People in Palm Springs might pay $500.00 for a month's worth of electricity in the summer.
Electricity Price Gouging - WOW!!!
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JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: Astro14
But this can't be!
We've built more renewable power, you've been importing from HydroQuebec, we've gotten rid of horrible polluters, like coal, and shut down those nasty nukes...
Interesting.
Pop_Rivit's a prime example where Iowa invested heavily in wind and he is paying like 10c/kWh because of the low-cost sources. And he is still seeing savings with LED lights.
Every single telephone pole around me has a solar panel, as the utility is trying to hit their renewables level. Were still paying the 15.x c/kWh that Ive been paying for a long while now (including distribution and the actual energy).
But this can't be!
We've built more renewable power, you've been importing from HydroQuebec, we've gotten rid of horrible polluters, like coal, and shut down those nasty nukes...
Interesting.
Pop_Rivit's a prime example where Iowa invested heavily in wind and he is paying like 10c/kWh because of the low-cost sources. And he is still seeing savings with LED lights.
Every single telephone pole around me has a solar panel, as the utility is trying to hit their renewables level. Were still paying the 15.x c/kWh that Ive been paying for a long while now (including distribution and the actual energy).
I pulled up my bills for the last two months. Turns out my January Bill had a $50 credit that I missed.
Apparently I had been overcharged $50 in December (this is the month for which National Grid got fined and ordered to pay back).
My bill for January would have been nearly $200. My overall electric rates did not change between January and February ... but they charged me "normal". Still, significantly more than last year.
In the summer it's a bit easier to calculate usage of all of my items, but I plugged a kill-a-watt device into everything I can think of. With the water heater out of the equation, I looked up average for what a shower costs with my electric rates along with how much wattage my stove uses. I was within $2 or $3 - so it does not seem that anyone is leeching off of me.
Apparently I had been overcharged $50 in December (this is the month for which National Grid got fined and ordered to pay back).
My bill for January would have been nearly $200. My overall electric rates did not change between January and February ... but they charged me "normal". Still, significantly more than last year.
In the summer it's a bit easier to calculate usage of all of my items, but I plugged a kill-a-watt device into everything I can think of. With the water heater out of the equation, I looked up average for what a shower costs with my electric rates along with how much wattage my stove uses. I was within $2 or $3 - so it does not seem that anyone is leeching off of me.
I guess deregulation in 2003 has really helped keep our rates down in Texas. I generally do twelve month contracts and the one I just did was for 8.9¢/kWh. If you just go with your default provider here you'd end up paying 11-12¢/kWh.
It takes more effort to track and calculate your average demand, but to save $200-300 a year on electricity it's worth it.
It takes more effort to track and calculate your average demand, but to save $200-300 a year on electricity it's worth it.
Looking at my electricity we used the last 12 months the lowest usage was 240-280 kWh and the highest was 350-380 kWh. My 4 bedrooms 2.5 baths house is 2800 sq ft; water heater, furnace, cook top and cloth dryer use natural gas; Others use electric. My monthly Electric bill varies from around $25 to $35, not too bad for the high cost of living in Southern California. Gas bill was about $16-20/mo in summer and jump to $40-50/mo in winter.
Southern California Edison:
"Your residential plan features a tiered rate structure. On this rate plan, the more electricity you use, the higher the cost per kilowatt hour. Each billing period, your usage starts in the lowest-cost tier. This tier provides enough kilowatts of electricity to meet basic needs such as lights, heat and refrigeration.
Tier1 - 9c, Tier2 - 11c, Tier3&4 - 20c
Each billing period, after the kilowatt hours in Tier 1 are used, your usage jumps into Tier 2, where the price per kilowatt hour is higher, and then to Tier 3, and so on. There are 4 tiers.
The best way to keep your cost lower is to limit your usage to the electricity available to you in the lower tiers.
Last month(Feb-2014) bill:
Your Delivery charges include:
• $3.08 transmission charges
• $12.60 distribution charges
• $0.11 nuclear decommissioning charges
• -$16.32 conservation incentive adjustment
• $0.22 public purpose programs charge
• $1.58 new system generation charge
Your Generation charges include:
• -$0.37 competition transition charge
Your overall energy charges include:
• $0.23 franchise fees
Additional information:
• Service voltage: 240 volts
• Your winter baseline allowance: 284.0 kWh
• Your usage: 278 kWh."
