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October 6, 2008
Utility Bill Comparison
Instead of feeding the What on this bleak day, I figured it might be more interesting to start a discussion about utility bills. You got high bills or low bills? How do you even know until you compare stories with other people?
Right now we are one couple living in a 2-family brownstone. We're in the middle of renovations, so we are living in the garden apartment.
Our water bill seems delightfully low: $68 this quarter. But our gas bills seemed high this summer: around $150 a month for two people. I can't tell how much money I am spending on electricity, because Con Edison is ridiculous. I overpay every single month because I can't remember to phone in my meter numbers.
What are your utility bills like? How did you lower your utility bills? Anyone else think my gas bill is outrageous?
Comments
You guys sounds like you are in the same situation as us!
Call in your con ed bill, it is pretty quick. THey had been estimating out bill for almost a year and they couldn't believe how much lower our actual reading was, I don't think we have made a payment in thre months becasue we had over paid by so much....
The gas bill does seem high. I am assuming that you have a gas stove and a gas powered water heater, it shouldn't be that high for a month....
Posted by: PHfamily at October 6, 2008 2:44 PM
I'm lovin' my gas bill with my new mod-con boiler and indirect water heater!
Thirty bucks!
And we cook every night.
Posted by: denton at October 6, 2008 3:07 PM
Denton,
We just installed this very system, but we are using our older boiler--I'm so happy that your bill is $30!
Here's what we've got:
1. the old boiler, hooked up to a new indirect water heater/radiant floor heat system (haven't had a chance to really run the heat yet)
2. gas stove
3. an old dryer that came with the house that costs $30 a month to run (it was the only thing on a meter for awhile)
PHFamily, I can never remember to catch Con Ed in the three day window! What's your secret with this?
Posted by: vanburenproud at October 6, 2008 3:12 PM
If the $75 is for a two month gas bill, I think it's about right for when your heat is off.
Posted by: Bob Marvin at October 6, 2008 3:17 PM
I think that National Grid is now billing monthly. My gas bill was 57.09 last month and 53.78 this month which is a little lower than for this same period last year. Con Ed seems to have gone up though when compared to the same months on my last years bills.
Posted by: Chaka at October 6, 2008 3:28 PM
Oh yeah, forgot to mention that we have a gas drier. It's a new Bosch, so hopefully it's more efficient than older models. Also there's only two of us.
Posted by: denton at October 6, 2008 3:33 PM
Con Ed! Don't get me started. Each year for the last several years I have reduced consumption and paid more.
Each time they electrocute a person or a dog, or when they are found to be responsible for a blackout, our rates go up to pay for the lawsuits!!
Posted by: SenatorStreet at October 6, 2008 3:38 PM
Great thread topic Vanburen. Thanks. As I am just joining the wild and wooly world of home ownership I am anxious to figure out what my monthly expenses are going to be. I will study all of your answers and then post my own when I know.
Don't feed the What!
Posted by: wasder at October 6, 2008 4:00 PM
Past rate comparisons from around these parts ...
Water/Sewer:
http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2008/09/watersewer_bill.php
Gas Heat:
http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2007/12/replace_the_boi.php
http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2008/07/oil_to_gas_conv_4.php
http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2008/01/heating_costs_s.php
http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2008/01/pricecheck_on_g.php
Oil Heat:
http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2008/04/oil_bills_this.php
It'd be kind of nice to structure this a little, create a database of square footage, oil v. gas and what you're paying. Because it is useful, not just to know if you're paying more than others but to budget when you're trying to sort out what you can afford, housewise.
Posted by: serpentor at October 6, 2008 5:28 PM
I'm getting $150.00 gas bills, too. In the dead of winter my gas bill used to be $250.00 a month. What the heck is up with National grid?
Posted by: dt at October 6, 2008 5:56 PM
Make sure you send in your readings! My estimates are usually around $30 more per month than the actuals.
Posted by: 7andfive at October 6, 2008 11:10 PM
Hi,
what is a mod-con boiler and indirect water heater?
thanks
Posted by: brooklynjennie at October 7, 2008 10:17 AM
BJennie, a modulating condensing boiler is the most efficient boiler out there. Modulating means instead of just firing on and off it can 'modulate' the flame from high to low as needed. Indirect water heater, instead of firing via gas or electric, works with the boiler. Basically it acts as a storage tank only, and the boiler works with it to provide hot water as needed.
I'm sure these are incomplete explanations, but now you have the correct terminology so Google is your friend!
Posted by: denton at October 7, 2008 5:34 PM
How much did your boiler cost, Denton?
I think a square footage comparison chart would be great, but there are so many variables that it might not be the best way to get at the information. Plus, you also get anecdotes about how people save water.
After reading the link above to water/sewer... it sounds like we are doing really well on the water front. This makes me feel good.
I blame my brand new toto 1.28/gal toilet. The thing could flush a brick!
Posted by: vanburenproud at October 7, 2008 8:23 PM
I'm having all kinds of problems with National Grid since I moved in January. Crazy bills when no actual meter reading had taken place in years, bills fluctuating wildly from month to month although actual use did not change, outside meter reading double the inside meters, bizarre accounting when National Grid attempted to adjust the bills. I cannot believe the company can legally bill people if they are not doing meter readings. It boggles my mind. This is in Brooklyn.
Posted by: mopar at October 8, 2008 5:40 PM
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