Anyone see their Dec Utility Bill yet?

[Nictuku]

My jaw is still on the floor. Last month my PGE bill (for an all electric household, we don't have gas).....
The billing cycle is about a month behind current use.
Bill paid end of Oct: $204
Bill paid end of Nov $243

BILL PAID END OF DEC: $565.00 !!!!!!

We do everything we can do to conserve. We don't have the heat on over night. We turn it off between 4pm and 9pm. My mom is 84, and while I can put more and more layers on (my rooms are downstairs and colder, our mini split heater is upstairs for mom).

So, I have to get my mom to use the electric throw I got her as much as she can during the day and limit how much we use the heat. I'm really scared what the next bill is going to be, given how cold it has been and now much mom has been using the heater. I'm going to have to retrain her. I had to further diminish my quickly disappearing savings just to pay all the bills this month. This is not sustainable. I've stopped using the ceramic wall heaters for downstairs. It is cold, but I have layers.

I'm still in shock over the bill. I'm scared of what the next bill for January is going to be, and then there is Feb. After that it should start warming up some. Even though summers are very hot here, we don't use the AC on the mini split in summer, instead, I installed a huge Swamp Cooler which seems to do the trick (costs a lot less than the AC).

What a state our society is coming to. Can't afford to stay warm. Can't afford to get all the groceries we used to. Both mom and I are on fixed incomes and there is not a lot of flexibility.

/rant off (I needed to get that shock off my chest)

[newdeal2]

1. Are we great yet?

Sorry to hear. That is a shocking price increase. Can you call a rep to see if there’s anything they can do?

[Greg_In_SF]

17. California regulators

raised rates four times last year.

And, of course, Californians pay about $2.00 more for every gallon of gas than the rest of use. Ridiculous, but that's California.

[Greg_In_SF]

2. The Average PG&E Utility Bill Has Gone Up

Nearly 70% Since 2020.

https://www.kqed.org/news/12033386/pge-electricity-rates-have-jumped-nearly-70-since-2020

[ToxMarz]

9. But all tha MAGAts can see is the price of gas and everything is fine. No inflation

I don't believe the price of gas is not being manipulated by the oil companies and the middle east at least to appease Trump and get him to do things like, oh I don't know, INVADE VENEZULA, pardon international criminals, deregulate crypto, crash the dollar? They can get more on the back end than they are giving up on the front end. Plus they know he will go after them if they don't just like he's done the law firms, universities, etc. It's one way he can manipulate the inflation numbers down with relatively few entities to coerce, and they are already friendly entities.

[mtngirl47]

37. I agree with you....Fuel prices have been unusually stable

Since Trump took office this time. There have been world events and weather events that usually would have made the fuel prices fluctuate upwards by $1 or $2 dollars.

When they went to his house in Florida when he was running for office he offered them whatever they wanted in exchange for $1 Billion to aid his campaign. https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/09/trump-asks-oil-executives-campaign-finance-00157131

My theory is that some kind of deal was struck for the oil companies to keep prices low to aid his agenda, and we don't know about the off-shore accounts that trump has for all his bribes.

[Skittles]

3. ridiculous

the affordability issue ain't no hoax

do you and your mum have electric throws? I have reduced my winter bills using one of those

[Nictuku]

6. Yes

I primarily use my electric blanket on my bed to stay warm when I watch TV or are on the computer (like right now). I bought my mom a new electric throw for when she is in the living room upstairs doing the same.

We only got the mini split this last year, so this is the first winter with it. My HVAC died a couple of years ago (actually just needed freeon - that is illegal to buy now, so I just let it die and went with the swamp cooler (cost around 1.5 K to buy/install), and then the Mini Split.. A Good Neighbor helped us get it and install it with my cousin. That also cost around 1.5K - But a New HVAC system would have been something like $30-40K, and that isn't even including the utility bills) The HVAC cost way too much to run anyway.

We have been pretty happy with the Mini Split since we got it. We just have to use it less. Maybe have it on for an hour or so when she first gets up. Just not turn on every morning until 4 pm. That will break the bank. She is conscious of the struggle with the bills (I haven't heard her turn it on yet today). It is about 62 degrees up there right now (52 outside), and we have pretty good insulation on the roof now (that was last years big project, new roof).

That is what broke the bank for me I think, I used up all my 'buffer' money for the roof. But at least it stays cooler and warmer up there as the seasons pass. So much better with this new steel roof with insulation under it. I live in a high fire possibility zone, so another reason why I went with the Steel roof. With the help of my cousin (and his son), the roof cost around $16 K (which is very inexpensive, especially for the area I live in - Napa CA).

