I can't pay my electric bill.

[alarimer]

$170 in a one-bedroom apartment. Doubled from last month. Fucking blood-sucking assholes. And I can't switch companies because nothing is cheaper. My fucking salary does not go up this fast. What the hell am I supposed to do? And all you fucking assholes who think gas prices aren't high enough? I hope you die, you heartless pieces of shit. So now I guess I just roast in my apartment. No a/c at all. I can't open my windows because the stupid cat has torn all the screens.

[Lyric]

1. ...

:hug:

I'm so sorry. If I had it, I'd help in a heartbeat. But we're facing the same situation before too long...

[SeattleGirl]

2. I'm so sorry.

I just had to scrape up money to pay the utilities bill (water, garbage), or the water would be shut off tomorrow. When I called to find out what I absolutely HAD to pay today to avoid a shut off, the guy said that they had sent out a lot of shut off notices over the past 2 weeks.

x(

[alarimer]

3. oops. I somehow have posted this twice. n/t

[easttexaslefty]

4. That really sucks..........

:hug:

[GOPisEvil]

5. WTF?!?! $170 for a 1-bedroom apartment?

I got my bill yesterday: $87 for a 2BR home. Granted, I have a high efficiency A/C, but no way you should be paying double what I pay.

Of course, I have City of Austin Utilities; not some private company. Yeah, that whole choice in providers is paying off for consumers, eh? :eyes:

[alarimer]

18. They lied to us about deregulation.

The companies can now jack up the rates whenever they want instead of going through the PUC.

[Orrex]

22. Say it ain't so!

Deregulation fucking the little guy? But the utility companies and freemarketeers have long sworn that deregulation is the key to super-low prices for everyone forever! Please don't tell me that these dereg zealots were, dare I say, lying to us?


On a serious note, you have my deepest sympathy. When our electric service was deregulated, we noted an immediate 60% jump in price, and it hasn't fallen back at all since then.

Deregulation is one of the best ways to transfer wealth to the wealthy. Anyone who describes it as anything different is a lying sack of shit.

[Pierre.Suave]

6. DAMN

that really sucks. Why the fuck is it so high?

[ScreamingMeemie]

7. If I can help, let me know.

[alarimer]

20. It's okay I think.

I'll just have to stop contributing to my savings account for the time being and then move when I can to a better apartment. I've applied for a job in Houston that pays better. In any case, I've lose whatever idealism I once had about my field and I am going where the money is. The hell with working for a state agency in which raises this year will be 2.5%. Gas prices (and utilities as well, among other things) have increased way more than that. I'm tired of scraping by. Time to take my Master's degree and sell myself to the highest bidder.

[raccoon]

36. I was about to ask you if this was a real energy-INefficient apartment.

I've rented some places that were absolute barns.

[alarimer]

45. Well I think the problem has more to do with the a/c unit.

It is probably 20 years old at this point and nowhere as efficient as a newer one. Plus I think it leaks because every so often I have to call them to recharge it. It runs constantly no matter what temperature I set it on. Like every 10 minutes. No wonder my electric bill went up.

[BornBlue]

50. Not to be-little your problem. . .

but be happy you are at least getting a raise at all. My mother has worked for the government in IL, in one of the wealthiest counties in the country, for the past 12 years. The past 3-5 she has gotten no merit/cost of living raise. She has been lucky to keep getting promoted and gets little raises that way.

Good luck on getting the new job though! Times are tough, but with a masters you should be able to get by!

[My Good Babushka]

8. That really sucks.

If we were in a different boat, I sure would offer to help. But nope, same boat. And it seems to have a big fat hole in the bottom of it.

[ileus]

9. pay half...just send in half.

don't call don't write, just send in what you can afford and hope you do better next month.

[alarimer]

17. I am going to pay it.

It will mean dipping into savings. But it also means that in some months my paycheck now no longer covers all my expenses. That cannot continue. I am 40 years old, nearly have a Master's degree and I can't make ends meet all the time. If I do not get the better-paying job in Houston, I am going to apply for whatever pays the most in my field, idealism be damned.

