[OUVickie]

Like RAC, I'm wondering what all is electric - is the house totally electric?
Dryers are huge energy consumers, as are microwaves. I found this out when I went to buy a new dryer and was looking for energy efficiency. But if your stove, water heater, AC/Heat, dryer, washing machine, etc. all run on electric and you're home all day - you will use lots of energy.
My bill runs around $100-120 mo. for 1850 sq. ft, but it's just me and Hubby and no one's home T-F until about 6 pm. My dryer is electric and so is my w.h.. I also have a Deep Freeze that is plugged in all the time and I keep the air on 80 just too keep it from using too much energy too cool the house when I get home.
Also, your location might make a difference. It depends on what they use to fuel your power plants. That could make it more expensive for all customers who are powered by that plant. If they are nuclear or coal fired, they may have to have special equipment to meet emissions standards and that gets passed on to the consumer.

 

[OUVickie]

We have oil heat but an electric 40 gallon hot water heater, we do have a well too. Also, I do bake alot, daily, I wonder if its my older stove? Same for the microwave. My dryer is electric too but I only dry (weather permitting) 1 load a day max. I plan to call the elctric co tomorrow and see if someone can come out to check wiring and meter, and do an evaluation on whats using the power. They said they'd come over a month ago but I am getting impatient.

Very good idea!
Any electric appliance that is not working properly pulls more power. My older dryer was doing that, it was actually tripping breakers! Microwaves use a huge amount of power when in use - they are nice to cut down on heat - but anytime something kicks on and the lights flicker, it's pulling a lot of electricity. Also, if your water heater has sediment in it, it will use more electricity to heat the water. If your stove is electric and older, yes, it could be using more electricity too. It's a great idea to have them test the amount of electricity each one pulls, if they will do that. You're on the right track.

 

[OUVickie]

OK got my bill out of the van. We are billed .054490 per KWH. last month we had 2001 KWH which works out to $109.XX then tax which works out to $113.XX. Then there is a supplier delivery charge of $159.74 . The delivery is the charge for the polls, getting electricity etc to my house.( this is what lady on phone said) I repeated that I need someone out here and she said it had ONLY been 2 MONTHS since I requested someone come out. I am like ONLY 2 months??? Good grief. So anyways she is going to recall him and see if he can get here "sooner"
I will show my hubby your replies and maybe tommorrow we can test out meter ourselves and see whats up.

Sounds like they may have been splitting the charge to run electric to your house - did you ask them to do that when you first moved in?
I know they charge a large amount to get electric poles set and run the lines here, if they don't already exist. Last I heard it was $1800
We were fortunate, ours were already here and all they had to do was put a new meter in, the old tenants trashed the one before.
So, if thats what they did, split the charges up into monthly payments and then add taxes for that and the usage it may be high until those are paid off. But, they should be willing to breakdown the bill and clarify the charges for you over the phone.
2 months is a LONG time to have to wait for something like that, but it may depend on how many workers they have for that particular job.
Good Luck - I hope you get some answers soon!!

 

[OUVickie]

OK what doesn't make sense though is that this house is 40 years old and the power isn't new, so its not like the previous owner was paying for power to be brought to the house. I am not entirely sure what "delivery" charge means. The woman wasn't very helpful though.

That's not good. They should be able to explain every single charge in detail. The only other option might be to speak to a Billing Supervisor and see if they can explain it or give you a complete itemized bill with a total breakdown.
You are the Customer, they shouldn't be able to charge you for something they can't explain - what else would they be charging delivery for - that's puzzling!
You have the right as a consumer to an explanation of what you're paying for and if they can't explain it then you might let them know you're going to contact either the Better Bus. Bureau or what we call here - The Corporation Commission, which is the Utility authority. Don't let them bamboozle you. You deserve to know what you're paying for.