Why has the electricity bill gone completely crazy? The price has doubled.?

Answer 1

Greed. Nothing more, nothing less. I live in Texas. TXU electric rate has gone from 6 cents K/Hr 2 1/2 yrs ago to almost 17 cents K/hr. The state fined them 250K for price gauging and their response was: They were going to shut down power plants for "maintenance" which will increase rates again if the state didnt remove the fine.
For those of you in states with regulated electric, DO NOT let your state Deregulate. This is the worse things that has happened to Texas.

Answer 2

Hi Jean,
When we are not expending any more electric this year, than when we did last year, and the price has Doubled, then it is a good indication that the charge of energy has gone up. When these major energy producing corporations claim record profits, yet cry poor and unable to substantiate why they are charging more...then we have a problem (and it ain't in Denmark, either!).
My suggestion to you is to absolutely curtail to the max any electrical use you have at home. Begin first by monitoring your meter outside - learn how to read it properly and make a note on the day that the meter-reader drops by to have that number recorded. Then, go to the link I have provided for you that will show how much pull our everyday appliances have on the electrical output. Remember to keep your refrigerator's coils vacuumed and clear of dust buildup - which means pulling it away from the wall and taking the vacuum cleaner and going over the coils about 2x per year. Most folk don't realize that this helps with it's efficiency. Try having less use of carpet (which requires vacuuming), and simply linoleum, wood, ceramic, tile floor can be broomed & wet mopped. Fans in every room, even the bathroom helps to cut down on running electric to circulate or cool that room. Light bulbs, if you have a mirror that has bulbs all the way across, just unscrew every other one, or the minimum needed. Close off the vents to rooms that are seldom used. Close the blinds during the summer, and open during the winter months to help get the temperatures to a comfortable level; use the natural heat/radiation of the sun to help regulate your temperature. The washer uses electric, too, so just run full loads. Dryer, try air drying as much as possible. Those old-timey clothes lines of years ago are great use of the sun and wind to dry clothes which costs nothing. Use little toaster ovens in the place of the large one, can help a great deal in keeping heat out of the kitchen and the larger oven can use much more electric to heat up. The stove top burners can generate lots of extra heat, so try to use alternative cooking tools - like crockpots, electric skillets that use less electric. Televisions use of electric can run high, so if no one is watching, turn it off. Same with computers. Changing out the filters on a regular basis (HVAC) is good; I'd change it out more often than the filter manufacturere suggests. During summer, keep it at 80 degrees w/fans blowing, cool clothing, cool drinks will work fine. During winter, reset the fans to blow Toward the ceiling, so that the warm air is pressed back down toward the cooler floor areas; wear sweaters & sweats, drink hot drinks.
Unless Congress feels the pinch, or feels pressure from us voters, the corporations will continue to bleed us for the maximum profit to pass on to their investors. The poor always suffer; this is why so many elderly die in their homes - they can't tell they are overheating, and they can't afford the airconditioning during the very tough heat hours (and are afraid to open windows due to crime!).
So, since you and I are powerless, we best just buckle up and bite the bullet and pray that these energy costs will return to a somewhat affordable level. Until then, we are at their mercy.
Hang in there Jean - we're all in this expensive boat together, so we might as well as enjoy the ride!
071807 3:23

Answer 3

Demand for one thing. Electric bill always go up when the A/C is turned on all the time during the summer months.

Answer 4

It is the heat and increased use of fans and ac units . I expect mine to be considerably hjigher this month as I am now using my central air. Since early may I have used niether heat nor ac and have had very low bills. With the hotter weather and using the ac during the day and a fan at night-the cost will go much higher this month.

Answer 5

Do you use wall plug in air fresheners? Those use a lot of energy. Also, what is your thermostat set at? when your home leave it at 78 degrees and when you leave set it to 80 degress. You will be suprised to see the difference it makes in your bill. If you are already doing this, I suggest that you contact the electric company, and ask them to send a tech out to check your meter. Also, you might want to ask what they charge per killowatt.

Answer 6

Are you leaving appliances running and plugged in? You waste a lot of electricity/energy leaving appliances plugged. Have you been using an airunit or a certain appliance that requires a bunch of energy? Maybe you have a leak in the house causing your house to be hot...so you put the air colder.

Answer 7

It is a combination of things. The utility companies are greedy. Also, something little known, is that this influx of Hispanic illegals know how to steal electricity. I live in a small complex in Dallas and found out that there is an illegal Mexican electrician here who is doing that. The manager figured it out and called TXU. They came out and removed the front of his gage. He still has electrical, so he is tying into it in the attic. I told a Hispanic painter freind of mine, and he said..."Everybody does it in Mexico."

Answer 8

well, we had the same problem. It might just be a glitch in the billing but it could be from-

forgetting to turn off the lights.
leaving the doors and windows open when the air is on.
leaving on computer all day.
ect.you get the point.

Answer 9

You're probably running your air conditioner more now. I don't know where you are located, but in the north east, it's a lot warmer during the summer.
If that's not it, check to see if your lines are tied to any of your neighbors. The could be "borrowing" your electricity.

Answer 10

Depending on where you live the prices can actually double for the summer months. This is the case in Georgia where I live.