Southern California Edison:
"Your residential plan features a tiered rate structure. On this rate plan, the more electricity you use, the higher the cost per kilowatt hour. Each billing period, your usage starts in the lowest-cost tier. This tier provides enough kilowatts of electricity to meet basic needs such as lights, heat and refrigeration.
Tier1 - 9c, Tier2 - 11c, Tier3&4 - 20c
Each billing period, after the kilowatt hours in Tier 1 are used, your usage jumps into Tier 2, where the price per kilowatt hour is higher, and then to Tier 3, and so on. There are 4 tiers.
The best way to keep your cost lower is to limit your usage to the electricity available to you in the lower tiers.
Last month(Feb-2014) bill:
Your Delivery charges include:
• $3.08 transmission charges
• $12.60 distribution charges
• $0.11 nuclear decommissioning charges
• -$16.32 conservation incentive adjustment
• $0.22 public purpose programs charge
• $1.58 new system generation charge
Your Generation charges include:
• -$0.37 competition transition charge
Your overall energy charges include:
• $0.23 franchise fees
Additional information:
• Service voltage: 240 volts
• Your winter baseline allowance: 284.0 kWh
• Your usage: 278 kWh."
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I pay about 10 cents a KWH. I would love some competition. Open the grid up. I would also love some competition in healthcare.
Originally Posted By: Miller88
So, got my Electric bill for the Month of February.
In January of 2014, I had a $130 electric bill. Highest I have ever had! National Greed did get in trouble for price gouging by the PSC (apparently they didn't pay off the right person at PSC).
I paid the electric bill and decided to start taking it a bit more serious. In January of 2014, My electric rate (total, delivery + rate + fees) was approaching $.25 / kwh. Usually, "total" is about $.16 / kwh.
When I am home, I heat the room I am in to 60 and the room I am not in to 55. When I go to work, both rooms get set to 50.
So, I decided that I would work on cutting my power usage. For the month of February, the heat in my living room was OFF and the bedroom was heated to 50 - lowest setting on my thermostat. I also started taking cold showers every other day. Since my neighbors aside and below me are college students, their parents are paying the electric bill and their apartments are like ovens. My floors and neighboring walls are always very warm.
On a side note, taking cold showers in February is a GREAT way to wake up in the morning.
I got my bill for February of 2014. I was happy to see that I reduced my usage by more than 1/3! I was only 200 KWH over what I use in the summer, when my electric bill is $40.
Well ... I was in for a surprise. $148!!!!!! Used more than 1/3 less electricity, yet the bill was significantly higher.
I am, quite literally, paying nearly 4X as much for power now as I was up to November 2013.
It's insane, really. This month, I have turned all heat off to the apartment. There is no risk of freezing pipes as my neighbors do a good job of keeping them warm! I will be contacting the PSC and filing a complaint.
Miller88
I think I see your problem... You live in the wrong state. Here in Charlotte, NC, (the highest COL city in the state), (a right to work state, not controlled by unions), my utilities for Jan. 2014, for my 1800 sq. ft. 3 bdrm ranch with 3 adults, are this:
Water service for 6 Ccf was $27.29. Included in that was $12.26 for something called a "storm water fee" which means that I'm being taxed for the rain that falls on my property, even when it doesn't rain.
My electric was $75.25 for 617 KWH. (I have gas heat and water heater).
My gas bill was $162.96 for 140 Ccf.
*1 Ccf=748 gal.
The economic situation in South Carolina is even better at this point. You should take a look....
Look, I don't know your employment situation, or anything else about you, buy maybe it would be useful to consider some alternatives.
Good luck, whatever yo do,
Wayne
So, got my Electric bill for the Month of February.
In January of 2014, I had a $130 electric bill. Highest I have ever had! National Greed did get in trouble for price gouging by the PSC (apparently they didn't pay off the right person at PSC).
I paid the electric bill and decided to start taking it a bit more serious. In January of 2014, My electric rate (total, delivery + rate + fees) was approaching $.25 / kwh. Usually, "total" is about $.16 / kwh.
When I am home, I heat the room I am in to 60 and the room I am not in to 55. When I go to work, both rooms get set to 50.
So, I decided that I would work on cutting my power usage. For the month of February, the heat in my living room was OFF and the bedroom was heated to 50 - lowest setting on my thermostat. I also started taking cold showers every other day. Since my neighbors aside and below me are college students, their parents are paying the electric bill and their apartments are like ovens. My floors and neighboring walls are always very warm.
