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High Electric Bill

5K views 48 replies 18 participants last post by  den 
#1 ·
Got a call from a customer tonight saying her power bill was more than double the past two months. She said nothing has been added to raise consumption, if anything it should of decreased due to family members moving out. Does anyone have any tips or pointers what exactly to look for whos encountered a similar situation? BTW, she has already contacted poco and they told her to hire electrician.
 
#2 ·
One of my clients had this happen last year about this time. Turned-out that they had they their electric heat serviced to prepare for winter and the HVAC guy did something to make it work only in "Emergency Heat" mode. Worth a look! Keep us abreast of the situation.
 
#7 ·
The utility has to verify the meter is calibrated if requested by the customer.

Check the panel for loads that may be on as noted such as a sump pump, well pump, heater....

Check the bill as noted for several months check for reading type actual, smart meter or estimated.

Was the meter changed by the utility.
 
#22 ·
Check sump pump. I had before sump pump broke and was running non stop.
On the same note
freezer going bad running non stop
something plugged in outside like a bug lite or something seasonal perhaps
hot water leak
irrigation pump
bathroom floor heat


If its not a billing issue (wich it likely is) take a step back and look it obvious stuff start looking for things plugged in that may not have been a few months ago
 
#41 ·
I think he is asking if the meter's frequency counter measures the frequency when taking a voltage reading based on the whole a 60 Hz meter reading low on 50 Hz power comment.

I think French was talking about a revenue meter so a meter calculating AC watts not just measuring volts.
 
#43 ·
I think he is asking if the meter's frequency counter measures the frequency when taking a voltage reading based on the whole a 60 Hz meter reading low on 50 Hz power comment.

I think French was talking about a revenue meter so a meter calculating AC watts not just measuring volts.
Ya just about hit the nail right on the spot I know the revenue meter will read the wattage but if the meter is calberated to run on 60 HZ and have 50 HZ you will read lower KWH rating ditto if you have 50 HZ meter socket on 60 HZ supply it will read 6/5 fast.

However., the meters will read the wattage that it.

Merci.
Marc
 
#45 ·
When we first went to smart meters we had a few that started reading extremely high and after a lot of checking and putting 2 meters side by side we finally found out that some new hd tv's throwed out some wierd harmonics or something that screwd with them. the cure was a capacitor between both hot's and that fixed it. we always shut off breakers one at a time and see if the meter stops to find the circuit that is using a lot. I always keeo some old style meters so I can see the wheel move
 
#46 ·
i was never an lineman, my brother was and some of best friends, this back when the utility bucket truck pulled up beside you and asked you if they had anythin you needed, that was the good old days, lots of storys, my friend and his working buddy climb a pole to work on something, now i said climb, and his buddy had a heart attack at top of pole and my friend carry him down the pole, this is when they used spurs, he made it, his buddy had full recovery and finish his career doing office work, i never forgot that incident, hats off to all you lineman you earn your pay
 
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