Can a gas company bill you twice in one month?

[CheshireVal]

if you know how much you spent last year, budget for that much this year calculated with higher prices..

I've gotten married and moved into a much larger place since last year. I am not having a problem paying it, really. My OP was really just a vent more than anything. It's the principal of the matter that's bugging me. For three and a half years I've gotten a bill once a month... how dare they send me two to pay this month, ya know?

 

[thinkerbell]

I completely understand your problem. I also teach and get paid only once a month. People who get paid weekly or bi-weekly may not understand your vent. I have all of my bills come due at the same time every month and I pay them as soon as I get paid. Don't throw me a curve by sending me a bill during another part of the month. One of our bills changed the billing due date and threw me for a loop. They didn't add a payment, just put it at an earlier time in the month. I didn't like that because it is at an inconvenient time to pay it. Like you, I have the money to pay it, it just puts a little crimp in my bill paying. I guess I will just have to get over it because I called them and tried to get them to change it back and they wouldn't.
Sorry about your extra bill. That really doesn't seem fair.

 

[greenyskp]

Do you have water under your heater? If not, you're most likely ok. Is it possible that you have a faucet that drips? If it is dripping from the hot water side, your heater is constantly getting new water to heat.

You also could have a problem with sediment/sludge buildup on the bottom of you heater. This can greatly reduce your heating efficiency. How long have you had the heater and when was the last time you drained it? If it's like mine, the answer is 'forever' and 'never'.

Unfortunatly, I rent. (what a dirty four letter word!) So I alerted my landlord yesterday, and they said if there is something wrong with the heater, they will fix it, and reimburse me for a majority of the bill. And if its the gas companys error, than they will obviously adjust my bill.

Im not very assertive with strange gas-men who come to my house, so ive asked my dad to be there, so im not gonna miss work. He's burly and gruff, so he wont take crap from them. He's also gonna take a look at it before they get there, see what he can see.

I know nothing about gas. I didnt know we had gas in florida. I thought it was a 'cold state' thing. My pilot light has gone out once, and my dad (who grew up in MIchigan) had to relite it for me. So he understands gas a lot better than I do.

Thanks for the advice. I'll mention that stuff in my note, and to my landlord!

 

[greenyskp]

I completely understand your problem. I also teach and get paid only once a month. People who get paid weekly or bi-weekly may not understand your vent. I have all of my bills come due at the same time every month and I pay them as soon as I get paid. Don't throw me a curve by sending me a bill during another part of the month. One of our bills changed the billing due date and threw me for a loop. They didn't add a payment, just put it at an earlier time in the month. I didn't like that because it is at an inconvenient time to pay it. Like you, I have the money to pay it, it just puts a little crimp in my bill paying. I guess I will just have to get over it because I called them and tried to get them to change it back and they wouldn't.
Sorry about your extra bill. That really doesn't seem fair.

If you can divide up your average payment by 3, and overpay your bill by that 3rd, You can get yourself a month ahead on your bills, then you choose when you pay. I did this.. and its a lifesaver. Then, as long as you pay monthly, you'll always be a month ahead. Making late fees non-exhistant. Several of my friends are teachers, and they have all gone broke for one month, to pay double on their utility bills. It works!