[Fleshdancer]

10. Are you in the Austin area? n/t

[alarimer]

16. No. Corpus.

I have seen an electric cooperative advertised on TV. They do not show up on the power to choose.org site though so I am not sure I can use them.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

11. First of all, are you sure it's correct?

Sometimes utility companies make mistakes. Once when I lived in a group house in graduate school, we received an $800 water bill. We knew it was an error, because none of us had used water beyond the normal amount. We disputed the charge and got it reduced to the proper amount.

There is NO WAY a 1-br apartment should have a $170 electric bill. The biggest bill I've had for a 2-br here in Minneapolis is $55, and that's when I was using the A/C heavily.

If worse comes to worse, tape up your screens. I know, it's ugly, but it's downright dangerous to be in a closed-up apartment in hot weather. You can literally die from heat stroke.

[alarimer]

13. This isn't the first time.

The rates jumped 3 cents per KWH in the last month. Maybe more. The usage is not much more than it was last month, less than 1000 KWR. Last month it was slightly less in terms of usage but not by much. They jacked up their rates with no warning. That's the part of deregulation they didn't tell us about- that they will now be able to jack up rates whenever they want without having to go to the Public Utilities Commission.

[mwooldri]

12. Couple of things:

1) Pay what you can. There have been times when I couldn't pay the electric bill and skipped a month and ran paying a month behind for about six months. Duke Power kept my services running because I paid before the disconnection date. Student loan money allowed me to catch up with the bills.

2) Talk to your electricity company. They might be able to help out. I don't know where you are but here in this part of NC we don't have electricity competition, it's Duke Power or nothing. But it's still regulated by the state - they just can't hike rates up because they feel like it. But Duke Power works with agencies for people who can't pay their electricity bill and they state on their website if you cant pay the bill to call Duke Power first.

And as others have stated, check to see if the bill actually is correct. I live in a 2 bedroom trailer that's awfully draughty - costs awful amount to heat - $180 for February during the cold spell. Last months bill was $38 - no heat or air.. go figure. I don't know what the climate is like in your part of Texas but when we were in a 3 bedroomed apartment a couple of years ago the biggest power bill was about $100

I hope things get better and take care.

Mark.

[lildreamer316]

14. OT: I live in Jamestown...

be sure to keep me in mind for get-togethers!!
Yes, Duke has worked with me before too..thank goodness.

[alarimer]

15. I can pay the whole thing by eliminating my monthly savings.

I have $100 automatically deducted from my account (not my paycheck or it would be a lot harder to stop) to a savings account. I can stop that temporarily to pay the bill. Because I know that this is the bill for May. I have to get through June, July and August too.

What I will do is shut the a/c off when I am gone (when I am at work) and then leave it set as high as I can stand it and just run the fans. Maybe get another floor fan to use in the living room.

My apartment is poorly insulated- single pane windows. And my a/c unit is old. For some reason all my neighbors have pretty new, efficient ones. Mine is old but apparently still runs well enough so that they will not replace it.

I will likely have to dip into my savings. I may end up moving to the Houston area (for a better paying job) by September or so. Regardless if whether I get that job or not, I am leaving this apartment at the end of my lease for a newer place.

[mwooldri]

26. Phew! Thank goodness for savings.

From your post it sounded worse than it is though it is not nice to go into savings to pay day-to-day bills. Cutting off the A/C when you're not there is definitely a good thing. Our home doesn't have central air - we have window units. Since our family still sleeps together in one room (it's me, my wife and my 5-year old in a big kingsize bed (and yes he has his own room but he wont sleep there)) we get by with only running one A/C in the bedroom. Maybe it might be feasible for your place to put in a small window unit - cool one room down at least? Just a thought.

I can understand how deregulation of electric has worked out. In the UK it came to the point that it was cheaper to buy your electricity from the gas company and your gas from the electricity company.

Hopefully you'll get that nice job in Houston and find a nicer apartment that's affordable. Good luck with everything!

All my best, Mark.

[LanternWaste]

40. For better efficiency...

Here's a suggestion for better efficiency...

Rather than shutting off the A/C unit completely during the day when you're away, set it to the low-mid nineties (93-96). When you get home for the evening, then set it to your preferred temp setting.

This way, your A/C unit doesn't have to work as hard to cool the apartment down when you get home. I used to be pretty good pals with an HVAC technician and he told me numerous times that the money you spend keeping your apartment at a reasonably "not hellishly hot" temp during the nine or ten hours when you're gone will be much less than than the money you'd spend on cooling down the apartment to a dramatic degree when you get home.

