Question about energy usage
 

I have been away from home for two SECO billing periods, just 2 days difference between first and second month. For the first month SECO shows usage of 441 kwh, for the second 980 kwh, MORE THAN TWICE the usage. I have had them reread the meter and they say the reading is correct and all looks fine with the meter. Has anyone had the same experience and/or has an explanation? Please note, I am not arguing about increased rates, only about unexplained usage.

What is your A/C setting and the outside temperature, we have had some very hot days recently. I just got my bill and SECO has some online tools that may help you find answers look at the recent bill insert. BTW June and July bills were about 50% higher than previous months.

My usage increased about 500kwh from May into June. This has to be due to higher temperatures leading to the AC running more. If those were the two months you were away then that might be the reason for your increase too.

Its been hotter than normal, so your usage will be much higher than previous months.

Duke has an option to look at your daily usage for some customers. Maybe SECO has the option and you can see what happened on the hot days.

It’s most likely the heat. July, August, (hottest months), and January ( heating our pool during the coldest month) are always the highest energy usage months.

Same experience with SECO. June used around 900, July is 1900, we left July 6 and set the thermostat at 80. Doesn’t make sense. July 2021 bill was $64, July 2022 bill was $300.:mad:

My May bill was for 30 days and my June bill was for 34 days. That’s cause for 13% of the increase and the rest of the difference was weather related.

80 degrees
 

I would make sure to watch your ecobee and have an alarm setting to let you know if the humidity goes over 70% that's when things start to happen inside. We've had to reduce the temperature inside during the day to maintain the maximum 70% humidity. And this will probably increase your electricity by more.

I have an ecobee and it seems to be running all the time. I try to keep the humidity at 63 64% last night I turned off the air conditioner at 8:00 p.m. and the house stayed at 78 all night. Maybe if you see the temperature dropping at night to 75 or below, it might be a chance to turn off the air conditioner. If I don't turn off the air conditioner it runs all night every half hour or so. Also my bills have been twice as much in June and July

No question June was hotter, couple extra days add on… I would also add that SECO adjusted their “PCA Hotbucks” or discount based on natural gas prices significantly in my read of the bill. I understand you’re not arguing the bill however.

I had a solar install so I see usage daily (really 15 min increments) - the only other possibility could be your AC if it’s old or potentially low on refrigerant - it may be working harder or longer than needed. Ours froze up in June due to being low and having a slow refrigerant leak. The difference in usage was immediate and significant.

I could be off here - just my two cents/thoughts.

Respectfully, DB

Mine is higher too.
My neighbors was read incorrectly.
So I am going to challenge them

Have you tried reading the meter yourself? Mine has an LCD display showing a number. I compare that against my last bill to see whether it looks reasonable.

Mine was read incorrectly one time - a "5" was misread as a "6" resulting in an unreasonably high usage number. I read my meter myself and easily determined what had happened. In my case I decided not to do anything about it and just let it catch up on the next bill. Sure enough, the reading the next month was correct and the bill showed an unexpectedly low usage.

June to July we were only $50 difference, by physical inspection it apears it won't be much different this next bill. we only used about 300kwh additional. I do not anticipate any surprises in 9 days with the august bill.

It seems very strange that your house humidity is 64 percent at a temperature of 78 degrees. I maintain my house at 78 degrees all the time, and my humidity stays at around 45 percent. I don't use any humidity control system. You may want to purchase a temperature and humidity monitor at Home Depot or Lowes for about 12 dollars to double check the humidity in your house. It it is still at 64 percent, I think something is wrong.