Electric bill is out of whack - what to do? (1 Viewer)

[elguapo07]

My brothers apartment. 1 of 4 apts in multi family dwelling 

200yr old multi family home,  1000 sq ft for his apt 

Gas stove but electric heat with 3 floor heaters

4 ACs running in the summer Fridge Wash & Dryer in apt 

Monthly bill is $ 300-$350 this month it is $475

4 units and the apt across the hall is comparable is their bill is < $100 per month

4 electric boxes plus a house box which is for hall and flood lights

This has been going on for 5 yrs now. A few years ago they contacted consumer affairs who contacted Natl Grid.

Natl Grid checked the box and said it was fine

There has to be a solution to this. Suggestions welcome 

 

[Galileo]

My brothers apartment.

200yr old multi family home 1000 sq ft

Gas stove but electric heat with 3 floor heaters

4 ACs running in the summer Fridge Wash & Dryer in apt 

Monthly bill is $ 300-$350 this month it is $475

4 units and the apt across the hall is comparable is their bill is < $100 per month

4 electric boxes plus a house box which is for hall and flood lights

This has been going on for 5 yrs now. A few years ago they contacted consumer affairs who contacted Natl Grid.

Natl Grid checked the box and said it was fine

There has to be a solution to this. Suggestions welcome 

Use less electrical power.

 

[gianmarco]

That's an outrageous bill. That warrants having the electric company come out and investigate. Or hire an electrician to check out the entire house. Will save money in the long run no matter what that costs.

 

[[scooter]]

I'm confused.

Is your brother in an apartment or in a home?

Are the 4 ACs in your brother's apartment or spread out throughout the house?

Are the 4 ACs currently in use or not? (You said they were used in summer, but it's not summer yet)

 

[Dezbelief]

That's an outrageous bill. That warrants having the electric company come out and investigate. Or hire an electrician to check out the entire house. Will save money in the long run no matter what that costs.

This, the electrician. Sounds like your brother is probably paying for someone else's electricity. 

 

[[scooter]]

My first suggestion would be to get a few Kill-A-Watt trackers.

 

[Dezbelief]

I'm confused.

Is your brother in an apartment or in a home?

Are the 4 ACs in your brother's apartment or spread out throughout the house?

Are the 4 ACs currently in use or not? (You said they were used in summer, but it's not summer yet)

200 year old house split into 4 apartments. Probably near the Southern part of East Coast.

 

[elguapo07]

That's an outrageous bill. That warrants having the electric company come out and investigate. Or hire an electrician to check out the entire house. Will save money in the long run no matter what that costs.

Natl Grid checked it out and said box was fine. I think there is a possibility of some stuff from other apts wired to his box.  I agree that an electrician needs to check it out but who has to pay his bill? The tenant or the landlord?

 

[[scooter]]

Can your brother shut off his power for a month? Get a portable generator and use that for a month and see what happens.

 

[The Z Machine]

Does the bill escalate rates with usage? The the first x kWh cost y, but more than x usage costs y+z?

 

[Ron Swanson]

Or just shut it off for a day or two and go on vacation. See if any neighbors holler about part of their electric being out.

 

[Dezbelief]

Natl Grid checked it out and said box was fine. I think there is a possibility of some stuff from other apts wired to his box.  I agree that an electrician needs to check it out but who has to pay his bill? The tenant or the landlord?

Your brother will probably pay the electrician to come out. If it turns out the wiring is wrong that's on the owners.

 

[[scooter]]

That's an outrageous bill. That warrants having the electric company come out and investigate. Or hire an electrician to check out the entire house. Will save money in the long run no matter what that costs.

Natl Grid checked it out and said box was fine. I think there is a possibility of some stuff from other apts wired to his box.  I agree that an electrician needs to check it out but who has to pay his bill? The tenant or the landlord?

The ideal solution is for your brother to hire the electrician, then document the fraudulent wiring, then sue the landlord for back rent.

