Reasons for high electric bill?

[Shelly F - Ohio]

exactly the suggestion I was going to make. My dad bought one of these recently - he seems to love it.

You would be amazed at what stuff draws the most electric and soon you will start unplugging them.

 

[CTdiznymom]

I can remember a time when our bill went up with no explanation. Turned out to be our meter. We have peak/off peak usage, and the clock wasn't set properly. Due to storms that knocked out our power, the clock was off by hours, and I was being charged for using more power during what I thought was off peak times. Simple fix made all the difference.

 

[3boymthr]

Do you have a garage or shed? are they heated? how are they heated? My dad has a garage and because it is heated the electric bill for the garage is $150+/mo.

And on another more bizarre note - any new neighbors or do the neighbors have a new garage or shed since 2010?

 

[fiveofus-la]

Our electric bill is out of control. We are on the rolling average plan and right now its up $290/month but a couple months this winter I know the actual bill was over $300 and one month it was around $400.

Wanna trade?
I called the electric company and demanded that someone come check my meter to make sure it's functioning correctly! Last summer my bill was $515, and it's been $300+ every month after! We have a 2200 sq ft house, 2 tvs that are plugged in and 1 computer stays on, then the basic other appliances, all of which are 5 yrs or less old. Last year my parents gave me and my husband $600 worth of new insulation for our bdays because they knew I was ready to hit the road at that time! Bill was $250 in January, after the new insulation...compared to January 2012's $185....go figure!

Still ready to hit the road!

 

[coachb]

Consider washing clothes in cold water. I've done this (except a white load) and it's had a big impact. I also hang clothes on a drying rack. The rack is fairly close to the furnace so clothes dry quickly. Saves electricity and adds moisture to the air.

 

[Jenny3]

Do you have a garage or shed? are they heated? how are they heated? My dad has a garage and because it is heated the electric bill for the garage is $150+/mo.

And on another more bizarre note - any new neighbors or do the neighbors have a new garage or shed since 2010?

No garage; we do have a shed but it's not heated.

I do have new neighbors (last year) and they bought a shed. They live next door but the way our lots are set, our homes are not near each other.

 

[seashoreCM]

Did you say you had an all-electric water heater? A leak in the hot water side piping or a leaking faucet will run up the electric bill noticeably.

This goes the other way energy wise but a dishwasher performs better if you run a nearby (kitchen sink) hot faucet until the water gets hot before starting the dishwasher. The heating element inside will not heat up the water inside fast enough to do the wash cycle. However you can save some electricity by stopping the dishwasher before the final dry phase is complete, opening the door, pulling out the trays halfway*, and letting the dishes dry on their own.

Home handyman hints: http://www.cockam.com/home.htm

* Pulling out both trays loaded all the way can damage the dishwasher.

 

[nhmommy]

Do you have city water or a well? If you have a well it can be very expensive to run a well pump make sure nothing is leaking by,the toilet is the most common but outdoor sillcocks and other things can leek by as well.

 

[Jenny3]

We have a gas water heater. It was just replaced last year. Public water, so no well pump. No water softener, or air purifier or anything like that.

 

[Lewisc]

Check your fridge. Check the gasket. Make sure the doors are closing tight. Get a thermometer. Check the temperature. Turn off your ice maker. Clean the coils.

Also check the filters on any room air conditioners.

 

[3boymthr]

Going back to the garage/shed - does your DH have any power tools, such as a compressor or... Many power tools suck down the electricity, especially compressors.

I don't personally know your neighbors so I'm not trying to be mean or anything, but not everyone is honest. I'd make sure all the lines going to the meter go to your house and not to somewhere else.

I'd also check your electrical box and trace all the wires. When we moved in we had wires that went no where or to stuff that we didn't even know was in the house.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I am in a single family home. The sump pump is older, but DH just replaced it this morning as it died. I wash in warm with a cold rinse.

I'll check into the energy audit, check my bills and the energy usage meter. Thank you!

This is just so frustrating! My SIL has a 3,000 sq ft house and pays less than I do in electric. I just don't get it.

If your sump pump just died, it could very well have been part of the problem.

 

[Jenny3]

Going back to the garage/shed - does your DH have any power tools, such as a compressor or... Many power tools suck down the electricity, especially compressors.

I don't personally know your neighbors so I'm not trying to be mean or anything, but not everyone is honest. I'd make sure all the lines going to the meter go to your house and not to somewhere else.

I'd also check your electrical box and trace all the wires. When we moved in we had wires that went no where or to stuff that we didn't even know was in the house.

Yes, DH has a ton of tools in the basement he uses pretty regularly as he is a woodworker. He shuts them all down and turns off the power strip when he's done though.

I talked to the borough today (who provides my electric) He suggested turning off the main breaker and checking the meter. If it's still running, then someone is tapped into our electric. If it is my new neighbors, heads will roll! They have only been here a year but we've already had issues - which is another post entirely, lol Curious how would they do that though..? My meter is on the right side of my house and they are on the left, so pretty far.

We'll do that over the weekend. I'll see if DH can trace the wires as well. Just not sure how savvy he is with that!

 

[3boymthr]

Yes, DH has a ton of tools in the basement he uses pretty regularly as he is a woodworker. He shuts them all down and turns off the power strip when he's done though.

I talked to the borough today (who provides my electric) He suggested turning off the main breaker and checking the meter. If it's still running, then someone is tapped into our electric. If it is my new neighbors, heads will roll! They have only been here a year but we've already had issues - which is another post entirely, lol Curious how would they do that though..? My meter is on the right side of my house and they are on the left, so pretty far.

We'll do that over the weekend. I'll see if DH can trace the wires as well. Just not sure how savvy he is with that!

While you are away on vacation or away at work, tap into the lines that run to your shed or pool or outside lights or... They don't have to tap into the meter directly just into a line that carries high enough voltage to run other stuff off of it. Since most outside lines are on their own circuit they'd carry enough voltage. (ETA or is it wattage, I never can remember that)

 

[mrsklamc]

You said you clean your lint trap but what about the vent to the outside?

 

[Jenny3]

You said you clean your lint trap but what about the vent to the outside?

I haven't done it, but I'll check with DH!

 

[Disney_Ohana]

My electric bill is on the rise every month not because of our usage but because the stupid utility company keeps upping their amount they charge per KW. Its so frustrating!

 

[CocaColaGuy]

We had our house re-insulated 2-1/2 years ago. It cost us $3600 up front, but has saved us 60 dollars per month since then. Insulation settles over time, so you may want to look into that!