i'm in the 76014 area code and i just got my electric bill for the apt (just moved in here)...the damn bill is 160!!

we're conservative on the power use...we dont leave the heater on much....dont leave the lights on....the only thing on is the computer at all times....

the apt is a one bedroom...715sq feet....


the elect company is reliant....




is this kind of bill normal????

 

turn everything off in your apartment, unplug the fridge and make sure nothing is drawing electricity. go check your electric meter, it should not move at all. if it does then you have a wire crossed somewhere with another apartment. i don't know if thats a normal bill for your size apartment though, thats just something i would do if i was unsure. how much amperage does your computer draw? is it ON all the time or does it go into standby mode? maybe you are paying some other charges, like a connection fee?

 

alright, i'll do that.

as far as the computer--it never goes on standby because the power usage isn't significant at all.


i was thinking and i just realized that everthing the apt is electric (waterheater and stove), so maybe that makes a big difference.

 

Call the management company and have them send someone to look at it - won't cost you anything. I've moved into apts before and the previous residents set the hot water heater to 180 degrees, etc. Also check to make sure the AC/Heat indoor (and outdoor condensor unit) fan motor isn't running slowly when the tstat isn't calling for it. The electric company should be able to give you the average useage for the apt over the last year too, I can get mine online at their website. Just some ideas...

 

Mine was ~150-175 in a 2/2 with 3 computers on 24x7 a 60, 55, 30, and 10 gallon fish tanks (heaters/filter on 24x7, lights on 10 hours) and a/c set to ~72f.. I'm in a 2/2 duplex now with a/c set on 70f, 1 20 gallon fish tank, and a computer on 24x7 and it's ~$90/mo.

 

I used to know a guy ,he was paying for all of outside lights on about 10 other apts>Snake

 

Are you upstairs or down? Upstairs apt. usually cost more electricity to run.

 

upstairs.

why do they cost more?

 

I would imagine it probably has to do with the upstairs apt acting like additional insulation against the elements. I think the more walls you share with other apts, the lower your heating/cooling costs will be.

 

Not only that but upstairs apartments get all the heat in summer.

 

Reliant=RIP OFF...you need to go with TXU energy. My house is 3200 sq. ft. and my electric bill was $74 last month and my gas was $33. I had reliant for 2 months and it was outragous. Even in the middle of summer, I keep my house at 72 degrees, my bill was never over $170. I know heat rises, but man, that's some major heat going up stairs. Unless you live on top of a volcano or glacier, I would say you're getting ripped off. Even when I lived in my apartment, my bill was never over $100, in the Summer!! Give TXU a try, plus they are usually giving free monies away, when my dad switched in December, he got $75 off his first month...plus it is free to switch.

 

well, i had a long talk with reliant and told them to come here and test the meter.
also, i've been told that although companies deny doing it, they ESTIMATE usage based on previous years...bastards!!!


i'll be damned if i'm gonna pay a $166 bill for a damn 710sq ft apartment!!!! they'll have to pry the money out of my cold dead hands.


if all else fails, i'm gonna switch to txu (as was suggested).

 

I used to have a very small apartment in San Marcos (~700SF). Even during the summer, my electric bill was only around $20/month. Of course I was only there for about eight hours each night and maybe 20 hours on weekends. When I was there I kept it cold though (nights only).

Right now in a ~1,500SF house with electric heat, our bills peak at about $140 in the winter. Check your bill, what are you paying per kW/hr? Also, look for useage numbers, are they actually reading the meter? You can go read it yourself too.

I do know some people (my parents for one) who Reliant just flat lied to about their kW/Hr rate. The rep said $.07, the bills came and said $.10.