Is my electric company screwing me?

[Argo]

I went on 1 month vacation recently and unplugged all my appliances. By unplugging I mean I actually unplugged them from the electric outlet. I dind't leave anything on, dsl mode, router, tv, dvd player even toaster and microwave were unplugged. The only thing left was fridge and an alarm clock. Yet I just recieved electric bill for $36. Can somebody explain this?

 

[Nohr]

What about the water heater and a/c?

 

[Eli]

Fridge and water heater could easily explain it.

You didn't expect your bill to be 1 or 2$ did you?

 

[Argo]

AC was off (i don't have central) as for the water heater, could it have used that much energy? My normal bill (when I use AC, tv, my computer) is around $100.

 

[Argo]

Originally posted by: Eli
Fridge and water heater could easily explain it.

You didn't expect your bill to be 1 or 2$ did you?

I thought it'd be more like $10-$15

 

[Nohr]

Originally posted by: Argo
AC was off (i don't have central) as for the water heater, could it have used that much energy? My normal bill (when I use AC, tv, my computer) is around $100.

If I recall the water heater alone is 20-25% of your monthly bill.

 

[optoman]

Originally posted by: Argo

Originally posted by: Eli
Fridge and water heater could easily explain it.

You didn't expect your bill to be 1 or 2$ did you?

I thought it'd be more like $10-$15

It is probably that much just in fees and taxes.

 

[Argo]

Originally posted by: Nohr

Originally posted by: Argo
AC was off (i don't have central) as for the water heater, could it have used that much energy? My normal bill (when I use AC, tv, my computer) is around $100.

If I recall the water heater alone is 20-25% of your monthly bill.

Seriously??? Wow, makes me regret I don't have a waterheater like my parents, that can be turned on/off.

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: Argo
AC was off (i don't have central) as for the water heater, could it have used that much energy? My normal bill (when I use AC, tv, my computer) is around $100.

TV and computer don't really use a lot of electricity.
Things that generate heat (AC, water heater, fridge, etc.) do use a lot.

 

[Nohr]

Originally posted by: Argo

Originally posted by: Nohr
If I recall the water heater alone is 20-25% of your monthly bill.

Seriously??? Wow, makes me regret I don't have a waterheater like my parents, that can be turned on/off.

You probably have a temperature control on it at the very least. You could turn the temp lower next time you go somewhere.

 

[optoman]

Originally posted by: Cyberian

Originally posted by: Argo
AC was off (i don't have central) as for the water heater, could it have used that much energy? My normal bill (when I use AC, tv, my computer) is around $100.

TV and computer don't really use a lot of electricity.
Things that generate heat (AC, water heater, fridge, etc.) do use a lot.

My computer and tv generate a lot of heat.

 

[mjquilly]

did they read your meter right before you left, and right when you came back?

 

[pinoy]

Originally posted by: mjquilly
did they read your meter right before you left, and right when you came back?

this may explain your bill in question also. It happened to us before.

 

[waitman]

Seriously??? Wow, makes me regret I don't have a waterheater like my parents, that can be turned on/off.[/quote]

Can't you just shut the breaker off at the breaker box?