My power bill: Insane

[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]

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.

[Multima$tery]

That's' utterly ridiculous! That apartment in in Major code violation and serious need to grant you some kind of rebate on that power bill. My power bill was high too. I recently picked up one of those little small space heaters at Walmart and to my surprise it keeps my apartment just as warm as the regular heater did. Only costs about $15 bucks and saves lots of money on monthly bills

[arthurb999]

Forced hot air systems use a lot of power. I'm guessing that's what you have.

[Investing First Steps]

Well since he seems to have a rather laisse faire attitude towards who's things are who's (like power outlets), maybe you should take some wood off of some of his other properties and burn them for heat.

[red92s]

Well since he seems to have a rather laisse faire attitude towards who's things are who's (like power outlets), maybe you should take some wood off of some of his other properties and burn them for heat.

I wouldn't say it's a "laisse faire" attitude. The decorating company he hired used an outlet 20 feet away from the one they should have, which was buried in snow. There isn't much he can do beyond compensating me for the power spike (which he has done, through a $200 rent credit), and fixing the problem (which I did, by unplugging the lights).

I think expecting the landlord to double-check which outlets are being used is setting the bar pretty high. It was never an issue before because there was never an outlet there before, and I would assume he will be more explicit in his directions to decorators on the property in the future.

[SacredFaerie]

When you own that many properties you most likely need additional help to manage them. The outlet thing...ok let that slide. (Although it could be happening at other locations as well to less frugal people.) What about the fact that your building isn't up to code? Just because he overextends himself doesn't mean you let him slack.

[snafu]

While moving is a hassle, a new build that is so expensive to heat has something seriously wrong with the construction and electrical. In the summer it will be too hot and next winter you will repeat the current experience. I suggest you rent another apartment.