My end goal is to get solar on the roof, but before I can even think of that, we had to put a new roof. Now I don't know if I will be able to afford Solar. Maybe by the time I can, we will have a better administration that gives tax credits for this again. I think the current admin has cancelled all these types of credits.

Sorry for rambling. This is all pretty boring stuff, but it sure does affect me, especially in my wallet.

[NNadir]

4. Where are you located if I may ask?

[Nictuku]

11. Napa, California

Not in the town, we are closer to Lake Berryessa but are still considered to be in Napa.

That is the up side. It is very beautiful here, and now that I'm retired I can actually enjoy it. Every day I see deer, turkeys, and all kinds of wild life.

I use to be gone to work/commute for 13 hours a day. All I had time for when I got home was a cocktail, dinner, then bed and up again at 4 am to get to San Francisco by 6. I can't believe I did that for 10 years.

But I did it for my mom. She wanted to be close to my cousin, so that is why I bought a house here, so she could come back to Calif (from Tennessee). My cousin helped her move out here. So glad we did that, and I bought the house at a good time to buy a house (2010), but I still miss Mill Valley. I prefer Redwoods to Oaks. Oh well. Mom is here, healthy, and I'm able to take care of her. That is what is important.

[NNadir]

31. You have the highest electricity prices in the 48 contiguous United States.

Only Hawaii has higher prices.

I cover the reasons why over in the E&E forum.

My explanation for these high costs tends not to generate much applause here, but it is connected, regrettably with a mythology which though I hate to say it, originated on our end of the political spectrum.

The reason is connected with the reason that the highest electricity prices in Europe are those of Germany.

California, about which I've written quite a bit in this space, as I lived there for over a decade on and off, in connection with energy, environmental (climate) and water issues, because of its geological features, could easily be an energy, water, and clean energy nirvana, but not on the course it's been following in recent decades.

It's current process is not only expensive, and unnecessarily dirty, as it's dependent on dangerous natural gas, but it is unsustainable and frankly, dangerous, since many of the horrible fires have been connected with the overly large network of powerlines. It is tragic in my view that such a beautiful place has been so trashed for energy fantasies.

I will confess that when I last lived in California more than thirty years ago I advocated for the system I now deplore, but as Willie the Shake put it in the mouth of Lady Macbeth, "What's done cannot be undone "

I'm very sorry for your situation. You have my sympathy.

[Nictuku]

33. I miss Hawaii

I grew up on Oahu, then Maui, then mom moved to Kauai. Then Hurricane Iwa drove my mom from the islands and she went to Memphis to take care of her mother.

Sure would love to go snorkeling in Hanama Bay right about now.

Figures that we would choose to live in the highest cost of living areas. But I wouldn't change my childhood for anything.

[BeneteauBum]

5. Glad I'm off the grid

I live minimally and strictly on solar. That said, I enjoy the warmer climes of the Florida Keys, however, it can be brutally hot in the summer without AC.

Peace ☮️

[Ksout]

8. AI costs

Corporations and not homewoners are going to have to foot the bill for this power hungry enterprise

[Nictuku]

13. The public needs to start making noise about this

They get all the benefits, yet we have to pay for it. It is not only AI, but Bitcoin mining. It drives the cost up for the public. The companies using all the energy to make $ should foot the bill, not us!

[Volaris]

24. Agreed, if facebook needs its own powerplant, then

Facebook can build it themselves. Oh, you think that fucker will burn TrumpCoal, when wind and sunshine is FREE?

[markie]

7. oh that's rough

I got rid of all gas 2 years ago, all electric.... although I just, a month ago put in a heat pump and I have solar panels in front yard.... seems Vermont is going to be a cold one this winter so we shall see... (fortunately, my house is tiny, tiny)

[moniss]

10. Please tell us the kwh numbers

because there may be some things there to look at. If you have a sudden huge spike in kwh usage in an all electric household you could have a malfunctioning water heater, clothes dryer, refrigerator etc. A malfunctioning electric water heater once shot my kwh usage up substantially.

[Nictuku]

20. PGE Bills make me think I'm not very intelligent

I can barely understand the PGE bill. There are delivery charges and then I'm on this MCE Generation thing, and I received a notice that in March PGE is changing their billing (I doubt it will be more understandable)

When comparing, the bill this year was only $46 higher than last year, which is bizarre because we burned a lot of firewood to keep the upstairs warmer (again, thanks to my wonderful cousin who brought us wood). But I had the ceramic wall heaters on 24/7 downstairs and mom has one in her room too. They add up I guess.

