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High Gas Bills
updated: Jan 04, 2013, 4:47 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

Gas Co. bills higher than usual? Anyone have a new meter installed and been getting MUCH higher than usual gas bills? My bill went up 5 fold - tested for leaks and there were none. Didn't think much until i heard the same thing from another person. Yes, it's been cold. But not THAT cold!

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 360265	2013-01-04 04:51 PM
If you had a new meter installed, you are having the same issue many smart meter people are complaining about. Basically, your old mechanical meter was worn and reading low...you've been underpaying for years. My bill went from about $30 to about $100 for this colder than usual winter, so 5 fold doesn't seem too out of line.
COMMENT 360268P	2013-01-04 04:56 PM
Yes, it was 38 degrees last night.
COMMENT 360269	2013-01-04 04:56 PM
Really? We have all been underpaying? Two people in a small (under 900 sq ft) house, both at work all week. One gas wall heater, a gas stove and hot water heater for washer/dryer and showers. Gone from $25-$40 a month to $160 this month!
COMMENT 360278	2013-01-04 05:23 PM
Bill was $7 in November, and $77 in December. I always expect to pay more from December-Feb.
COMMENT 360280P	2013-01-04 05:30 PM
Our gas usage doesn't jive with that. Roughly 2100 sq ft, two people and a cat, gas stove, hot water heater, and furnace. Our monthly summer gas bill is around $18, and a cold winter month jumps up to $50. Are you sure there's not a leak? Is the water heater set really high?
COMMENT 360295	2013-01-04 05:48 PM
2100 sq. ft house - NO leak! Had the gas co out today to test everything...hot water tank is set on LOW...makes NO sense! Another friend, same issue. We think it could be the new meters - as the technician suggested putting a new meter on....so he may know something we don't know!
COMMENT 360326	2013-01-04 06:33 PM
Guess what? It is winter and has been very cold. We are using a lot of heat.
COMMENT 360346P	2013-01-04 07:56 PM
I live in the mobile home park off of Calle Real and for me (bundled up in this weather), it was over $100 extra this month.
MESARATS	2013-01-04 09:35 PM
Always higher in winter. This winter has been colder and usage higher. I'm sure there is a increase in there also, but of the 3 bills I pay they are not that out of range given the usage. If you pay online you can access and graph your useage and compare to last year. I would say that all of the utilities are higher. If anyone is seeing any lower utility bills ( without kicking out the spouse, kids,dogs or going off the grid)!that would be news.
COMMENT 360370P	2013-01-05 04:12 AM
Not for me - the same or less.
FLICKA	2013-01-05 07:42 AM
Blame politics for higher bills? Please explain; easy to make statements off the cuff w/no backup. Interestingly, I just opened my Edison bill and it doubled in a month, from $50-$100. Don't have a furnace, heat with wood.
COMMENT 360421	2013-01-05 08:46 AM
We had our home renovated in 2011 and have now been back in the house for a year. We replaced all gas lines and the meter and have all new appliances as well as new forced air gas furnace and most importantly a new tankless water heater. We also insulated the house. Our gas bill is now a third of what it was before the renovation. In the warm months it is always under $10 and averages about $32 in the cold months. And we also got some nice rebates and tax deductions. So if you think there is a big conspiracy to steal your money, you might take a look at the recommendations of the evil utilities and the big bad government.
COMMENT 360424	2013-01-05 08:54 AM
FLICKA, are you saying you used no extra electricity but SCE is just price gouging because it's winter?
ROGER DODGER	2013-01-05 10:48 AM
I oughta to open up my own gas company!
FIRST DISTRICT	2013-01-06 12:42 AM
SCE will be flush. We, too, were coerced into having a Smart Meter installed. Of course, we were mortified when we saw our next bill and were told that our old meter was slow. We now expect to pay about $3000 more per year.
COMMENT 360650P	2013-01-06 01:54 AM
First District, your electric bill is going up $250 per month?
COMMENT 360698	2013-01-06 08:50 AM
Houston, we have a problem it seems! My recommendation to anyone who is seeing an unusually high bill (you can see your usage on your paper bill or on line not only from previous months but from one year ago) is to call the Gas Co. and insist on an investigation. I was first told to check my meter on my own to make certain there was not a misread (there was not). Then I called back and asked for an investigation as to the huge spike from the same time last year. The Gas Co. will send someone out to check for leaks (as they did to my house). It was suggested that they might replace the meter, as it may be reading incorrectly. Thank you for your comments one and all..I hope more people scrutinize their bills and comment here. Tell your neighbors and friends to take a look! Thanks.
FIRST DISTRICT	2013-01-09 08:41 AM
Yes, 650P. Our bill per month will go from about $50 per month to about $$250/$300 per month.
COMMENT 361678	2013-01-09 09:18 AM
That seems somewhat implausible.
COMMENT 361759	2013-01-09 01:28 PM
What temperature do you set your thermostat to, and do you leave it on all day and night? My bill would be that high if I tried to keep it at 72 all the time, but we only turn it up to 70, down to 64 when we sleep, and turn it off when we're not home. As it is, our bill still tripled between November and December, that's what happens in the winter.
FIRST DISTRICT	2013-01-09 08:55 PM
Believe me. . . We're frugal. Our house isn't that large and we absolutely do not leave things on all night. Implausible, but dat's the troot. Very alarming to say the least.

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