My power bill: Insane

[red92s]

A couple weeks after moving into a new apartment, I posted a thread about how inadequate the installed heating was. This unit is newly built in an existing structure, has electric heat, and I am the first tennant.

My first power bill (november) was about $120. I wasn't pleased, but figured it was tolerable.

My second bill (december) was $250 (!). The real kicker is that I was gone for 14 of the 33 days in that billing cycle. I don't leave lights on, I don't have anything other than an LCD TV that draws power when off, and all the appliances are new energy star certified units . . . so the major offender HAS to be the electric heat. I'd estimate I would have been in the $400+ range had I been in town the entire billing cycle. I work 7-5 and don't run the heat during the day, or overnight (electric blanket).

This is just outrageous to me for a single bedroom apartment that rents for $850. I can't really justify spending that on power every month (just to keep the place in the low 60's . . . the system CAN'T get it any warmer, it's actually in violation of MA health code as is because it can't get above 64).

I'm HOPING the landlord can find a way to improve the efficiency of the system, because I'm worried I'll have similar problems keeping cool in the summer. Otherwise, I'm out oh here . . .thank god for a month-to-month lease.

[waijai]

Wow that's really insane. The landlord really needs to pinpoint where the leaks are or else this will be an issue w/ anyone living there.

[MonkeyMama]

That's a bummer! A deal breaker.

We used to pay more in an apartment (not that much!) than in our large house, but the apartment was pretty old.

I am surprised a new structure would that be energy inefficient. Yeesh.

[trueknight]

I feel ya, though my situation has been worse dollar-wise!!! Three years ago we moved into a rental house in an older neighborhood; the house was built in the 1920s, very spacy and cozy. Well, the summer bills weren't bad but then I noticed when we had to use the heat in the winter my bills were going through the roof. The first one was around 400, then the next month 580, then the next month 780!!! I went to the property company and complained - even showed them my bill and they gave me some breaks on paying rent and had an electrician come take a look at the house.

To make a long story short, the unit was actually brand new (really about 12 months old). When I first checked out the place I figured it would be in a closet but it is in our attic and is humongous. It hangs by chains from the beams for support because of how big it is. The electrician and Star Energy both said it's about the right size for my house. I've got appx 1850 square feet. With that said, I had another friend check it out and he said there is no heat pump and if we had one it would seriously cut down on the heating bills. We are total electric, so you might not have a heat pump where you live. I've been told they are pricy and my landlord dropped the property company and I only deal with him - he lives down the road from us and he is very flexible when the winter comes. He just doesn't want to plunk down a few thousand bucks to have the heat pump installed.

We will be moving next year so I have one more winter left, but I feel sorry for the new folks who either rent or buy the house. He offered to owner finance the thing to me, but I dunno...........I've never had such high electric heat costs in my life and I don't 'want that to continue. Just my two cents there.

[red92s]

It's not a new structure per say, it was part of an existing structure that was finished out to add a second rental unit (there is one other rental unit and a retail storefront). My unit has three exterior walls, a crawlspace below, only an attic above, and about 7 windows. Total square footage is about 600 sq feet for the living area (it's a studio, one big 30'x15' space plus a kitchen).

I have already put the plastic shrink wrap on the windows. I'm really starting to think there is minimal insulation above, below and in the walls, even though the landlord claims it was all done to code for New England. I think the installed system might be adequate, but the place just leaks heat like a sieve.

I'm a single working professional and if I can't justify the units cost, I'm sure it will be tough to find someone that can who is looking for a studio. If the efficiency can't be increased, the rent needs to be decreased.

[trueknight]

If I were in your shoes - single with no wife and kids and alot of stuff to move - I'd just bite the bullet and get out.

I don't know if it's true or not, but I've heard you can contact the power company when you find a new place and ask to see the energy usage for the past year. That way you could have an idea of what your energy costs might be. If this is true I know I'm going to be doing that before we sign on the lease next time.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Its not just the square feet; It's the cubic feet. Looks like you have high ceilings, so all your heat is going up there. Heck, when I just raise my arm over my head I realize how much warmer it is only as high as I can reach. I have 9 foot ceilings.

Also your apartment is nearly totally surrounded by cold air: The crawl space, three walls, and now you are thinking maybe even the ceiling? Your heat is being sucked out in all directions.

What does your landlord say about the heat? Have you directly asked him? I think I would also ask if there is anything in the rest of the building that is wired into your meter.

But really, I'd move. I say this as I sit here with thermal underwear and seat pants, two shirts, a sweater, knee socks, fleecy house shoes, a blanket wrapped around the middle and a blanket draped over my head and shoulders, with a cup of quickly cooling coffee at my side. But this is my choice. I can make it as toasty warm as I want in my 1910, zero insulation, brick house with a 1970's gas furnace. I'm not sure how much toasty warm would cost, but I never let it get colder than 58, usually more like 62 and my bills are about $130 for 990 sq feet, heated all day, every day.

[SacredFaerie]

I would have someone from the city come look at it if it's breaking the codes by not being able to get above 64. Also I know my electric company has a budget program where you have your electric bill be a set amount every week.

[red92s]

Originally Posted by Joan.of.the.Arch

What does your landlord say about the heat? Have you directly asked him? I think I would also ask if there is anything in the rest of the building that is wired into your meter.

