LIPA

I literally don't know what to do. DD and I live alone..I keep like maybe 1 light on for a few hours a day, I work and 3 days she is in daycare 2 days my parents watch her here..limited electricity used.

Every month it is still close to $200! When they do estimated billing it is closer to $300!! I know I can read the meter, that is my next step, but I don't know what I am doing wrong. My DD's babysitter who runs a daycare out of her home 12 hours a day right down the street and uses tons tons of electricity has cheaper bills than me.

*** can I do?? I literally have NO extra money to give LIPA and feel like I am going to have to resort to candles!!

P.S. I also unplug chargers when they are done b/c I know this can use up electricity but don't know any other tips.

Re: LIPA

You can have them come to your home and do an energy audit. They will look around and tell you what you can do to lower your bill and what things are sucking up electricity.

Re: LIPA

Do you have electric heat by any chance?

Re: LIPA

I found this too:
http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/

and this:
10 Biggest Energy Users
This equipment typically uses the most energy and offers the greatest savings potential when you're considering replacing standard equipment with equipment that is energy-efficient.

Motors
Electric Heat
Electric Hot Water
Air conditioning
Lighting
Refrigeration
Freezers
Exhaust Ventilation
Supply Ventilation
Electric Ovens

LIPA's 66 ways to save Electric


http://www.lipower.org/residential/efficiency/tips/66ways.html

Message edited 11/29/2010 11:18:58 PM.

Re: LIPA

Posted by karanthony

I literally don't know what to do. DD and I live alone..I keep like maybe 1 light on for a few hours a day, I work and 3 days she is in daycare 2 days my parents watch her here..limited electricity used.

Every month it is still close to $200! When they do estimated billing it is closer to $300!! I know I can read the meter, that is my next step, but I don't know what I am doing wrong. My DD's babysitter who runs a daycare out of her home 12 hours a day right down the street and uses tons tons of electricity has cheaper bills than me.

*** can I do?? I literally have NO extra money to give LIPA and feel like I am going to have to resort to candles!!

P.S. I also unplug chargers when they are done b/c I know this can use up electricity but don't know any other tips.

Re: LIPA

I have a 3 bedroom raised ranch with gas heat/stove. New appliances, new CAC. No pool. We are 2 adults and 2 kids(9 and 2). Our LIPA bill just went up(balanced billing) to $272.

Re: LIPA

Re: LIPA

my balanced billing is $147/mo. We are not home most of the day but we have all of the usual appliances and when we are home we light up the joint.

I have a 4 bedroom 2 bath home.

I think something is wrong with your billing.

Do you have an old fridge? That could be a huge energy suck.

Re: LIPA

$200 per month seems high to me!
My last bill was $250 for 2 months and I am home all day with 3 kids. My TV is on all day long, computer on etc. I am careful about extra lights and turning things off when I am not using them but still....your bill seems really high to me.

Re: LIPA

Sounds like something is seriously wrong.

Unplug EVERYTHING in your house. Check the meter to see if it is running.

Then one by one, start plugging things in, and after plugging in each major appliance, check the meter to see how fast it is going. You'll see what is drawing the most current.

Re: LIPA

Do you have an electric hot water heater? They use a ton of electric.

Re: LIPA

My LIPA bill jumped by $100 for balanced billing. I am now paying $296/mo. I have to call them also because I am paying a ridiculous amount.

I have a pretty big house but never have lights on. I get a ton of natural light in my back room. The only thing I can think of is it is still balancing out for the AC over the summer, plus the washer, dryer, stove, dishwashers, etc.