I've been doing this for about three years now, and it's about 5% less expensive using this tip. Also, keep your place as dark as you can-- heavy drapes on your south and west facing windows.

(I much as I hate to admit it, I had my electricity shut off last month for almost a week until I had the money to pay. You're not alone if it's any consolation-- TX dereg has screwed everyone over...)

[alarimer]

46. It never gets hotter than about 82 in here during the day.

So it wouldn't run anyway if I set it at 90. Unless it's 100 outside. I have asked them to check the a/c to see if it is low on refrigerant. My a/c unit is about 20 years old and needs to be replaced. But they won't do it as long as it works. I could report them to the EPA for allowing a/c leaks because I am pretty sure this one still uses freon and not the new stuff (but I could be wrong). In which case it is illegal and they could be fined. Maybe that would provide some incentive.

[Lorien]

29. The bill sounds about right to me. I live in Florida and my electricty bill

is around $300 a month this time of year for my 3/2 home (old craftsman bungalow). I'm under a canopy of live oaks, otherwise it would be even higher. :-(

[crim son]

19. I empathize.

We got a notice of a lien on the house because we couldn't afford the property taxes. I guess in a way we're lucky because Maine doesn't get that hot, but this winter will be a major bit**. :hug: You'll be okay, alarimer. We are all in this fucking shitty mess together.

[alarimer]

21. It's always something isn't it?

And it isn't ever going to get better (globally speaking).

[crim son]

23. No, I don't think it will get better.

I believe that we will have to change our expectations and plans. I get comfort from the fact that many of us, good people, are dealing with the same issues. If I could afford the damn taxes I'd open my house up to people who needed a place to sleep. Seven fucking bedrooms and no job. It's actually amusing, once you stop taking your aspirations seriously. :hug:

[ThomCat]

24. Damn. :(

You can get an insertable, adjustable window screen so you can open a window. No installation necessary. It fits in the window, you ajust the width, and you close the window down on top of it to make it fit snuggly. If you can get one or two of these then you can at least get some air.

http://www.cyberattic.com/stores/ebsantiques/items/436390/item436390cyberattic.html

:hug:
I'm very sorry that you're going through this. I know a bunch of people who are going to have a very hard time this year with rising costs.

[alarimer]

34. Yes the cost of everything is going way up.

I don't use that much gasoline. I fill up twice a month or so; even though that cost has doubled it hasn't really affected me as much as electricity has. My salary, like most people's, has not kept pace with these costs. We got a 2% raise last year and will probably get another similar raise this year but it isn't enough to keep pace.

[FloridaJudy]

25. I just went back and checked my consumption/payment history

My power/water usage are pretty constant, but my utility bills have gone up by about 50%. So have my medical/dental expenses. At this rate, I'll be able to retire when I'm dead.

Thanks a lot, Repukes. I swear anybody who votes to continue this kleptocracy is bat-shit crazy.

[liberaltrucker]

27. Email address?

DUers would love to help via PayPal.

:hug:

[alarimer]

32. That's okay; i'll manage.

It was just panic at first when I saw the bill. I was not expecting that. I realized though that when I signed up for this company last year, the rate was guaranteed for a year. It must have just expired so they raised the rate. I'd forgotten exactly when that was or I would have switched last month to another company and locked in a rate for another year. Now they are all high so it doesn't matter. If I go to Houston I might have more choices, not to mention a higher salary. I just have to scrape by until September, mostly by raising the temperature in here as high as I can stand it.

[Bullwinkle925]

28. I 2nd MrsGrumpy . . .

if I can help - let me know as well.

take care.

[terrya]

30. I'll echo MrsGrumpy

If you need my help, please let me know.

I'm sorry about your situation.

Terry

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

31. You guys are some of the nicest people I have ever met .

Even though not in person,its good to know that people here stick together.

[alarimer]

33. They really are.

I think I can manage though. Fortunately even with the a/c off, it will only get to about 82 or so in here. So I can turn it off during the day and the cat will be all right. I'll just have to sweat a little more.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

42. Just remember that you are not alone.

:hugs: I have had to learn since I moved out on my own that you can please the Mr.Bill all the time.And when you can't,don't stress out about.Take care of yourself and stay cool.

