I didn't use ANY gas this month, why was I billed $15 for gas/delivery?

[BlahBlahYouToo]

i've been doing kitchen renovations in my condo for the past month and a half and have not cooked or turned on the heat at all. the range has been pulled from the wall and the valve closed and pipe capped.
yet the bill is practically the same as april.

the "service charge" is $5.85.
then there are "distribution charges" based on usage.
apparently I used 8.290 therms @ $0.37 per therm.

gas bill may, $15.54
gas bill april, $15.66
gas bill march, $16.76
gas bill feb, $15.60
gas bill jan, $20.32

wtf is going on?

 

[highland145]

Basic rate charge?

 

[Lean L]

They charge you a delivery fee because the lines were laid before your house was built which gives them the right to forever charge you for the pipes.

 

[NetWareHead]

For ongoing connection to the distribution infrastructure

 

[Bignate603]

Is it listed on your bill as a delivery charge rather than a charge for gas?

If so, "delivery" charge is the cost they charge everyone that's hooked up to the gas system. It doesn't matter if you use nothing, or you use a ton. You still pay $15 for that. Most utilities have a similar kind of charge.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

i've been doing kitchen renovations in my condo for the past month and a half and have not cooked or turned on the heat at all.
yet the bill is practically the same as april.

gas bill may, $15.54
gas bill april, $15.66
gas bill march, $16.76
gas bill feb, $15.60
gas bill jan, $20.32

wtf is going on?

If you are getting charged $15 for "line rent" it looks like you are hardly using any gas at all!

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

actually, gas was $5.53. delivery was $8.92.
previous month where i actually did use gas was $6.22, $9.44 respectively.

are they estimating usage because there's no way I used any gas.

 

[lxskllr]

hot water?

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Is it listed on your bill as a delivery charge rather than a charge for gas?

If so, "delivery" charge is the cost they charge everyone that's hooked up to the gas system. It doesn't matter if you use nothing, or you use a ton. You still pay $15 for that. Most utilities have a similar kind of charge.

the "service charge" is $5.85.
then there are "distribution charges" based on usage.
apparently I used 8.290 therms @ $0.37 per therm.

 

[SandEagle]

maybe because you're full of hot air?

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

hot water?

condo provided.

 

[Capt Caveman]

actually, supply was $5.53. delivery was $8.92.
previous month where i actually did use gas was $6.22, $9.44 respectively.

are they estimating usage because there's no way I used any gas.

Should say on the bill if it's an actual or estimated reading.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Should say on the bill if it's an actual or estimated reading.

says actual reading.

something is very fishy. my utility bills are generally $40-50 year round, whether i cook a lot, use heat a lot, use the AC, etc.

 

[waggy]

have you called them and ask?

 

[highland145]

have you called them and ask?

Waggy, he's got us.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

have you called them and ask?

no, it's easier to post on ATOT.
faster response times.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Gas dryer?

 

[EagleKeeper]

have you called them and ask?

no, it's easier to post on ATOT.
faster response times.

Maybe you have a small leak that should be checked it no gas appliances connected to the gas lines have been used.

Contact the gas company and have them come out a check for leaks.

I doubt that a condo association will provide hot water. they provide the water; you heat it.

It will be interesting to see if you post a result.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Gas dryer?

don't have one in unit.

 

[Zeze]

Seriously. I post noob stuff here. But shit like this I call them immediately and rage.

Just pick up the phone man. WTF can we do here.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

on the phone, talking to a computer for the past 5 minutes trying to get routed to a human.

 

[Brainonska511]

Estimated usage? They may not read the meter every month.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

the CSR is trying to tell me it's a basic charge.

i said it was an actual reading of 8.290 therms. she's stumped.

 

[Brainonska511]

the CSR is trying to tell me it's a basic charge.

i said it was an actual reading of 8.290 therms. she's stumped.

Maybe earlier months were estimates and they did an actual reading this month, which is where that could come from...

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Maybe earlier months were estimates and they did an actual reading this month, which is where that could come from...

prior months were also actual readings, CSR just confirmed it.

this is how incompetent they are. first CSR couldn't answer my question, put me on hold leading me to think she was going to ask an engineer or someone more knowledgeable. instead, i was cold transferred to another CSR to whom i had to explain the entire situation again.
this one tries to tell me 8 therms is nothing, you can cook a meal and use more than that. really, then each meal i cook would cost me $9 to cook. i might as well eat out every meal.


basically tries to do everything in her power to end the call and says i can call back if i smell gas.

and this is why i don't bother calling.