SMECO Issues

[LJ1999]

So, I open my electric bill and it is 4 times higher than normal. It shows a HUGE jump in kWhs and costs. We have done nothing different at home. So I call and no one there seems to think it's odd at all that this has happened. I just keep getting scripted conversations regrading Energy Efficient Appliances and maybe there is an issue with your HVAC system.

They have told me that it looks like our home is pulling constant power at high levels all day. They send someone to look at the meter and he says it's all good.

I have scheduled an HVAC maintenance service call, but as far as we can tell at home, it is working normally.

Does anybody have any input or have you had this happen before? I really don't want to pay a $1000 electric bill without knowing what the issue is, and I'm not getting any help from SMECO.

 

[TPD]

Ouch - 4 times more! You've got something constantly drawing a lot of juice.

 

[Sneakers]

Heat pump for heat? If the compressor system fails, the electric coils kick in to provide heat, and that's expensive. But you'd probably see the "emergency heat" light on the thermostat.

 

[Kyle]

I think they've sent a secret code to the electronic meters to spin like a gyroscope.

 

[Blister]

Check your water heater if it is electric. Lime build up can insulate the elements, and cause the elements to run much longer than normal. The other likely suspect is the heat pump as noted before.

 

[Miker/t]

Maybe something like a sump pump stuck on?

 

[StadEMS3]

I'm going with heat pump going to emergency heat mode. It happened to me a few years back, it ran the bill way up! I'm on the average plan now so I don't get bill shock again and every week I get an email showing my electrical use compared to similar homes. I also learned that programmable thermostats may not be saving you $$ if you let the temp swing too much between times of day. Heat pumps will kick in emergency heat if demand is too high too quick. I now leave my house at 67 full time in the winter versus 65 at night and 71 day. I'm at $195 a month for a 6,000sqft house with 3 heat pumps and 2 water heaters.

 

[Sneakers]

Heat pumps will kick in emergency heat if demand is too high too quick.

Some as little as a 3* change. Just bumping the thermostat up 4-5* can turn on the electric elements.

 

[LJ1999]

Heat pump for heat? If the compressor system fails, the electric coils kick in to provide heat, and that's expensive. But you'd probably see the "emergency heat" light on the thermostat.

We have two, that are fairly new. This is what most people are saying might be the issue. I guess I'll find out on Tuesday.

 

[LightRoasted]

For your consideration ...



Kind of like what happened at a Costco, only in reverse. Their A/C thermostat malfunctioned and wouldn't turn off the system. But there were still brave shoppers dealing with it.

 

[vvaughn1]

So, I open my electric bill and it is 4 times higher than normal. It shows a HUGE jump in kWhs and costs. We have done nothing different at home. So I call and no one there seems to think it's odd at all that this has happened. I just keep getting scripted conversations regrading Energy Efficient Appliances and maybe there is an issue with your HVAC system.

They have told me that it looks like our home is pulling constant power at high levels all day. They send someone to look at the meter and he says it's all good.

I have scheduled an HVAC maintenance service call, but as far as we can tell at home, it is working normally.

Does anybody have any input or have you had this happen before? I really don't want to pay a $1000 electric bill without knowing what the issue is, and I'm not getting any help from SMECO.

Well I be I just received a bill yesterday from them and the total is 1000 they have got to be kidding me like this is crazy , we had a new system installed last year and a new hot water system heat remains on 68-69 no switching in between , last year with the old system the bill was less and running higher due to not knowing the rates in the area and now they expect for us to pay 1000 for one month of electric??

 

[PrchJrkr]

I paid my bill last night. It was $117 and some change. If it get a $1000 bill in the mail, I'll have to hock a few boats.

 

[LJ1999]

Well I be I just received a bill yesterday from them and the total is 1000 they have got to be kidding me like this is crazy , we had a new system installed last year and a new hot water system heat remains on 68-69 no switching in between , last year with the old system the bill was less and running higher due to not knowing the rates in the area and now they expect for us to pay 1000 for one month of electric??

It turned out that one of our thermostats was broken (this is the second time). It threw the system into emergency heat mode that ran continually. We had no way of knowing, as the heat didn't run continually.

SMECO will send a tech to check your system but they ca't fix it, only tell you if it's not working properly. We just called the heating/air company that we normally use.

 

[stgislander]

People were calling into T-Bone and Heather this morning complaining that this month's SMECO bill was approx. double over last month's bill. Electrical usage had to be up last month due to the extreme cold snap we had.