didn't fly because IF my 2 Great Danes where running loose all day in an 'unfenced' yard I would have known about it by the local police.....caught in his lie he finally admitted he didn't even read the meter.

[ken56]

For all who go for a month or more away from your home it is advisable to notify your electric provider that you will be away. Upon our return from a 2 month trip a guy from our electric provider showed up in my driveway to replace my meter. I just told him that we had been gone for that time period and therefore the low usage. He did ask if I had notified the company that we would be gone and said to do so next time we are planning to be gone for more than 1 month. Makes sense to me.

[wa8yxm]

Mistakes happen (Reading the meter wrong)

Can a power outage damage a meter? not likely but when power is restored that's another story.. The old mechnical meters were very very robust, but I do not know about the new electronic ones.

Could the stnadby generator do it: If the generator is properly isolated from the mains, by a proper TRANSFER switch or system, then no, not a chance.

IF it was NOT properly isolated.. Then it's on you.