This is what I found on the bill (I don't even know what this means to be honest)
Total Usage
1,295 kWh

Last yea same billing period:
1,190 kWh

I just get more confused when I look at these bills. Last year Dec was about $46 less than this year same time. I don't understand it because like I said, we did use a lot of firewood to heat the upstairs. It makes me think that the billing doesn't actually have anything to do with how much you use, they seem to estimate based on how many rooms, how many people, what kind of water heater, etc. It would take a lot to convince me that it is not a racket.

In the last couple of years, we did replace an old frige with a new one, and we also replaced old washer/dryer with new ones too. Oh, and again, when our water heater started leaking my cousin replaced that with a new one, that was a couple of years ago.

In writing all this, it makes me appreciate my cousin all the more.

So, we had no power for 2 days in last billing cycle, and it did include 1 more day in cycle than last year. I can't remember if we had power outages for same billing period last year. It happens a lot up here. Again, thanks to my cousin who gave us this little Honda generator that gets us through (no heat, but at least we have the fridges and internet/tv during the outages)

[moniss]

40. Your usage seems pretty close to last year

and so I don't think there is an appliance "bug" happening. It could be that these other fees you mention are hiking the bill so much. Does PG&E have any sort of program where they will go over your specific things you have for heating etc. and offer suggestions about ways to reduce usage? Some utility companies around the country are pretty good about this especially for seniors.

[Nictuku]

42. I was looking at that today

It seemed so invasive. Another way to gather data on me. It kind of gave me the creeps, so for now I just clicked away (vs answering a ton of questions)

I tried doing the average out plan, and didn't like it because it seemed like there is no way to even check usage.

But now that I'm the age I am, I might be able to get a better plan due to being a senior.

[moniss]

45. Good luck and things like utility bills

would be an area where we could make efforts at the state level of government to have a reduced pricing for seniors.

[mopinko]

12. i cant rec rooftop solar enough.

i have it on my house, and i put in more than i use. used to get bills of about $200/mo. now all i get is the ‘delivery’ charge, which is less than $20/mo.
also have it on my 2flat, that is all elec. unless it rly hot or rly cold, it’s the same. i get 3-4 actual bills a yr.
lucky enough to pay cash for mine, but there is NOWHERE i cd have put that money that wd have given me that kind of roi.

[Nictuku]

23. It is my dream to get Solar

Ever since I bought this house. We have a Hot Tub that we can't afford to make Hot. It probably doesn't even work any more. If we had solar, I bet I could afford to keep it hot.

[Sympthsical]

32. Solar has saved us quite a bit

I'm your neighbor (Green Valley), and we got solar a few years back. Now in winter, we just use little space heaters in whatever room we happen to be using (bedroom, my home office, etc). And if we're in the living room, just pile on the blankets.

In the summer, we open all the windows at night when it's cool, then seal the house up during the day. It generally works 90% of the time to keep things perfectly bearable without turning on the AC.

But still, PG&E is completely out of control. We try to use gas as little as possible. Our water heater went kaput last month, so we used it as an opportunity to put in an electric tankless one. The only gas we use now is the stove, and we use it only seldomly.

Our neighbor behind us is insane. It feels like his roof is just mostly solar panels. He also has a hot tub and assorted other things. His yard is like a mini golf course or something. Hot tub, fountains, lights, etc. I'm pretty sure, when nuclear winter comes, it'll be cockroaches and this guy.

[mopinko]

41. try to figure out how to get it.

if u have to borrow the money, you’ll likely have payments lower than that. and they’ll b predictable.

[Nictuku]

43. I have a plan, it just will take some time

The first step was getting a new roof, and I can check that checkbox.

[mopinko]

44. yeah, i had to spend some money on my roof 1st, too.

[Javaman]

14. it's times like this I'm glad I invested in solar panels 15 years ago...

not trying to rub it in at all. It's just very few times in my life I have ever been ahead of the curve.

[womanofthehills]

28. Me too - I've had solar panels for 25 years

Also I pump up my well water with two panels into a holding tank.

My boyfriend and I build my house here in NM where the sun always shines and made the whole south side (2 floors) basically windows. So if the sun is out my house is so warm from the passive heat from the sun. Putting in more south windows can help lower bills. Most days I need no extra heat until later in the night - just use a few portable heaters. I have a propane wall heater but I’ve only used it 3 days so far because this is a warmer winter in NM.

[Javaman]

46. sounds like an earth ship design. that's very cool. :) nt

[CTyankee]

15. We sold our house and have moved into an apartment in a retirement community high rise building. It's just cheaper

overall as it is a shared cost. Now I don't really have to cook so much as we have a nice dining room and a meal plan all put in place. It gives us peace of mind, keeps us warm and fed and provides some socialization. I'm glad I wound up here now that we are in our 80s.

