LG&E bills and comparisons- I need guidance

[fitches4]

I've gotten notices from LG&E the last two months saying I'm using 105% and 95%, respectively, MORE than a 100 home comparison of comparable neighbors. I find that tremendously hard to believe given the life styles of the three people living here.

My brother had a stroke 3 years ago and literally is in bed almost 22 hours each day. My mother, 85, lives downstairs in a fully finished basement with a mini split installed in April for heat. She's conservative with the lights and appliances. The house is 4271 sq ft, and outside of the master bedroom, kitchen and dining area, and the previously mentioned basement, none of the other areas of the house get used other than occasionally viewing the tv in the living room during dinner time.

Unless my neighbors are dead, I don't see how this is possible. I've asked LG&E to test my meter but is there another way to have the home expertly analyzed for power usage to find the cause of this, assuming it's true?

Any ideas are appreciated. And, as always, feel free to make fun of me.

 

[Get Buckets]

I've gotten notices from LG&E the last two months saying I'm using 105% and 95%, respectively, MORE than a 100 home comparison of comparable neighbors. I find that tremendously hard to believe given the life styles of the three people living here.

My brother had a stroke 3 years ago and literally is in bed almost 22 hours each day. My mother, 85, lives downstairs in a fully finished basement with a mini split installed in April for heat. She's conservative with the lights and appliances. The house is 4271 sq ft, and outside of the master bedroom, kitchen and dining area, and the previously mentioned basement, none of the other areas of the house get used other than occasionally viewing the tv in the living room during dinner time.

Unless my neighbors are dead, I don't see how this is possible. I've asked LG&E to test my meter but is there another way to have the home expertly analyzed for power usage to find the cause of this, assuming it's true?

Any ideas are appreciated. And, as always, feel free to make fun of me.

Don't they offer free energy audits?

 

[Get Buckets]

Also, how much does your bill average a month?

 

[fitches4]

Also, how much does your bill average a month?

I don't know about the energy audits. They didn't bring that up when I asked to have the meter tested. My average bill was $258 for the first 10 months since I moved in. The last 3 months are $375.01, $424.34 and $383.33.

 

[fitches4]

The thing I find the oddest is that it's twice what other households are. That stuns me, given there are no kids, extravagant activities, etc.

 

[mashburned]

You think mom is growing weed down there in the basement?

 

[fitches4]

I just finished Breaking Bad on netflix, oddly enough. I told the lady from LG&E, that unless my mom is running 2 meth labs downstairs, I don't think it's accurate.

 

[cricket3]

I got the same notice and my bill hasn't been over $120 in 3 years. I'm not sure who the people are around me are with $60 electric bills.

 

[fitches4]

I know. I'm using four times the energy of those at the low end of the comparison, according to them.

 

[Henogee1975]

I just finished Breaking Bad on netflix, oddly enough. I told the lady from LG&E, that unless my mom is running 2 meth labs downstairs, I don't think it's accurate.

Monopolies suck

 

[mashburned]

$300 sounds like a lot, but you have a big house sounds like, so I'd imagine it takes a lot to cool it.

But I think my little energy reports are bogus, too. I believe it's just to pressure folks into using less. They also send me that thing about installing some little gizmo that monitors and reports my usage or some crap. Idk, it sounds creepy, and I just throw that flyer away. I think they just want everybody to use less energy.

 

[fitches4]

Had that same thought. I'm very cynical at the core but you'd think they'd be a little more subtle than 105%.

I do appreciate all the ideas. Especially Mashburned reminding me I don't have a weed connection. What's the point of retirement?

 

[funKYcat75]

Mine has been budgeted at $239 for a 1980 sq ft home. It's absurd but we figured out it was the HVAC running non-stop and pretty much wrong since we had the old unit. Mark it up to lost $$ on account of me being ignorant. You could have an issue with an old inefficient heat pump, but you'd probably already know that. I actually look forward to getting my electric bill this month.

 

[Bill Derington]

It's summertime, you have a huge house that takes alot of electricity to cool. How many A/C units do you have, and how old are they?
Is your water heater electric, they take alot of power. Cook stove gas or electric?

 

[fitches4]

Just had mine serviced last month and they said no problems. I just looked at the previous owners bills for 2014 and they averaged $259.63 which matches my first 10 months almost exactly. Of course, rates go up over time too so I'm guessing I use less than they did. I think they had 6 adults living here, counting teenagers. Pretty sure I'm getting boned but not sure what I can do about it. LOL

 

[funKYcat75]

Pretty sure I'm getting boned but not sure what I can do about it. LOL

Lube up.

 

[fitches4]

It's summertime, you have a huge house that takes alot of electricity to cool. How many A/C units do you have, and how old are they?
Is your water heater electric, they take alot of power. Cook stove gas or electric?

One A/C unit, 13 years old, added a ductless mini split in April. No on the water heater and 2 stoves, both electric.

 

[UKserialkiller]

My lesbian, gay and energy bill is about $400 a month

 

[fitches4]

Lube up.

I was pretty confident I was going to get help when I started this. Now, I have no doubts that my instincts were correct.

 

[funKYcat75]

My lesbian, gay and energy bill is about $400 a month

Well, gays probably did raise their prices in Orlando after the previous summer. Supply and Demand

 

[Henogee1975]

$300 sounds like a lot, but you have a big house sounds like, so I'd imagine it takes a lot to cool it.

But I think my little energy reports are bogus, too. I believe it's just to pressure folks into using less. They also send me that thing about installing some little gizmo that monitors and reports my usage or some crap. Idk, it sounds creepy, and I just throw that flyer away. I think they just want everybody to use less energy.

