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.

 

[Janice Ann]

MY SMECO bill averages $80-$100 in winter--100sqft house only 9 yrs old--The bill I received in January was $280 (over 3 times normal)and the bill received in Feb. was $387!!! This is outrageous. Nothing has changed and there are only 2 people in the house. Something is really wrong---Everyone I've spoken to says the same thing--their bills are QUADRUPLE --Do they REALLY expect people to pay that even when the thermostat is kept on 65-68, and a wood burning fireplace is going all day??? NO way was it that cold---their rates went up FOUR TIMES???? That's quite a price increase--they have us over a barrel and it's not right!! I'm a senior citizen on a fixed income--A 400 bill is a quarter of my income. I've turned the heat off --wearing my winter coat and building a fire everyday. This is WRONG WRONG WRONG!!! They keep handing out this BS that it's because of the cold. I've seen cold winters before but never bills CLOSE to this--and yet the National weather service said the average temperature for this winter in Southern Md has ACTUALLY been higher than averages for other winters. It is unacceptable. I hope that they are inundated with calls. I spent an hour on the phone yesterday and just got runaround BS answers.about the cold . Has it been FOUR times colder than normal? no way! Now I have to wait until April before they come out to inspect! I'm terrified to get my March bill!They should be sued for this ridiculous robbery!!!

 

[Janice Ann]

I meant 1000 sq ft house.

 

[Kyle]

Welcome to the Green New Steal.

 

[PeoplesElbow]

My bill was up significantly too.

 

[Sneakers]

Anyone with a heat pump can expect to get a larger bill for the past few months, it's been colder longer than usual. Heat pumps are not terribly efficient at low temps.

I've been monitoring various things around the house to see how much power they actually use. The one that surprised me was the oil burner. I knew it used a lot of power, but it's really more than I imagined. The burner itself uses next to nothing, but the surge current from the fan was 5500 watts (46 amps) and when it settled down, drew just under 1000 watts (just over 8 amps). The longer it runs, the more the meter spins. It's like brewing a fresh pot of coffee every couple of minutes. Adds up. Fortunately, I have the thermostat set to 55* and it doesn't run often. My electric bill this month was under $80.

I do feel for those whose bills skyrocketed these past few months. Mine does in summer when the a/c runs. $250-300/month is the norm.

 

[SamSpade]

How I envy you guys. My bill has never ever been that low.