Oklahomagirl
Noble,#2Consumer Suggestion
Mon, October 20, 2008
You also need to have the apartment complex contact an electrician to have them test the wiring and the appliances. Sometimes appliances pull more electricity than they need. Unfortunally when this happenes the electric companies in the state of Texas will not put a credit on the account, they would refer you to take it up with the apartment complex. The reason for this is because if there is a malfunction with the appliance which causes the appliance to pull to much electricty, the electricy is used so you are responsible for the usage. :( Sucks I know but I have seen apartment complex's give the credit back to the consumer. Also Im curious to know what your temp is set at in your house. Most electric companies recommend to have it set between 79 and 82. I know that sounds high, but I know how hot it gets in Houston and if its 100 out side you figure there is a 20 degree difference. For every degree your temp is set at below 79 this raises your electric bill 9% (of course this is an average, and Texas has VERY high electric rates). (No thanks to de-regulation). Also I have seen apartment complex's have the outside lights hooked to tennants meters, this may also be a problem. But DEFINTALLY have the apartment look at everything. :)
Alan
Kansas City,#3Consumer Suggestion
Tue, September 09, 2008
You may want to start with the apartment maintenance people... most apartment complexes have a lot of phantom loads.. hall lighting, street and parking lot lighting are ect. are hooked to one or more apartments, so the complex does not have to pay to run them. I have seen one unit that was running the swimming pool, and had been for years.. you could be supplying power for things you never thought of.. You can also start at the braker box in the apartment, have some one watch the meter and start tripping off the brakers, if you turn them all off and the meter is still turning, your feeding something out side your unit.. then you need to contact the power company and have them find out what your paying for that you should not be billed for...