| Author |
Message |
    
newone
Citizen
Username: Newone
Post Number: 348
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 7:30 am: | 
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OK, just moved about 2 months ago - all electric and my JCP&L bills are through the roof! I'm hardly home during the day, I turn my heat off when I'm out and at night. Hardly use lights. Sometimes my computer is on all day and I have a fish tank with the filter running. Any advice on other company options? Thanks. |
HOMMELL
Citizen
Username: Hommell
Post Number: 59
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 7:56 am: |
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How about your refrigerator? Do you have an electric clothes dryer, range, or microwave? Any cable boxes, televisions, or TiVo's plugged in? Any precarious extension cords running to your neighbor's house  |
newone
Citizen
Username: Newone
Post Number: 349
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 8:05 am: |
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Well, refrigerator, TV (not on all the time), no washer or dryer. Electric stove that is used maybe 3 times a week if that. The bill just seems unusually high for what I think is not much use of electric. My previous apartment (true I also had PSEG), I was paying only about $20-$30/month. My bill now is close to $160. Will be calling JCPL later to come out and check the meter and my thermostats. |
HOMMELL
Citizen
Username: Hommell
Post Number: 60
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 10:10 am: |
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Certain things (such as televisions) suck up (technical term) electricity even when they are not on. But $20 to $160 is dramatic. The price of electric (as well as all other energy) has gone up significantly over the past year, but this seems extreme. You may want to check the thermostats. Also, make sure they are doing an ACTUAL meter reading and not estimating based on previous use. |
Blew
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1380
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 10:32 am: |
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Turning OFF your heat is bad because it takes TONS of extra energy to get the house back up to the right heat. Just turn it down during the day and normal when your home and down (but less down) at night when you sleep.
Your apartment was smaller than your current home. You probably didn't pay for heat in your apt. since it was supplied by the landlord. You probably have more electical appliances now than you did before the move and yes energy has REALLY increased in the last year or so. $160 is less than what we pay for our inefficiently insulated house. |
wnb
Citizen
Username: Wnb
Post Number: 349
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 11:09 am: |
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If you are only paying $160 for all electricity AND heat combined, consider yourself fortunate. I don't know how big your house is but for an average size house here in M/SO you are getting a bargain. Last PSE&G bill I had was $400... gas heat plus electric.
BTW WTF is JCP&L? Sign me up!
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13095
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 11:53 am: |
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Buy a wattmeter to see how much each appliance consumes, and make some decisions from that knowledge. I'm currently measuring with my new meter. It displays watts and also kilowatt hours. The latter is how much power an appliance uses over time.
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HOMMELL
Citizen
Username: Hommell
Post Number: 61
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 12:06 pm: |
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Jersey Central Power & Light |
newone
Citizen
Username: Newone
Post Number: 351
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 3:13 pm: |
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Thanks for everyones help...actually, I'm renting a condo (1 BR) so it is smaller than a house. Again, maybe it's just sticker shock, but I'll call JCP&L anyway to check. |
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