My electricity Bill?

Question

Me and my girl friend live in a 600 square feet one bedroom apartment in Maryland. Today I got a $ 320 electricity bill from Pepco, that's 1940 KWH for 40 days of use. That seems REALLY high since we only use AC in the evening and keep the thermometer at above 82 degrees during the daytime. The other appliances we use are refrigerator and desktop computer?

Is this normal?

Answer 1

Try This> First Do you have Electric Heat or Gas???  I is possible for one to have electric Heat and one of the Elements has shorted to Ground. This will cause the meter to run the house a/c will run but not cool the house or will be equal temp.

To check this make sure all power is off, unplug everything including TV, Computer, all clocks Etc. Turn off the a/c at the thermostat.  Now go outside to your meter and look at the spinning wheel in the middle.  This should not move.  If it is you are using electricity. The faster it moves the more you are using.  

Yes it is possible for one heating element to break and go to ground and NOT blow a fuse.

If the meter is running faster, call a heating and A/C Mech.

Hope this helps

Answer 2

Something is wrong with this picture. I don't try to conserve hardly at all. 78 during the day and 77 after 3:30 when I get home from work. Also run a window AC unit in another room (sun room) that is attached to the back of my garage (20' x 20') in addition to the central air. Your bill is about double what mine is.

Answer 3

Those electric bills get on my nerves. I wish the company could reduce all bills.

Answer 4

It doesn't seem normal. I own 1500 sq ft house, I paid $80 for last month and I keep it at about 80. Are you in an apartment or toenhouse" I'd check the lines.

Minnesota

Answer 5

Yes. the AC is whats ding it. Just unplug everything while not in use and invest in solar panels.

Answer 6

call them up and check it out if you think something is wrong with the charges ,but AC use alot of juice..

Answer 7

Maybe its maryland but i live with two other roomates so computers are always running and TV's. Not to mention AC is allways on and we only get about 150-180 bill.

Answer 8

~~It sounds ridiculously high, however how low are you setting your thermostat at night when you are home? Are you keeping all your drapes closed to keep sun out of the rooms through the day. I know Electric service has sky rocketed because of oil costs, but still yours seems extremely high. Do not turn your thermostat lower than 78, keep fans going to circulate the air and keep you more comfortable. Close everything in the day to keep your rooms cool. Call your electric company and ask them to recheck you meter. I have had mine mis-read twice. Refrigerators can also suck up electricity like crazy if the coils are dirty. Find out where your coils are and get a coil brush (any hardware store sells them), and give them a good cleaning. If you hear your fridge running allot then you can suspect having dirty coils. Also every month change your a.c. filter, it makes it work hard and inefficient when it gets dirty. Hope it's a mistake, but if not here are some helpful tips.~~