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So is everyone getting a utility rate increase soon?
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Posted by aachenelf z5 Mpls, MN (My Page) on Sat, Aug 16, 08 at 17:14
| It's been all over the news around here. 40-50% increase in both gas and electric this fall. I was kind of expecting some kind of increase, but that just blew me away.
I always thought there wasn't a shortage of natural gas, but the reason they're giving is a lot of businesses are converting to this. It still sounds fishy to me since I keep on hearing about how much natural gas this country has.
I'm bummed.
Kevin |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: So is everyone getting a utility rate increase soon?
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| On top of the 72% hike we've had in the last 2 years? I hope not!! The first year we had a mandatory deferred payment and the second year an optional deferred payment. We did not choose to have a deferred payment the second year. We plan on moving next year, and I didn't want to be hit with a large bill when moving. I figured it to be about $900.00 we would owe. So I started paying extra and and eventually made a phone call about it. I was informed that we would need to pay the payment over the next 10 years. If you're moving within the BG&E range then the bill will go with you. We are not moving within their range. She said in that case, the new owners of the property will become responsible for the debt. She also suggested I not share that info with the new owners. I was shocked. Christy |
RE: So is everyone getting a utility rate increase soon?
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| As I've posted here before on a thread or two, lol, (can't help complaining about this one!) we last year had a 50% raise in our rates. This year, the electric company is seeking permission to raise rates again. They say people are doing so well conserving that their profits have gone down. Poor babies. :)
Dee |
RE: So is everyone getting a utility rate increase soon?
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| Oh god, I hope not! I have enough expenses, as I'm sure most people do. Sarah |
RE: So is everyone getting a utility rate increase soon?
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| christy - I can't imagine something like that wouldn't show up in a closing if the house were sold. Maybe not, but I think that might be worth checking out. Dee - I sure hope your public utilities commission has the stones to say "No". That just isn't right. |
RE: So is everyone getting a utility rate increase soon?
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| We've had three hikes in New Mexico in less than two years. I am paying slightly more than double what I used to pay for electricity. I have a propane tank for gas. I don't know what the figures are for propane rate hikes. Lorna |
RE: So is everyone getting a utility rate increase soon?
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| Our electric went up 15% last year and with in this last month this year they got to pass another 20% hike! For 1000sq ft house we pay 120-130 in the summer and we have all florescent energy efficient lightbulbs and I am a fanatic about turning them off when they are not in use. Not really sure how the govt expects consumers to afford all these hikes in prices when our salaries are not going up or keeping up in any way???!!! |
RE: So is everyone getting a utility rate increase soon?
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| I'm paying about $68 a month for electricy this summer for an 1800 sq. ft. home. My hot water heater is electric. The kitchen stove is propane. I disconnected my stereo and an electric clock, and will be interested to see if that makes a dent in the monthly bill. I tried turning off the power strip to the cable and TV but that makes the cable reset itself, everytime I turn on the TV. I find that aggravating so I gave up on that one. Lorna |
RE: So is everyone getting a utility rate increase soon?
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| 68 dollars a month!!!!!!!! Wow! My bill is about that much a week! And my house is about 2000 sq. ft. I've cut back on so much, turning things off and not using things... I'm afraid I may have to stop spending so much time at GW and turn off the computer! :)
Dee |
RE: So is everyone getting a utility rate increase soon?
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| I always complain about our electric bill - and yes, it's going up this winter, or so they say. But I guess ours isn't that bad considering what you guys/gals are paying. Our house is about 2500 sq. ft, and our electric bill is about $96 dollars per month (around $120 - $150 in winter, depending on how cold it is). We do use a lot of electricity, and hope to install solar panels in the next several years - next year to run the yard lights, greenhouse and garden fountain, if possible. |
RE: So is everyone getting a utility rate increase soon?
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| Bill for this past month - $234. I've got 2000 sq ft., no central air (two air conditioners used at night about four or five nights a week), no lights during the day (and only about two, maybe three, at night!) , two TVs usually only at night. The computer does run a good 12 hours a day. It's gotta be the darn computer... Let's hope the DPUC blocks that second rate increase request! :)
Dee |
RE: So is everyone getting a utility rate increase soon?
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| In June my bill was around $34. July was $51. No AC, no dryer, but I think I was using the 'puter lots and lots last month. I also ran a fan quite a bit, but I'm not sure what the big increase was due to. Looks like I used about 100 kwh more in July as compared to June. Can't wait until I turn the lights on for the orchids this fall. Kevin |
RE: So is everyone getting a utility rate increase soon?
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RE: So is everyone getting a utility rate increase soon?
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Dee - Don't cry. That wasn't my intent. If the tears hit the keyboard, you could short it out or start a electrical fire. That wouldn't be good at allll.
(I bet it's your AC.) K |
RE: So is everyone getting a utility rate increase soon?
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| Dee, I think you're getting ripped off! I said we use a lot of electricity...that includes the following: - computer (on 24 hours a day)
- cordless phones
- fridge, deep freeze, oven, microwave, TV (only on at night/plugged in all the time), Dig. converter box (because we forget to turn it off), VCR, DVD player (standby modes, we just hate to reset times, and we time record shows weekly)
- 2 aquariums, 1 lizard tank with lights/heat mat
- Central air kept at 73-74 all summer (have to keep the pet tanks at stable temps)
- Dishwasher every night
- One load of laundry 4 days per week (washed and dried) And I leave the blinds open all day for our three huge picture windows, because I love plants, and have a house full that need light - not efficient as far as cooling goes. I don't think it's just your computer...I think it's your electric company! Either that, or those window A/C units are highly inefficient... |
RE: So is everyone getting a utility rate increase soon?
