Couldn't wait for elec. bill. . .Till I Got It.

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.
Troutchaser

Troutchaser

New Member
Jan 1, 2010
345
Zone 6
lopi leyden 2009
WTH?
It went up 20 bucks from the previous month. Three weeks of the four was with the new wood stove. Yes, we're all elec. here so I was expecting to see some big time droppage. I've shut the heat off for days and nights through that stretch. It was bitter cold for about two weeks though. And I'm still learning the stove. Disappointing.
Blame kids are probably running the space heaters behind my back.
 
Bummer. Did you compare kilowatt hours? Is it possible there was a rate increase beginning of year?
 
That's possible.
Wife threw away last bill. Might could go online and check.
 
Does your unit use a blower? Have you been using fans throughout your house? Does the guy that reads your meter only read it once per quarter and averages your bill out?
 
Depending upon when you got the bill or when the meter was read, bear in mind that Christmas time was probably reflected in that bill. Generally, our January bill is the highest of the year. That is because December has short daylight days and Christmas lights plus all the extra lights on in the house.
 
http://www.p3international.com/products/special/P4400/P4400-CE.html

Buy one of those puppies. Easy to read, small, and a real eye opener. A TV on "standby" still uses a stupid amount of electricity.

Also did you factor in your holiday lighting requirements? This is our first year in our new house and I too was suprised at the bill. It didn't help we have about 60 miles of christmas lights.
 
Troutchaser said:
WTH?
It went up 20 bucks from the previous month. Three weeks of the four was with the new wood stove. Yes, we're all elec. here so I was expecting to see some big time droppage. I've shut the heat off for days and nights through that stretch. It was bitter cold for about two weeks though. And I'm still learning the stove. Disappointing.
Blame kids are probably running the space heaters behind my back.
Click to expand...

Considering how cold it was, that doesn't seem too bad. How much did the bill increase when looking back to a similar cold snap, prior to the stove? Dec is also a dark month when a lot of lighting is used and with the holidays, a lot of cooking happens.
 
Yeah big time heating demands in December this year and the bill only went up twenty bucks. That stove save ya some coin. Quit throwing your bills away so you can do month to month and year to year comparisons. Look in the checkbook for what the total was last December and January.
 
Make sure previous months weren't estimated usage. They did that to us once. Normal bills and then one for $450. Wifey wasn't happy about that one.
 
Thanks for the comments and help.
I did forget about the Christmas lights burning all over the inside and outside of the house.
I do know; however, that this is the highest bill we've ever paid for elec. I'll save the bills from now on for comparison. I don't know if they do an average or if they come out and read every month either. That could have been a factor.

But you're right, just think if I didn't have the stove.
 
Check with your Util company - you may be able to get the usage for the last year or two from them in KWhrs - this is what really matters. Then you can compare Dec to Dec which will mean a lot more than Nov to Dec. Also if it is usage (not estimate) look close at the read date as it may be 27 days in one bill then 33 the next due to the day they actually read it, this can make a considerable difference - to mean anything you should then calculate the average daily use for each bill.
 
Last year the natural gas company tried charging me the monthly winter average despite the dramatically lower readings on my meter. I guess they figured that I was trying to cheat them. I called them and told them I had installed a wood stove and that my boiler pilot wasn't even on. They did send someone out to verify but I haven't had a problem since. I guess there are folks out there with enough balls who are mechanically inclined enought to bypass a meter.
 
December was pretty darn cold as compared to November - and cold for December in general. It was more like January weather...
 
My first thought was Estimated Billing. Out in the rural part of the county they only get around to reading our meter every 4 months or so.
 
Just a thought...where is your fridge is in relation to your stove? It may be cycling on/off more frequently now that it is in a warmer area.
 
Scotty0844 said:
Make sure previous months weren't estimated usage. They did that to us once. Normal bills and then one for $450. Wifey wasn't happy about that one.
Click to expand...

Yup, or that this one was not estimated based on your expected usage.
 
I just tell myself if I wasn't burning wood, my bill would be $200-$300 more last month. I am electric heat pump and when its in the teens, that means resistance auxiliary heat.
 
Green Energy said:
I just tell myself if I wasn't burning wood, my bill would be $200-$300 more last month. I am electric heat pump and when its in the teens, that means resistance auxiliary heat.
Click to expand...

I am about to find out. I have had oil filled heaters with thermostats in every room for years as backup. Never used them. With the house warmed up and sixty degrees today but headed back down tonight I have decided to let'em run and leave the stove cold for a few days and see what the pain will be.

I probably won't make it past tomorrow night before I grab a Super Cedar and some splits but I am going to try.
 
BrotherBart said:
....and leave the stove cold for a few days.....
Click to expand...

How could you possibly be in the same room as a 30 and not have it running when all the electrics are blazing away :ahhh:
 
carinya said:
BrotherBart said:
....and leave the stove cold for a few days.....
Click to expand...

How could you possibly be in the same room as a 30 and not have it running when all the electrics are blazing away :ahhh:
Click to expand...

Their is a fine line between 'warmth' and 'holy crap it is hot in here'.
 
True.

BB has been trying to cool down his 122 degree outside walls
 
carinya said:
True.

BB has been trying to cool down his 122 degree outside walls
Click to expand...


Exactly. Turns out the IR wasn't broken.
 
My first bill was $59 and then the following month was $150, but when I read the bill closely it was estimated. Every other month they come and read the meter.
 
The power company used to read our meters every other month here too. Now they put in these new meters that they can read from the office. Transmits data over the power lines. Suppose to be able to access that data as consumers some day too. Allows you to monitor your usage in real time (as opposed to fake tine I guess).
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

J
Another "help me pick what I want" request - and a wonky chimney
Replies
10
Views
1K
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
1kzwoman
1
fenway
Hearthstone Clydesdale 8492 Review After 2 Months
Replies
7
Views
6K
HearthStone
SJFam
S
S
Things I've Learned, 9 Months In (Beginner Stuff)
Replies
14
Views
5K
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
Ashful
Ashful
Max W
Minisplits and wood
Replies
4
Views
901
The Inglenook
EbS-P
EbS-P
Caw
Disaster
Replies
90
Views
7K
The Wood Shed
Caw
Caw
Top Bottom
Back