On a side note, taking cold showers in February is a GREAT way to wake up in the morning.
I got my bill for February of 2014. I was happy to see that I reduced my usage by more than 1/3! I was only 200 KWH over what I use in the summer, when my electric bill is $40.
Well ... I was in for a surprise. $148!!!!!! Used more than 1/3 less electricity, yet the bill was significantly higher.
I am, quite literally, paying nearly 4X as much for power now as I was up to November 2013.
It's insane, really. This month, I have turned all heat off to the apartment. There is no risk of freezing pipes as my neighbors do a good job of keeping them warm! I will be contacting the PSC and filing a complaint.
Miller88
I think I see your problem... You live in the wrong state. Here in Charlotte, NC, (the highest COL city in the state), (a right to work state, not controlled by unions), my utilities for Jan. 2014, for my 1800 sq. ft. 3 bdrm ranch with 3 adults, are this:
Water service for 6 Ccf was $27.29. Included in that was $12.26 for something called a "storm water fee" which means that I'm being taxed for the rain that falls on my property, even when it doesn't rain.
My electric was $75.25 for 617 KWH. (I have gas heat and water heater).
My gas bill was $162.96 for 140 Ccf.
*1 Ccf=748 gal.
The economic situation in South Carolina is even better at this point. You should take a look....
Look, I don't know your employment situation, or anything else about you, buy maybe it would be useful to consider some alternatives.
Good luck, whatever yo do,
Wayne
Originally Posted By: PSS
We pay about $0.10 AN KWhr and people complain about that.
http://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.cfm?t=epmt_5_6_a
Shows rates by state.
Nice table. Average US $0.12. Lowest Oklahoma $0.08. Highest Hawaii $0.37
We pay about $0.10 AN KWhr and people complain about that.
http://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.cfm?t=epmt_5_6_a
Shows rates by state.
Nice table. Average US $0.12. Lowest Oklahoma $0.08. Highest Hawaii $0.37
Yes, I do live in the wrong state. For many reasons.
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: friendly_jacek
Originally Posted By: PSS
We pay about $0.10 AN KWhr and people complain about that.
http://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.cfm?t=epmt_5_6_a
Shows rates by state.
Nice table. Average US $0.12. Lowest Oklahoma $0.08. Highest Hawaii $0.37
My inlaws pay around 56c/kWh in the Caribbean (US territory). Their solar ROI has been VERY rapid.
Since the power is generated with GTGs, its the equivalent in many ways to peaker plants used on our grid, I guess. Still, at some point the SFCs will get to a bad point and then smaller generators or storage will need to be added.
Originally Posted By: PSS
We pay about $0.10 AN KWhr and people complain about that.
http://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.cfm?t=epmt_5_6_a
Shows rates by state.
Nice table. Average US $0.12. Lowest Oklahoma $0.08. Highest Hawaii $0.37
My inlaws pay around 56c/kWh in the Caribbean (US territory). Their solar ROI has been VERY rapid.
Since the power is generated with GTGs, its the equivalent in many ways to peaker plants used on our grid, I guess. Still, at some point the SFCs will get to a bad point and then smaller generators or storage will need to be added.
Keep in mind, if you generate your own electricity using a modern, efficient turbo diesel generator, and you use the cheapest fuel you can find, the fuel costs alone will reach 60c/KWH.
I run my house "off grid" using my Listeroid generator from time to time (mostly on occasional weekends) . Even with "free" Jet-A fuel from the airport, my cost per KWH exceeds Florida Power and Light's average per KWH. (purchase and maintenance costs per hour do add up)
I run my house "off grid" using my Listeroid generator from time to time (mostly on occasional weekends) . Even with "free" Jet-A fuel from the airport, my cost per KWH exceeds Florida Power and Light's average per KWH. (purchase and maintenance costs per hour do add up)
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I agree with some others that mentioned that his neighbors are pulling power from his meter or lines. Get the power company to come out and check for this. They usually are very helpful if there is the potential of fraudulent use or theft of power.
I live in TN; MTEMC is our electric company. I paid 100 even last month for electricity for 3360 sq foot house (5 br, 4 full baths); I'm charged 8.449 per kwh per below. My gas heating bill was 218 buck last month.
The rates MTEMC members pay for residential service rank among the lowest in the nation...in fact, MTEMC's residential rate is about 15 percent below the national average.
