Hello. We have a brand new home which is Energy Star certified with all energy efficient hvac, windows, etc. We just received our first electric bill. It was for the time of March 31 - April 21 -- 21 days, and it said we used 1256 KWh. During that time, no one was living in the house. We visited a couple of times a week and moved some boxes in, but that was it. The only things plugged in were:

Gas furnace, set at 65 degrees (the weather was pretty mild during the time in question)
Sump pump
Dehumidifier
Microwave (never turned on)
Oven (never turned on)
Dishwashwer (never turned on)
Water heater
2-3 light bulbs

We had our refrigerator and washer & dryer delivered on 4/19, just two days before the end of the billing cycle.

Since we only used 990 KWh in the house we are living in for a 30-day period in April, we are wondering how it is possible that our empty house used so much electricity. We assume that something is not right, but the electric company is no help. Any idea what we should be checking and how we can determine what the problem is?

Thank you!

Maybe they didn't actually read the meter. Maybe it was an estimate. Are you set up for budget bill?

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Originally Posted by aidanht

Hello. We have a brand new home which is Energy Star certified with all energy efficient hvac, windows, etc. We just received our first electric bill. It was for the time period of March 31 - April 21 -- 21 days, and it said we used 1256 KWh. During that time, no one was living in the house. We visited a couple of times a week and moved some boxes in, but that was it. The only things plugged in were:

gas furnace, set at 65 degrees (the weather was pretty mild during the time in question)
sump pump
dehumidifier
microwave (never turned on)
oven (never turned on)
dishwashwer (never turned on)
water heater
2-3 light bulbs

We had our refrigerator and washer & dryer delivered on 4/19, just two days before the end of the billing cycle.

Since we only used 990 KWh in the house we are living in for a 30-day period in April, we are wondering how it is possible that our empty house used so much electricity. We assume that something is not right, but the electric company is no help. Any idea what we should be checking and how we can determine what the problem is?

Thank you!!

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That was our first thought, too, but they did read the meter and the number is accurate. Then we thought maybe previous months were estimated and it was just catching up, but the previous month they actually read the meter and the builder was billed for over 3000 kwH.

Why don't you read the meter and then a day later. Then do the math and make that period of hours equal to 21 days. Compare.

You can also look at the meter dial. It should be spinning at a pretty good clip and try to isolate the circuit responsible, if there is one.

Malfunctioning Gutter de-icing systems and freeze protection systems might be occurring.

Something is wrong!

Check the wiring for any strange cords coming off your supply. Someone else might be diverting your juice.