November 18, 2009

Utilities & Credit Checks

Move in date in a couple days. Calling the utility guys tonight but I wanted to know if ConEdison and NationalGrid perform hard credit inquiries?

Thanks.

October 27, 2009

Gas Leak

I had an energy audit done yesterday and as part of that they have to check boiler, gas lines, stove, etc for CO, incomplete combustion, and gas leaks. They found two small gas leaks, one at the main shutoff valve, and one at a joint. Both of these are before the meter.

If you put your nose right up to the main valve, you can smell it a bit, the other you can't smell at all. There is no smell at all in the enclosed room where these leaks are so they are tiny. For all I know they've been leaking for twenty years.

I know I should call NG and get them taken care of but I'm worried about my service being shut off for some amount of time. Anyone have experience with a similar situation?

October 16, 2009

ConEd newbie bill question

I saw a similar post on this topic but it didn't quite address my question - so here goes:

I just moved to Park Slope from MN last month and received our first ConEd bill. We live in a smaller 1BR studio and my jaw hit the floor when I opened up and read the bill was for $129.13. OUCH. $32 was from our last bill which is fine. But $100 for one month of electricity seems a bit ridiculos to me. We're very conscientious of turning lights off and things like that. Before calling them to ask about it I'd like to get some input from people on the user end who may have experienced the same issue/concern.

Here's the breakdown of the bill for this month:

Previous month's charges = $31.72.

Supply charges = $39.13. That's fine... I understand that part. Now onto the good stuff:

Delivery Charges = $50.91 (Basic service charge: $14.65 + Delivery 356 kWh @8.88624¢/kWh $31.55)

Can someone explain in plain English what the delivery charge is all about - am I going to be paying this extra $45 every month? Does that seem wrong or is this one of those many "Welcome to NY!" surprises?

ConEdison & two meter building

Here's one for folks. We have a two family brownstone which has a seperate meter for the rental floor. With our current tennant moving out I have transferred the bill into my name. Con Edison now deem this a commercial bill and charge a higher rate. I challenged them on this that it was all the same building but thems the rules allegedly. The weird thing is, if I were to convert to a single meter for the house the bill would all be back to residential rate. The rate would also change back to residential when and if it's moved back to a new tennant. Struck me as very odd but perhaps others have encountered this ? Either way it just seems like a rip off.

October 12, 2009

Help with Lease Clarification

There is a line on my new lease that I need some clarification on:

"Tenant must pay for all electric, gas, telephone, water, sewerage and other utility services used in the apartment and arranged for them with the public utility company"

I am fine with the electricity and gas part because I know we have our own separate meters. If there is only 1 water meter for both tenants must the landlord then cover the water bill? Secondly, is there a separate bill for sewerage? If so how much is that monthly?

Thanks.

October 8, 2009

Utility Plans

An elderly neighbor of mine is considering signing on for Nat'l Grid's Premier Heating Plan which costs about $250 a year. Does anyone have experience with it?
Thanks.

September 21, 2009

Conned by Con Edison?

I live in a tiny, Jr 1BR (read: glorified alcove studio) in Prospect Heights and I'm getting ridiculous bills from Con Edison and National Grid. Seriously, how does boiling water once a week translate into $123 worth of cooking gas in 2 months? I've talked to my absentee landlady, who gets slapped with ridiculous bills every so often as well, but she doesn't know what to do about it either. Some woman came in to read the meter months ago, but that hasn't helped. I've called both Con Edison and National Grid about this but they were (perhaps unsurprisingly) unhelpful. Would anyone be able to give me some advice?

September 17, 2009

Utilities Bill

A friend of mine is moving out of her apartment. It's a pretty big 1BR apartment with backyard access. The rent is 1100 (heat, gas, electric not included). How much should I expect to pay for each? (obviously its going to depend on my usage) But whats reasonable for a 1 BR so I can consider for my budget.

September 16, 2009

ESCOs: U.S. Energy Savings

Hello neighbors! A representative from US Energy Savings came around this evening asking to look at my utility bills (2 family home) and stating that they can offer fixed rates and lower to no sales taxes on my electric and natural gas bills. I'm wondering if this is a scam, the rates were lower than what I'm currently paying. Any advice? I'm seeing mixed information when googling for testimonials/reviews. Thanks for your advice, I know I'll get the straight answers here!

September 2, 2009

Garden Apt. Safety Hazards?

Hi - I'm considering making an offer on a newly constructed parlor and garden/basement level duplex in a 4 unit building. The bedrooms would be on the garden level and they would be on the other side of the wall from the boiler room, elevator machine room, electrical meters and gas meters for the entire building. Is this typical for all garden level apartments and does it pose a safety hazard? Also should I be worried about flooding in the garden level? The floors are concrete.

Forum: Utilities