MTEMC charges 8.449 cents per kilowatt-hour for each kilowatt-hour consumed. A basic monthly customer charge of $13.75 and a TVA Fuel Cost Adjustment (which is updated monthly) is also factored into a residential bill. The March TVA Fuel Cost Adjustment is .871 cents per kilowatt-hour.
Approximately 83 cents of every dollar MTEMC receives through member bill payments goes to TVA to purchase power, meaning the cooperative operates on 17 cents out of every dollar.
The rates MTEMC members pay for residential service rank among the lowest in the nation...in fact, MTEMC's residential rate is about 15 percent below the national average.
MTEMC charges 8.449 cents per kilowatt-hour for each kilowatt-hour consumed. A basic monthly customer charge of $13.75 and a TVA Fuel Cost Adjustment (which is updated monthly) is also factored into a residential bill. The March TVA Fuel Cost Adjustment is .871 cents per kilowatt-hour.
Approximately 83 cents of every dollar MTEMC receives through member bill payments goes to TVA to purchase power, meaning the cooperative operates on 17 cents out of every dollar.
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Ours was WAAAAY over that, but since propane was so high we went to space heaters. We didn't use any propane all the February. If we didn't do that, our propane bill would have easily been $800ish assuming we still had to pay the $4+ per gallon. With all that in mind, we actually came out ahead even with the cost of the space heaters.
*plus the propane truck wasn't able to make it up our driveway.
*plus the propane truck wasn't able to make it up our driveway.
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So, I didn't see EXACTLY how many kWh you consumed, and what the "energy" (per kWh) was. That is important.
I use about 9 kWh per day....but I'm in California....and it's 80 degrees every single day, since Dec. 1. I pay about 9 cents per kWh...but that's the lowest tariff (rate) based on the 9 kWh per day.
Here's a little secret that most don't know- All this solar pv and wind energy that is being installed, is by a HUGE amount being paid for by your local utility (by law). So, they are paying for millions of people to stop buying their product. Trust me....they are ONLY doing this because they have been promised that they can raise their rates by HUGE amounts in the future. The regulators are happy to allow this, because they feel like the higher electricity rates are, the less people will buy. The power companies are happy because they know that's utter [censored]. People will continue to buy power. Also, the power companies will keep raising "meter charges". They know you can't stop having a meter. At the end of the day...YOU LOSE!
But really, what's your bill? What's your "energy charge"? And what's your kWh consumption?
I use about 9 kWh per day....but I'm in California....and it's 80 degrees every single day, since Dec. 1. I pay about 9 cents per kWh...but that's the lowest tariff (rate) based on the 9 kWh per day.
Here's a little secret that most don't know- All this solar pv and wind energy that is being installed, is by a HUGE amount being paid for by your local utility (by law). So, they are paying for millions of people to stop buying their product. Trust me....they are ONLY doing this because they have been promised that they can raise their rates by HUGE amounts in the future. The regulators are happy to allow this, because they feel like the higher electricity rates are, the less people will buy. The power companies are happy because they know that's utter [censored]. People will continue to buy power. Also, the power companies will keep raising "meter charges". They know you can't stop having a meter. At the end of the day...YOU LOSE!
But really, what's your bill? What's your "energy charge"? And what's your kWh consumption?
I seem to spike usage in winter and summer. Winter probably because I use space heaters sporadically; summer is because of a/c usage. Spring/fall appears to be around 9kWhr/day, rising to 11-12 in winter months--and spiking to nearly 25 during summer. Ouch.
16c/kWhr, so typ bill is $60-70, and over $100 for summer months. Looks like other charges pad the effect cost to around 20c/kWhr.
16c/kWhr, so typ bill is $60-70, and over $100 for summer months. Looks like other charges pad the effect cost to around 20c/kWhr.
16c per kWh is pretty high for residential, especially if you're only using 10 kWh per day. That's really bad. Also, I've never seen different tariffs structures by season. By time of day, yes. Season? geez, that sucks. Sounds more like a commercial plan. I'd contact the power company and see if there are other tariff schedules that you can switch to.
The "average" American household consumes about 25 kWh per day. 15kWh per day is good. Under 10 is considered very good/low. Paying that much for 10 kWh a day is robbery.
Like I say, the government has forced the power companies to pay people HUGE amounts of money to install solar (which is a mathematical joke by the way)....thus they are paying money to cut their own sales. They WILL recoup this money by jacking up rates and "meter fees" (rate for just being connected to the grid).