If you sit around waiting for the landlord to pay, then A) the landlord will never do anything about it (why should he? He has no incentive), and B) even if the landlord fixes the wiring, your brother probably won't be told about it or compensated for it.

 

[elguapo07]

This, the electrician. Sounds like your brother is probably paying for someone else's electricity. 

House from late 1700s in Boston area. 4 units 

 

[elguapo07]

I'm confused.

Is your brother in an apartment or in a home?

Are the 4 ACs in your brother's apartment or spread out throughout the house?

Are the 4 ACs currently in use or not? (You said they were used in summer, but it's not summer yet)

All in his apt and only used in Summer. Apt in Boston area.  Currently not in use 

 

[[scooter]]

All in his apt and only used in Summer. Apt in Boston area.  Currently not in use 

Your brother has been potentially screwed out of $200 a month for 5 years. He needs to contact an electrician and a lawyer.

 

[elguapo07]

Your brother has been potentially screwed out of $200 a month for 5 years. He needs to contact an electrician and a lawyer.

I think you may be correct. 

 

[Mario Kart]

Unplug everything, except for fridge, for a month and see what the bill is. Electric company might have some explaining to do. If I ever had a bill over $200, I'd wonder.

 

[Cowboysfan8]

Or just shut it off for a day or two and go on vacation. See if any neighbors holler about part of their electric being out.

Yep 

 

[Ignoramus]

Can your brother shut off his power for a month? Get a portable generator and use that for a month and see what happens.

wat?

 

[D-Day]

Can your brother shut off his power for a month? Get a portable generator and use that for a month and see what happens.

And keep the generator inside with the windows closed so that you do not disturb the neighbors.   Should have some kind of resolution with a few days.

 

[Osaurus]

What’s the grow light cycle he’s using?

 

[[scooter]]

Can your brother shut off his power for a month? Get a portable generator and use that for a month and see what happens.

wat?

I've done it before. A battery-powered fridge, a Coleman stove, and a couple of portable power stations. Shower at the gym. Do laundry at the laundromat. Watch TV on my iPad. It's not an ideal way to live but it's not exactly the life of a savage.

 

[elguapo07]

Based on your description of the usage, the monthly bill should be between $50 to $100, higher when all 4 ACs are on.

You would think.  Perhaps it's time to hire an electrician.

 

[Cowboysfan8]

You would think.  Perhaps it's time to hire an electrician.

The electrician is probably going to need access to all the apartments to track down where all the circuits are going

 

[eoMMan]

Is it really that bad though? How much is he paying in the spring? Summer time? Maybe it's been a few cold months? Bad insulation or leaky windows?

I think the first step would be to talk to the landlord and possibly find out what the other tenants are paying.  I think the talk of hiring a lawyer at this point is kind of ridiculous. I know floor heaters can use quite a bit of electricity....along with the usual suspects (washer, dryer, fridge, etc).

 

[Leroy Hoard]

 Sounds like your brother is probably paying for someone else's electricity. 

Sorry , I needed more wattage for my marijuana plants.

 

[Galileo]

Based on your description of the usage, the monthly bill should be between $50 to $100, higher when all 4 ACs are on.  Also, check if he is using an energy star refrigerator, but even no that would add at most ~$30 to his monthly bill.

Don't forget the electric heaters too.  Those probably draw much more than the ACs, and I suspect a 200 year old structure is not very well insulated.  I had a one bedroom apartment back in the early '90s with electric heat.  My electric bills were through the roof; easily a couple hundred a month.  I did not last long in that apartment.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Don't forget the electric heaters too.  Those probably draw much more than the ACs, and I suspect a 200 year old structure is not very well insulated. 

It's possible he's running the heaters and the a/c units at the same time.

 

[jrt103]

5 years or 60 months multiply times 200 overage and I think someone owes your brother roughly 12,000 dollars

 

[Cjw_55106]

Is it really that bad though? How much is he paying in the spring? Summer time? Maybe it's been a few cold months? Bad insulation or leaky windows?