Or they want to control you.

 

[UKGrad93]

If you are cooling your house to a reasonable temperature, the basement will likely be even colder. Then factor in that old people want it 10° warmer than most. It all points to your 85 y/o mom running a space heater to stay warm all day long.

 

[fitches4]

They also suggested the normal operating temperature should be set at 78. I like my nipples hard though. But that's just me. I keep it at 74.

 

[fitches4]

If you are cooling your house to a reasonable temperature, the basement will likely be even colder. Then factor in that old people want it 10° warmer than most. It all points to your 85 y/o mom running a space heater to stay warm all day long.

Normally I would agree with you, because that's my mom in a nutshell. But the first two months bills after installing it were $262 and $258. She keeps it at 73.

 

[UKserialkiller]

Well, gays probably did raise their prices in Orlando after the previous summer. Supply and Demand

[laughing] they sure did

 

[UKGrad93]

I would consider having the air conditioner checked. Maybe it is not cooling as efficiently as it once was. Clothes dryers, ovens, ac units - my understanding is that those account for most energy usage in a home.

 

[jtrue28]

They also suggested the normal operating temperature should be set at 78. I like my nipples hard though. But that's just me. I keep it at 74.

Yeah we get that same ******** "Conserve energy" letter every month. There is no way on Earth I will ever set my thermostat to 78. Summer or winter. Jesus H. Christ, that's hot. You have 1 A/C unit trying to cool 4200sq ft? That's your problem.

 

[fitches4]

The washer/dryer do get a workout daily with my brother's issues but that's been a normal thing and my bills have just gone up the last three months. Had the ac checked last month. All valid points though. I read that heating a home is more expensive than cooling. So I would've expected a jump in a different time of year.

 

[fitches4]

Yeah we get that same ******** "Conserve energy" letter every month. There is no way on Earth I will ever set my thermostat to 78. Summer or winter. Jesus H. Christ, that's hot. You have 1 A/C unit trying to cool 4200sq ft? That's your problem.

We've shut off all the registers downstairs and all the rooms not used upstairs. Not foolproof obviously. The room above the garage is always much warmer than anywhere else in the house so you may be right.

 

[funKYcat75]

Just got my first post-new-AC bill in the mail. 1000 fewer kWh in this period compared to last year.

 

[DSmith21]

The thing I find the oddest is that it's twice what other households are. That stuns me, given there are no kids, extravagant activities, etc.

Your bills seem to be running similar to mine. However, my house is 700 sq. ft. larger. Also I have three A/C units; one of these units is 30 years old (not efficient). So your bills do seem out sized.

If you haven't already, you should switch all of your incandescent bulbs over to LED (they only use 15% of the energy for the same level of lighting). Three biggest users of electricity are A/C, the fridge/freezer and lighting (if still using old bulbs).

 

[fitches4]

Just found out what type of comparisons they're using. Single family, 4 occupants, 2.1 miles away (average 1 mile) and 2,234 sq ft. I shouldn't fill this much better over a piss-poor job of supposedly keeping me informed, but I do. Someone previously mentioned that his comparison was 1000 off. I can't find the post to give you credit but you nailed it. All the other suggestions were fantastic too. Appreciate all the feedback greatly. Especially the funny ones. Thanks again.

 

[wildcatdonf]

Our electric bill for July was $304.39. Similar size as yours. 2 AC units. 2 refrigerators. Gas water heater. We keep it comfortable. #4 stays with us some. That makes a big difference on the gas and water usage. I dread the August bill.

 

[buckethead1978]

Who pays attention to their LG&E bills?

It auto-pays, I don't even open up the envelope.

 

[UKGrad93]

I get my electricity from a co-op. So even if the bill is big, it's like paying myself. Win-win.

 

[buckethead1978]

Commie

 

[GGCAT]

In the 3 years we have owned our current house (3000 sq.ft) I have been pleasantly amazed at how low our LGE / KU bills were...150.00 combined max for summer or winter.

Well that has changed dramatically in the last 2-3 billing cycles. Now pushing 300.00 and not much has changed in how we normally keep our house temperature wise. Have to think its an efficiency issue with the HVAC, occasionally it has a mind of it own and thermostat will change to its highest or lowest possible settings, making it either sub-tropical or arctic for short periods of time.

Guess I better stop complaining about the bill and call the man.

 

[jtrue28]

Or get new thermostats.

 

[rmattox]

They also suggested the normal operating temperature should be set at 78. I like my nipples hard though. But that's just me. I keep it at 74.

Bingo! Just built an 1800 sq ft house, moving from a 2900 that was 110 years old. We insulated the heck out of it, put triple pane windows in, and a new furnace around 12 years ago. We'd get those comparisons and it would say we were around 50% of what comparable homes were spending. That said, we only heated and conditioned the 4 rooms we spent most time in...I'd yell at the kids to keep doors closed. Kept the AC at 78 during the day; curtains closed to keep out sun. My kid looked nice and pale like Pugsly and Wednesday Addams.

Rec. Maybe one way to make up some ground would be: When you install a new hvac, put in a gas furnace backup or at least get a dual fuel system. What really kills you in the winter with a heat pump is when auxilliary burners kick on. I put in a gas furnace and would I'd switch over to "emergency heat" resulting in my gas furnace backup heating the house all winter. Heat bills about 1/2 of what they had been using electricity and we actually stayed warm.

OR....there's this thing you can do with pennies where you can remove your electric meter and wire it directly..... There should be plenty people in loooooooeyville that can help you with that.

 

[Chuckinden]

Someone on the Paddock concerned about what something costs?