The "average" American household consumes about 25 kWh per day. 15kWh per day is good. Under 10 is considered very good/low. Paying that much for 10 kWh a day is robbery.
Like I say, the government has forced the power companies to pay people HUGE amounts of money to install solar (which is a mathematical joke by the way)....thus they are paying money to cut their own sales. They WILL recoup this money by jacking up rates and "meter fees" (rate for just being connected to the grid).
I live in a rural area, so transmission line costs IIRC were about half of the 16c/kWhr cost. [Had the wife comb through, so the numbers are not in front of me.] Quick average shows 13kWhr/day.
Dunno, I kinda don't think about it, everything else I pay for costs more. I do pine for the days when it was $20 (back when I lived in the city and was a bachelor, those days are long gone). But when I hear about what it spikes up to in summer, I generally get a bit peeved about the a/c usage... But that I don't have control over.
I don't follow your comment about seasonal tarriffs.
Dunno, I kinda don't think about it, everything else I pay for costs more. I do pine for the days when it was $20 (back when I lived in the city and was a bachelor, those days are long gone). But when I hear about what it spikes up to in summer, I generally get a bit peeved about the a/c usage... But that I don't have control over.
I don't follow your comment about seasonal tarriffs.
Originally Posted By: lomez
So, I didn't see EXACTLY how many kWh you consumed, and what the "energy" (per kWh) was. That is important.
I use about 9 kWh per day....but I'm in California....and it's 80 degrees every single day, since Dec. 1. I pay about 9 cents per kWh...but that's the lowest tariff (rate) based on the 9 kWh per day.
Here's a little secret that most don't know- All this solar pv and wind energy that is being installed, is by a HUGE amount being paid for by your local utility (by law). So, they are paying for millions of people to stop buying their product. Trust me....they are ONLY doing this because they have been promised that they can raise their rates by HUGE amounts in the future. The regulators are happy to allow this, because they feel like the higher electricity rates are, the less people will buy. The power companies are happy because they know that's utter [censored]. People will continue to buy power. Also, the power companies will keep raising "meter charges". They know you can't stop having a meter. At the end of the day...YOU LOSE!
But really, what's your bill? What's your "energy charge"? And what's your kWh consumption?
This is such a load of nonsense. The power companies don't pay anyone anything to install solar. IF someone wants solar panels on their house, THEY hire a contractor (not the power company) to install them, and the homeowner pays for the entire installation. (or they lease the system from the contracting company, but that's between the contractor and the homeowner, not the power company). The power company by law has to allow the customer to install a system and connect it to the grid, as long as it meets their specifications, but that's about it. I worked in the distributed generation department for about a year at my power company. I can assure you not only did we NOT pay for a single solar installation, but we CHARGED the customers/contractors several hundred dollars in application fees and connection fees.
So, I didn't see EXACTLY how many kWh you consumed, and what the "energy" (per kWh) was. That is important.
I use about 9 kWh per day....but I'm in California....and it's 80 degrees every single day, since Dec. 1. I pay about 9 cents per kWh...but that's the lowest tariff (rate) based on the 9 kWh per day.
Here's a little secret that most don't know- All this solar pv and wind energy that is being installed, is by a HUGE amount being paid for by your local utility (by law). So, they are paying for millions of people to stop buying their product. Trust me....they are ONLY doing this because they have been promised that they can raise their rates by HUGE amounts in the future. The regulators are happy to allow this, because they feel like the higher electricity rates are, the less people will buy. The power companies are happy because they know that's utter [censored]. People will continue to buy power. Also, the power companies will keep raising "meter charges". They know you can't stop having a meter. At the end of the day...YOU LOSE!
But really, what's your bill? What's your "energy charge"? And what's your kWh consumption?
This is such a load of nonsense. The power companies don't pay anyone anything to install solar. IF someone wants solar panels on their house, THEY hire a contractor (not the power company) to install them, and the homeowner pays for the entire installation. (or they lease the system from the contracting company, but that's between the contractor and the homeowner, not the power company). The power company by law has to allow the customer to install a system and connect it to the grid, as long as it meets their specifications, but that's about it. I worked in the distributed generation department for about a year at my power company. I can assure you not only did we NOT pay for a single solar installation, but we CHARGED the customers/contractors several hundred dollars in application fees and connection fees.
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