[Ray Bruns]

16. Yes but we kidnapped Maduro. That's not making your electric bill go down?

[maliaSmith]

18. California voter here

I switched to solar, (free installation and low monthly bill) and my PGE bill is so much lower. I don't know how large your home is or if you live in California, but I love living here. Gas is more costly, however there are some gas stations that charge less than others. I only fill up once a month. I use my woodburning stove for heat and buy one cord of wood a year for 400. If I get cold, I wear leggings, a cashmere sweater and a sweatshirt on top. I don't feel sorry for the people who live in the real cold areas of the US who voted for Trump. You voted for it and you voted to mess up our health care. FAFO.

[txwhitedove]

19. Bill to pay now is $56.00. Buying new windows in 2025 made a big improvement in power use

and sound proofing. My house is 1480 sq ft, total electric, and I've worked to make it energy efficient with as little use of plug ins as possible.

[Vinca]

21. Our electric bill was $80 more than it was at the same time last year with similar usage. It's nuts.

[Farmer-Rick]

22. It's called surge pricing

It may have nothing to do with how much electricity you use. Corporatized electrical utilities have convinced local oversight boards to allow for special surge pricing. A kin to price gouging, it allows the utility corporation to increase the kwh price when there is an increase in demand.

So, just when you need heat or AC the most it will cost you the most to use it. The Corps sell it to local boards by claiming it makes people conserve energy more and to use it in off hours. But when it's cold out you don't get a choice to wait untill it warms up to use your electric heater.

It's just another scam that's easy to pull off for Corps because most electric grids are not integrated to draw electricity from cheaper sources or from another state. So, they have a local monopoly. Just what happens when you privatize the commons.

I found this out when in winter months my electric bill doubled. I tried everything to bring down my electricity use. But it seems that no matter what I did, come December my electric bills double.....all the time.

When I called the electric company asking if they knew what I could do to lower my costs, they said I wasn't using anymore electricity and than the last 2 previous months. It's just that I fell into a higher pricing schedule. Like it was a cliff I missed. Which made no sense. So, I started researching it.

[Nictuku]

25. THIS

I'm with you 100%. I think it is all a racket.

[ms liberty]

26. I pay a solar panel bill instead.

[stage left]

27. 395 dollars for December

in South Carolina

[Tree Lady]

29. My bill went up because of Christmas lights

I don’t do a lot but around rim of house and tree inside.

My bill stays low rest of the winter because I spend my heating money on buying a few cords of wood. We have a new eco wood stove that heats 1/2 the house and I live in that part all winter, if I need to be in my office during the day I use small plug in heater for short time.

The price actually comes out even if I used heater vs fire but I love sitting by cozy fire and reading in the winter.

Our electric company raised the rates 25% last year so it is higher every month. Use to be during spring and fall when I didn’t use heat or air I could get bill under $100. Not anymore.

[llmart]

30. This is not about my utility bill but...

AT&T just raised my internet rates from $46 a month to over $101. Needless to say I'm pissed to high heaven. I was having so much trouble with my internet cutting in and out about a year ago, so they told me I needed an extender which they sent me and there's an additional charge for that. Why I needed an extender after being with them for 10 years and it working perfectly is beyond me. Nothing had changed in my usage or life or placement of my gateway. I live alone, have a desktop and smart TV. Nothing else. There are only two companies in my area who have the monopoly on internet - AT&T and Exfinity. Both are awful.

There's very little recourse these days since regulation flew out the window with today's GOP.

[Lovie777]

34. Cancer patient's healthcare insurance.....

went up 900%. Food prices are still high. I pay over $4.00 a gallon for gas. Utility prices each month keeps going up, my credit bills per month steadily going up. And the Republicans in Congress ain’t doing squat except for kissing shithole’s arse.

Los Angeles.

[Codifer]

35. PG&E was found

For causing a massive fire. Cost was in the billions..
Somebody got to pay
Not them.

[Nictuku]

39. Yep.

Exactly.

[BradBo]

36. This and med insurance is starting to hit hard.

The countrys gonna go nuts. Thats what Trump is waiting for. Civil unrest to stop the midterms.

[flashman13]

38. Greatest country in the world? No American should have to scrimp to stay warm and fed.

We were at the bottom of the developed world in all aspects of the good life before the coming of Trump. We are well on our way to third world status.

[Abolishinist]

47. The New York Jets!

&sttick=0

[flashman13]

48. It could be again. A great clip. Thanks