Rising Electricity Use Update

rdandersom · Mar 6, 2017

Many thanks to all who shared their thoughts. The bill I just received was Jan 5 to Feb 3.The previous bill had also been high so 2 changes had been made as of Feb 5 or so. The tractor block heater was only used for 2 hours prior to each use and the clothes line was put back in use regardless of the weather.I checked the meter this morning and compared it to the last reading. Use for January was 2286 kwh with those 2 little changes February use was 1038 kwh. I suspect my problem lies with one of these. Thanks again Rob

paul · Mar 6, 2017

I didn't look at your orevious thread, but my brother in law plugged in the pickup outdoors on winter day and forgot it that way for the whole month.

Boy oh boy did thry have an ekectric bill, in the hundreds of dollars higher. it was something to behold! My sis was not happy......

Paul

rustyfarmall · Mar 6, 2017

I think I would be inspecting the house and garage wiring also. Is it heavy enough?

JD Seller · Mar 6, 2017

A correct functioning block heater will NOT use hundreds of dollars of electric each month. I have tractors that are plugged in 24/7 all winter long and they use about $30-40 per month being plugged in 24/7. So I would be looking at other things.

Crazy Horse · Mar 6, 2017

I'm wondering what electricity rates are in your neck of the woods. Up here in Central Alberta, rates are hoovering around 4 cents per kilowatt hour. Of course, there are admin fees on top of that as well as distribution fees, etc (which a lot of us think are pretty steep). But I do wonder what others are paying as a base rate for the power itself.

buickanddeere · Mar 6, 2017

I agree 100%

buickanddeere · Mar 6, 2017

A 750W block heater plugged in 24/7 would cost approx 125$ per month.

David G · Mar 6, 2017

That is super cheap, I am paying in 12-15 cent range in Iowa

Crazy Horse · Mar 6, 2017

Here's a great link ...... once in there you can find out the current power rates in any of the US states for residential, business, and industrial. Residential rates are the most expensive, you'll see that pretty quick. I will look for a similar link for Canadian provinces. Generally, rates down there are higher than here in central Alberta, I had mentioned that we pay about four cents per kwh (plus extra charges but I'm sure everyone pays those anywhere). Keep in mind that the US dollar costs Canadians about $1.33.

Here's the link .....
Electricity rates in US states

Hank ABAB · Mar 6, 2017

Here is a kind of generalized comparison for provinces.
A Provincial cost comparison.

Crazy Horse · Mar 6, 2017

That graph is a bit confusing I find ...... the left hand axis should be labelled as dollars ($) and the title should be Canadian Provincial Monthly Cost for 1000 kwh of Power. At least, that's how I read it and think it should be. At home here, we used 680 kwh in January (central Alberta).

DoubleR · Mar 6, 2017

My water pump which is in the well was coming on every time water was being drawn anywhere. After a couple of months of higher electric bills we finally figured it out. The tank was water logged and the pump is in the well so we don't here it coming on.

I also found out about ten years ago that my electric provider has a cheaper rate for agriculture use. I was on residential rate. My bill came down then when I switched over.

rustyfarmall · Mar 6, 2017

(quoted from post at 06:51:11 03/06/17) I'm wondering what electricity rates are in your neck of the woods. Up here in Central Alberta, rates are hoovering around 4 cents per kilowatt hour. Of course, there are admin fees on top of that as well as distribution fees, etc (which a lot of us think are pretty steep). But I do wonder what others are paying as a base rate for the power itself.

The rates are irrelevant in this case. The problem is with the sudden increase in KWH used.

Bruce from Can. · Mar 6, 2017

We are tickling the .18 per KWH here in Ontario. I understand it is the highest in Canada. We just love being first in line.

Tech 7 · Mar 6, 2017

Former co worker had been getting high bills for a while. Got checking things out, found an outlet he had thought was isolated from the panel was still live, had the eavestrough heating cable plugged into it. He discovered this in September. Needless to say he had no issues with the eavestrough freezing up that summer!

Crazy Horse · Mar 6, 2017

Let's see if my math is correct here. So a 750 watt block heater would use up 0.75 kilowatts/hour of power right? So if it were on for 24
hours per day for 30 days, then 0.75 kw/h x 24 hours/day x 30 days comes to 540 kilowatts of power used. So $125 cost divided by 540
kilowatts = about 23 cents per kilowatt where you live? That's pricey, well at least compared to where I am. Where do you hang your hat
B&D? Correct my math if I've made a mistake.

ajl · Mar 6, 2017

Just wondering: do you use electricity for heat and hot water tank. In AB we have those on NG so that is why your bills seem so high to us. Starting to think just one utility would be more efficient as you pay twice for distribution charges.

islandgreen · Mar 6, 2017

Here on P E I it is costing .19 per kWh.I don't think it is being first but a
race to be worst.

Crazy Horse · Mar 6, 2017

Didn't think of that, nobody that I know heats water with electricity, only NG that I know of. Also, these days a lot of people have gas stoves, it's not trendy to have an electric stove anymore. Kids insist on gas stoves even though nobody cooks at home .. ha! And gas clothes dryers too, so we likely use less power up in these parts for sure, but our rates are still low regardless.

buickanddeere · Mar 6, 2017

Ontario, pretty sure the site here states such info.

buickanddeere · Mar 6, 2017

Apparently not, over at TBN my location is posted.

rustyfarmall · Mar 6, 2017

(quoted from post at 09:25:28 03/06/17) Didn't think of that, nobody that I know heats water with electricity, only NG that I know of. Also, these days a lot of people have gas stoves, it's not trendy to have an electric stove anymore. Kids insist on gas stoves even though nobody cooks at home .. ha! And gas clothes dryers too, so we likely use less power up in these parts for sure, but our rates are still low regardless.

I heat the house with LP. We cook with LP. We heat water with electricity.

The gas kitchen stove provides a source of heat when the electric goes out, usually due to an ice storm or blizzard.

JD Seller · Mar 6, 2017

My electric is way cheaper than your guys. The peak rate is $.104 or 10 1/2 cents. The Off peak rate is $.073. So a block heater is costing $48.52 per month. Figuring 50% peak and off peak.

Crazy Horse · Mar 6, 2017

Well, cheaper than a lot of guys here on the forum but not cheaper than ours which is about 4 cents/kwh last month and has hoovered around there for some time.

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