I think the first step would be to talk to the landlord and possibly find out what the other tenants are paying.  I think the talk of hiring a lawyer at this point is kind of ridiculous. I know floor heaters can use quite a bit of electricity....along with the usual suspects (washer, dryer, fridge, etc).

4 units and the apt across the hall is comparable is their bill is < $100 per month

 

[WDIK2]

4 electric boxes plus a house box which is for hall and flood lights

If he has access to the fuse/breaker box for his apartment have him shut off the main for a bit.   See if one of the other units complains.  Might be able to see it his meter is still running also.   Are the house hall and flood lights running off of his meter?

 

[elguapo07]

If he has access to the fuse/breaker box for his apartment have him shut off the main for a bit.   See if one of the other units complains.  Might be able to see it his meter is still running also.   Are the house hall and flood lights running off of his meter?

His meter is next to the house meter. He suspects something is running off his box, it has to be.

Landlord lives across the hall and is a widower in her 80s that is clearly not all there. Family has owned the house for generations and barely maintains it. Two units below have gas heat i believe while his unit and The one across the hall has electric heat.   The rent is cheap but electric bill is out of control. 

Some solid insight here. 

 

[ChiefD]

His meter is next to the house meter. He suspects something is running off his box, it has to be.

Landlord lives across the hall and is a widower in her 80s that is clearly not all there. Family has owned the house for generations and barely maintains it. Two units below have gas heat i believe while his unit and The one across the hall has electric heat.   The rent is cheap but electric bill is out of control. 

Some solid insight here. 

Electric heat draws WAY WAY more than gas heat. Imagine a large toaster being on for months and months. The electric heat is basically large toaster type coils. I wouldn’t be shocked if his electric bill in the winter is that high.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

Electric heat draws WAY WAY more than gas heat. Imagine a large toaster being on for months and months. The electric heat is basically large toaster type coils. I wouldn’t be shocked if his electric bill in the winter is that high.

absolutely - also anyone that ever had electric heat can tell that it isn't as "warm".  I guess because it doesn't carry the moisture ...something.  

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Isn't outrageous whatsover for electric heat with floor heater with a home that old (likely poor insulated) in the NE.

Start with the floor heater. 

 

[JB Breakfast Club]

Start hiding electricity 

 

[Arizona Ron]

If the building is that old, are the appliances also very old?  You'd be surprised how changing out old appliances with newer energy efficient ones can make a difference. 

 

[top dog]

I would have moved after the first $300 electric bill.  That is crazy.  

 

[wilked]

If he has access to the fuse/breaker box for his apartment have him shut off the main for a bit.   See if one of the other units complains.  Might be able to see it his meter is still running also.   Are the house hall and flood lights running off of his meter?

first good piece of advice in here

I would do this first, should take all of 5 mins and it's effective.  If the meter turns while the main is off, you got a problem.  If he does the above and gets no complaints, here are the next steps.

1. You go visit your brother in law, bring 6-12 beers with you.

2. Go one by one, breaker by breaker, and map out each electric use in the apartment to a breaker.  Should take both of you less than a 6 pack, but you might need 8-10 if you haven't done it before.  Map every outlet, light, appliance, and of course the electric heat.  Don't forget about the hot water heater if electric.  Don't forget about exterior or common lights.  

3. Once this is done, set up a table and start taking daily readings of his meter.  Every day (say before he goes to work or when he gets home) just jot the number down on the meter.  He needs to be more proactive than waiting for the elec company to send him a bill at the end of the month.

4. Finally, start experimenting.  Turn off various breakers, one at a time, for a day or two.  See if you can do all of them over a period of a week or two (should only be < 10 I would guess for an apartment).  For instance, you can turn off the fridge breaker by running an extension cord and running it to a different outlet, etc.  The one for your bedroom light is a pain but you use a flashlight for that day. 

If he does the above he should know exactly what is going on within a week or two tops.  

