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DocVT67
Mar 18, 2017, 10:53 AM
We have a small cabin 12x20, which averages $20 per month for power.
Last month we were billed $691 for one month's usage. The power company, Green Mtn Power, found no fault with the meter.

Could a surge in the supply line cause the meter to run fast, thereby increasing the
monthly charge?

ma0641
Mar 18, 2017, 11:50 AM
WOW, that's high. It would have to surge a long time! Were they estimating the other bills? what is the cost for a KW? Did you leave a heater on high?

joypulv
Mar 18, 2017, 01:33 PM
Or someone tapped into your line.
Or the Electric co really did screw up and can't be bothered to admit it, or to find the cause.
Do you live there?

I would tell them that you are contesting it (in writing) and why. It sounds like you were paying for the whole street!

DocVT67
Mar 18, 2017, 04:50 PM
Thanks for the reply. KwH cost is .1484 and .433 per day. They were estimating, but this is the actual billed charge.

MA0641: If the power surged could it make the meter spin faster and thus run up the charge?

JOYPULV: The electric company is not user friendly. They sent someone to check the meter, but he said it was okay.
My niece lives, as a guest, in the building. She keeps her electric heater down when she's at work; her dog doesn't mind. I think Green Mtn Power
Screwed up. We will contest the charge in writing.

ma0641
Mar 18, 2017, 05:13 PM
$20 per month for electric heat--cooking? Hot water?? Is exceptionally low, 70 cents a day?? Has been pretty cold up there. Sure heater is on low?

joypulv
Mar 19, 2017, 03:33 AM
A lot may depend on how many readings have been estimated.
I agree that an occupied cabin will use more than $20/mo.
An 800-1200w electric heater averaging 1,000 watts is going to use 24KW a day, 720 a month.
Then there's water in general - My water pump uses a lot of wattage and the hot water heater a lot too.
Electric cooking... microwave....
Is it possible that you had left the place empty past years? Maybe all those $20 months were estimated?
I'd be prepared for this being accurate.
I live alone in CT in a small part of my house, with propane heat, but still spend about 115/mo in winter.