But really, I'd move. I say this as I sit here with thermal underwear and seat pants, two shirts, a sweater, knee socks, fleecy house shoes, a blanket wrapped around the middle and a blanket draped over my head and shoulders, with a cup of quickly cooling coffee at my side. But this is my choice. I can make it as toasty warm as I want in my 1910, zero insulation, brick house with a 1970's gas furnace. I'm not sure how much toasty warm would cost, but I never let it get colder than 58, usually more like 62 and my bills are about $130 for 990 sq feet, heated all day, every day.

I voiced my concerns to him last week, when I returned home from Christmas vacation to icicles in my tub. He wondered why I didn't leave the heat on, and I informed him there was no thermostat control (it's on, or it's off), and I wasn't about to run it 24/7 while out of town because I knew it would be expensive. He agreed that wasn't acceptable and was going to have his contractor out to look into things and the insulation as well. When my huge power bill showed up earlier this week, I left another voice mail letting him know I was getting tired of being the guinea pig for place and would be looking into other housing options if there wasn't dramatic improvement before the end of the month.

I'm looking at a place this weekend that rents for $200 less a month, and has very low heating costs due to being on a third floor, and bordered by two other units. Not as great of a location, but I figure it's about $300-350 less per month when all is said and done.

The hassle of moving is a big detractor, as I was just settling in here and don't have many friends in the area to help out, but $350 per month extra in my pocket goes a long way towards my new car fund.

[Russell]

I would definitely ask the electric company to come and inspect the usage and meters as well as provide you with the previous 1 year worth of records for the apartement.

Buy one of those Kill-A-Watt devices ($20 on Amazon) that you plug inline to your appliance and it'll tell you what the actual Wattage is over a period of time. Use that to calculate your Watts/hour or kilo-watts-hour and compare it to what's listed on the bill.

[red92s]

Originally Posted by Russell

I would definitely ask the electric company to come and inspect the usage and meters as well as provide you with the previous 1 year worth of records for the apartement.

Buy one of those Kill-A-Watt devices ($20 on Amazon) that you plug inline to your appliance and it'll tell you what the actual Wattage is over a period of time. Use that to calculate your Watts/hour or kilo-watts-hour and compare it to what's listed on the bill.

I can't pull history . . . the meter had about 40 kwh on it when I moved in, as it was a recent build.

The only "appliance" I have plugged in is my 37" LCD tv and DVR. Occasionally a laptop on a 60w power supply, but that is pretty much it.

[Russell]

No fridge, washer/dryer, dish-washer, microwave, toaster-oven etc? If not that's outrageous you should dispute the bill, no question.

Edit: I wonder if you're paying someone else's bill...

[red92s]

Originally Posted by Russell

No fridge (YES), washer/dryer (NO), dish-washer (NO), microwave (YES), toaster-oven etc (NO)? If not that's outrageous you should dispute the bill, no question.

Edit: I wonder if you're paying someone else's bill...

As stated above, the kitchen appliances are all new Energy Star units. My fridge is pretty much empty, so it's not getting left open all the time. I never use the range or over more than about 20 or 30 minutes total per week. I don't have hair dryers, humidifiers, fish tanks, desktop PC's, neon bar signs, or a vacuum. There isn't a power strip in the place. My TV and a set of LED desk lights are the only things I have plugged into an outlet.

[waijai]

Can you elaborate on the plastic wrap on windows?

[red92s]

Originally Posted by waijai

Can you elaborate on the plastic wrap on windows?

Imagine how much heat is lost through the small cracks and crevices in the patio door. During the cold winter months it is a good idea to insulate the door to cut down on your heating bill and eliminate drafts. Stops cold drafts and helps prevent frosty windows. Easy-to-install - requires only scissors and a hair dryer for installation. Safe application to aluminum, painted or varnished wood, or vinyl clad window moulding. Film wrinkles are removed with hair dryer. Double stick tape included.

Amazon.com: 3M 2141W Indoor 5-Window Insulator Kit: Home Improvement

[Investing First Steps]

Electric bills often mystify me. I was out of town for over a month, so I turned off my AC (I've since been told this is a bad idea, but it was an interesting experiment). My electric bill for that month was THE SAME as other months. I was not there to run lights and had the AC off. I think they just make those numbers up!

[red92s]

So I just went out to check my meter (out the back door I've only used a handful of times). On the way back in, I noticed an extension cord plugged into an outlet right outside the door. Followed it by pulling it out of 8" of snow, and found it running into a 3-way splitter powering . . . all the christmas lights on the storefront and an adjacent 30 foot tree.



(there are more on the facade of the building)

Called the landlord, he said a company installed them and were told to use the outlets on the front of the building.

In any case, I'd estimate it's about 15 strands of minibulbs . . . so about 350 watts worth, 24 hours a day. Would be about $50 for the 33 days. Certainly dosn't make things "cheap" but at least the sudden spike is more understandable.

The landlord has offered a $200 discount on rent next month, and will be upgrading the heat system as well.

[Russell]

Aha!! I knew something fishy was going on. Glad you were able to track it down. I was hoping it wasn't an under the table 'tip' to an electrician to mix up a couple of circuits.

[SacredFaerie]

If he "told" the company to use the front outlet he should have checked on that. Jeebus your landlord sounds like an idiot.

[red92s]

Originally Posted by SacredFaerie

If he "told" the company to use the front outlet he should have checked on that. Jeebus your landlord sounds like an idiot.

The guy owns several multi-unit properties in the surrounding towns, and several retail stores as well. He hired a company to put lights on all the retail stores, including the one to which my unit is attached to. I wouldn't really expect him to go and check with outlet is being used. The outlet near my door is the highest off the ground, so I can see why someone who didnt know they were wired independantly would choose it . . . the others are at or below the snow line.