 

[wilked]

And don't hire an electrician.  They have some more advanced equipment like circuit testers, and can review the wiring, but you (he) can do this yourselves with some basic troubleshooting.  Only after you find something wrong, then you hire the electrician

 

[El Floppo]

first good piece of advice in here

I would this first, should take all of 5 mins and it's effective.  If the meter turns while the main is off, you got a problem.  If he does the above and gets no complaints, here are the next steps.

1. You go visit your brother in law, bring 6-12 beers with you.

2. Go one by one, breaker by breaker, and map out each electric use in the apartment to a breaker.  Should take both of you less than a 6 pack, but you might need 8-10 if you haven't done it before.  Map every light, appliance, and of course the electric heat.

3. Once this is done, set up a table and start taking daily readings of his meter.  Every day (say before he goes to work or when he gets home) just jot the number down on the meter.  He needs to be more proactive than waiting for the elec company to send him a bill at the end of the month.

4. Finally, start experimenting.  Turn off various breakers, one at a time, for a day or two.  See if you can do all of them over a period of a week or two (should only be < 10 I would guess for an apartment).  For instance, you can turn off the fridge breaker by running an extension cord and running it to a different outlet, etc.  The one for your bedroom light is a pain but you use a flashlight for that day. 

If he does the above he should know exactly what is going on within a week or two tops.  

This is all solid advice, but good chance the fridge is on a dedicated outlet and would overload and  throw the breaker on anything else if plugged into it.

 

[nightmare]

The culprit is the electric heat. He might have some other big wattage stuff(cable box) that
looks fine, but it's the heat. 

 

[JaxBill]

The culprit is the electric heat. He might have some other big wattage stuff(cable box) that
looks fine, but it's the heat. 

But don't the other apartments with the much cheaper bills also have electric heat?

 

[WDIK2]

The culprit is the electric heat. He might have some other big wattage stuff(cable box) that
looks fine, but it's the heat. 

But don't the other apartments with the much cheaper bills also have electric heat?

I believe it was mentioned the apartment across the hall with the <$100 bill has electric heat, but the others have gas.  Could make a big difference if the OP's brother likes it 70 in the winter and the neighbor gets by at 63 and what side of the house they are on (wind).

 

[ChiefD]

I believe it was mentioned the apartment across the hall with the <$100 bill has electric heat, but the others have gas.  Could make a big difference if the OP's brother likes it 70 in the winter and the neighbor gets by at 63 and what side of the house they are on (wind).

It also depends on if there are heat pumps on those units. If the neighbor is using the heat pump and then the electric strip heat is the back up heat, his bill would be a lot less.

The brother needs to check his thermostat to see if it is set to Emergency Heat. If that's the case he is running strip heat only and not the heat pumps. 

 

[wilked]

This is all solid advice, but good chance the fridge is on a dedicated outlet and would overload and  throw the breaker on anything else if plugged into it.

Fridges only pull 3-5 amps...should be ok on a 15 amp breaker for a day if he keeps an eye on it.  But point taken...  there is a risk in there that it trips the circuit if it's already near the max.  Just move it to a circuit that is not heavily loaded

 

[WDIK2]

It also depends on if there are heat pumps on those units. If the neighbor is using the heat pump and then the electric strip heat is the back up heat, his bill would be a lot less.

The brother needs to check his thermostat to see if it is set to Emergency Heat. If that's the case he is running strip heat only and not the heat pumps. 

Window AC units and electric baseboard heaters.  Would it be likely they have heat pumps?  I'm asking because I don't know.   

 

[ChiefD]

Window AC units and electric baseboard heaters.  Would it be likely they have heat pumps?  I'm asking because I don't know.   

Ah, I guess I missed the part about window units. My bad.

Scratch all of my advice then.    Thought he had an air handler and traditional AC or heat pump.

 

[shadyridr]

Just because the ACs haven't been on doesn't mean I'd rule them out. He could have a balanced billing plan with heavy usage in the summer but the bill balanced throughout the year.