[mainegreen]

35. 170? Holy fuck! That's 6 months of electricity in Maine.

:wow:

[LibertyLover]

37. I hate our utility company

Maryland deregulated utilities several years ago but they put in a price control deal for a certain number of years. Then a year ago the deal's term ended. And BGE (damned Constellation Energy) immediately kicked the price up almost 100%, with a second hike that took place 6 months later in January and a third to kick in July. The Public Service Commission can't do anything because the company isn't regulated. There is talk in the statehouse to re-regulate, but that won't do anything about the prices now, and everytime they hold hearings, the utility company execs appear wearing sackcloth and ashes and shouting that if they are re-regulated they will not be able to supply utility services. Oh, except that the state did take BGE to court and won a one-time rebate of about $140 per household because of a fee they had been charging, if I remember correctly, that they shouldn't have. I have a pretty modest 4 bedroom house - the bedrooms are small. No huge "media room" (yeah, we have a "media room" - we call it the living room) or 3 acre granite filled gourmet kitchen. But it costs me $300 or so to heat it to 68 degrees in the winter (our Siberian Husky is happy if the greyhounds aren't) and to cool it to roughly 76 degrees in the summer. And that will be going up soon. I am behind right now on my electric bill and have turn-off notice issued for a few days from now. I'll pay some on Monday when I get paid, if I can convince my non-employed husband to not run to the stupid hobby store to some more trains for his set-up.

[NJmaverick]

38. Have you picked up some of the compact florescent lights?

You also might want to get a couple of nice floor fans. The fans use less electricity and can allow you to use your AC less.

[alarimer]

41. I am using CFL in most of my lamps.

But that's a drop in the bucket compared to the a/c unit, which is probably 20 years old. For sure it is not a newer, more efficient model and I think that is the problem.

[NJmaverick]

48. A new high effiecency model could save you 15% on the cost to run it, maybe more

[alarimer]

51. If I owned I would definitely replace it.

But I live in an apartment and they will not replace it until it breaks completely. Maybe I should encourage someone to steal it for the copper? (I'm kidding, sort of).

[bigwillq]

39. That's terrible.

Something really needs to be done about the rising energy costs.

We have a raised ranch, i live with family, and an all-electric house. Our electric bill is over $500 a month. :mad:

[Midlodemocrat]

43. Another DUer echoing Mrs. Grumpy.

[dembotoz]

44. do what you can to fix the screens

locked up apts in summer with no circulation just are not safe

[redqueen]

47. I figured you were in TX.

*sigh*

Glad to see all the offers of help. This place is the best. Liberals are the best. :)

Can't wait to see my bill this month.

[TK421]

49. Something doesn't sound right there....our last bill was $184.00, and this is

a two floor, four-bedroom apartment. We started running the air about a month ago. I would investigate your charges, and I really think you're getting fucked here

[alarimer]

54. Well the usage went up (nearly doubled)

From April (which was sort of cool and I did not use the a/c much at all) to May (this bill covered May 6th yo June 6th). PLUS the rate went up nearly three cents a KWH. The usage was 945 KWH, pretty close to what I used on average last summer, so I don't think it's wrong. The problem is that the a/c might be low on refrigerant so I am having them check it.

[End Of The Road]

52. Take a look at a cheap window fan...

Maybe you've already done this. There are different designs that should work even with a crazy cat. Mine, at least, keeps the air moving in the room, so I don't have to use the A/C during the early part of the day (unless the humidity is really pissing me off!). Homebuilders today seem never to have encountered the words "cross ventilation". The window fan makes up for some of that.

Edited to add: Could you afford a cheap (maybe used?) small-BTU A/C window unit and just cool one room of your apt to live in? It really might be cheaper than trying to keep your entire apt cool with a geriatric central unit.

[Critters2]

53. I can help, if you'd like.

I just helped a couple I don't know get a motel room for the weekend. I can certainly help a DU'er, who I feel like I do know.

Let me know!

[alarimer]

55. I think it will be okay.

I'll move at the end of my lease, one way or another. Hopefully to someplace newer and better insulated.

[Critters2]

57. Okay. But the offer stands, if you decide you need it. nt

[Critters2]

56. Consider getting these screens for your windows,

I had a window in Iowa with no screen that would've been hard to put a storm window in. So, I got a sliding screen. Worked great!