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| Well, yes, it is our electric company. As I've posted before, last January (07) they had a 50% rate increase, which is why everyone is so up in arms over their request for another. I believe I read somewhere that we may have the second highest rates in the country. Jamie, it sounds like I have pretty much the same usage as you: two TVs, almost always only at night, and not always both on
one fridge (ooh - forgot - a fridge in the garage for my cut flowers running during the summer)
one VCR
microwave
electric stove
dehumidifier running 10 months a year
washer machine, maybe 4 to 5 times per week (clothes hung to dry 90% of the time)
dishwasher two to three times a week (lol, Jamie!)
lights - we're really careful with these. Usually only two, maybe even one light on at night (my DH likes to watch TV in the dark, lol)
2 window air conditioners, run about 4 to 5 nights each.
one computer, on about 6 to 12 hours a day And to think I was happy that my bill was $10 less than last month, lol! :)
Dee |
RE: So is everyone getting a utility rate increase soon?
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| Dee I would bet it's the AC and dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers can easily add $25/month to your bill depending on how much they run. They also give off a lot of heat in the process of taking the moisture out of the air, so that would heat up your house even more. Kevin |
RE: So is everyone getting a utility rate increase soon?
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| This month I've gotten one of the cheapest bills since the rate hike. Before the 73% rate hike this would have been around $85.00. I rarely run the AC, just close all of the blinds. All lights and ceiling fans are left off when not in use. I have a newer dishwasher that is run once a day, no heat dry. About 3 loads of laundry a week, and if they are sheets or towels they are air-dried. One TV is on consistently through the day. It is a constant battle to keep the electric bill down! Christy
Electric Details Summer Rates in Effect
Residential - Schedule R
Billing Period: Jul 22, 2008 - Aug 20, 2008 Days Billed: 29
Meter Read on August 20 Meter # D000068501
Current
Reading
Previous
Reading
kWh
Used
31871 - 30801 = 1070
BGE Electric Supply 1070 kWh x .11820000 126.47
BGE Electric Delivery Service
Customer Charge 7.50
Distribution Charge 1070 kWh x .01910000 20.44
RSP Chg/Misc Credit 1070 kWh x .00518000 5.54
State / Local Taxes & Surcharges
MD Universal Svc Prog .37
State Surcharge 1070 kWh x .00015000 .16
Franchise Tax 1070 kWh x .00062000 .66
Local Tax 1070 kWh x .00728600 7.80
Total BGE Electric Amount $168.94
The RSP Charge on this bill includes a qualified rate
stabilization charge of $0.00763 per kWh approved by the
Maryland PSC that BGE is collecting as servicer on behalf of
RSB BondCo LLC, which owns the qualified rate stabilization
charge. |
RE: So is everyone getting a utility rate increase soon?
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| Well, I tried to read my bill once again, and I just can't understand what's what, to be honest. The only two clear lines are the Total Generation Services Charge, and the Total Delivery Charges, $116.95 and $116.96, respectively, for a total bill of $234.91. Kevin, I think you and Jamie are right - I'm sure those darn air conditioners don't help the bottom line. Luckily it's been cooler here lately during the nights, so hopefully that will help. By the way, perhaps if I cried and my tears shorted out the keyboard, I wouldn't be able to use my computer and I'd save some money, lol! The computer has got to be my biggest personal electricity expenditure. I'd have no trouble giving up the AC (that's DH's thing!) but don't take away my computer! :)
Dee |
RE: So is everyone getting a utility rate increase soon?
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- Posted by zigzag 7b - Triangle, NC (My Page) on
Wed, Aug 27, 08 at 16:07
| Some of the postings above are just what gets my ire up - sheesh, why should something as basic as utilities become such hard work and require higher math skills ??! Erasing my years as an apartment dweller, I've been in my own home now for six years. Was first happy that heat/hot water were gas fired (and I added gas cooking at some cost) - feared electric lites and AC the most. Boy, was I wrong! While both utilities have increased dramatically, right now the electric tab is way better than the gas tab in the increase race. I have both on the 'equal pay' systems .... last adjustment the electric actually decreased by a few pennies ... current adjustment on the gas increased by 34% per month - no kidding! Nothing to do with usage, all to do with rate increases (i.e. corporate gains). So, what else in this so called life we have can get a 34% gain w/no oversight or compunction?? Bah humbug. I have done as much as I can - am living my life and hoping for the best. Have passive solar lighting, passive solar venting, am uber-conservative in other uses .... but, I refuse to revert to depression-era ways until our governing personages do the same. So there! Well, that's not gonna happen ..... And don't even get me started on the city water bill ......! |
RE: So is everyone getting a utility rate increase soon?
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| I hear you on gas and water, zigzag. In the winter, our gas can hit over $200 for one month when it gets below zero out (it's around $20 a month in summer). And they're threatening it will be worse this year. Our furnace is relatively new and energy saving...I can't imagine how those with older furnaces get by! The city just passed a sliding scale fee structure for water (that will increase every year for the next three years), so now, just to water our *garden* (ie, local food), it's costing us over $100 per month, as opposed to the $30 or so it costs for water the rest of the year (I guess I don't know now though, since the rate hike went into effect in the summer). As if making us pay through the nose for choosing to grow our own veggies in summer is fair. Needless to say, we're looking into having a well sunk for our yard/garden needs next year. Before, it wouldn't have been cost effective, now, it absolutely is. |
RE: So is everyone getting a utility rate increase soon?
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| I guess I do get a break somehow - I have a well, so no water fees. I guess it helps make up for my electric bill, and for my oil bill which just went up by another $150 per month. Sigh... :)
Dee |
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