Submitted by [deleted] t3_10yfhwh in ColumbiaMD
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[deleted] OP t1_j7xw3hr wrote
[deleted]
Sleep_on_Fire t1_j7xwswz wrote
You should be able to ask BG&E for the usage history for the last 12 months. Not super helpful if the place was empty. But it could help give you an idea of the efficiency of the place.
I bet you have water and heat using gas as well. If you were using $400+ in gas for just a stove and oven, you'd have to be heating the place with it.
Something isn't right here. You're right. Time to dig. Read into your lease as well.
baltikorean t1_j7z82i2 wrote
I bought my house last Fall and BGE would not provide the true usage over the past 12 months, just the average utility bill amount.
BeatNutz57 t1_j7y1eib wrote
There's an active thread on Nextdoor where everyone in Columbia is complaining that their BGE bills have doubled or even tripled this year, so it's not just you. Luckily, mine only jumped from $54 to $74 so far.
https://nextdoor.com/p/Y_YwXGFLKW38/c/897151711?init_source=notification_center
ravens40 t1_j7yn6pb wrote
That thread is crazy! Someone said their bill was $1000 and that’s for a townhouse. 😱
FightTomorrow t1_j7z1m15 wrote
Last month my BGE was around $500. That one week cold snap did a number on my old house
ravens40 t1_j7z1qp8 wrote
Thank goodness (besides that stretch) we have had a mild winter so far!
Affectionate-Long-20 t1_j82qjsc wrote
My bill is usually $180ish, it was $350 for the same billing period as yours. It sucks.
sinofmercy t1_j81ck7d wrote
Yeah my bill went from 120 or so a month to 230 or so. For a townhouse. Sucks.
Super_Bag_2403 t1_j7xumnb wrote
70-72? Where did you move from? Florida? Turn it down and put on a warm layer.
corranhorn6565 t1_j7zgws9 wrote
I keep our house around 67 at the thermostat. Routinely that's 64 elsewhere. Hat, sweatpants and sweatshirt. Still ~$350 gas/elec bill.
wharfrat100 t1_j7yxqx3 wrote
That seems way high for an apartment, but it is a 6 week period and you keep temp a bit high. I have gas heat, water heater and stove in a SF home and used about 120 therms on the last bill. Heat usually 65 - 67, well insulated house. If you are ground level apt, your bill will also be higher since no heat rising from unit below. In summer, a/c would be less though.
ikethefifth t1_j7yvwkv wrote
BGE should have a place on their website with a home energy report where you can compare your gas and electricity usage to "average" neighbors and "efficient" neighbors. They try to compare like with like, so similar sized apartments in a similar area. That way you can see if you're using a lot more gas than other people
RevRagnarok t1_j7z0dlo wrote
I get a letter from them like every month about that.
"You use the most electricity in your entire neighborhood! You should try to conserve more!" I also have the only EV in the neighborhood...
FrankieHellis t1_j7z747o wrote
I am convinced they all show the recipient is the energy hog. We have a beach condo where no one is over the winter. The heat is set at like 40. I think we’ve had a handful of days that even got below 40 and it always shows we use more than anyone else.
RevRagnarok t1_j7zg4f7 wrote
LOL my gas one is usually reasonable tho. And before the EV they did praise me sometimes.
baltikorean t1_j7z8byl wrote
It does seem a bit high, but I would suggest turning it down to 60-65 when you leave for work, 68-70 when you go to bed, and 55-60 when you're away for extended periods of time.
If the water heater is accessible, and it's on gas, on extended periods of leave you can turn it down to 'Vacation' mode.
jjk2 t1_j80hxxw wrote
if you have a smart meter from bge, when you log onto your account, you can view usage and there is a daily and hourly view on how much electricity and gas is used. could help pinpoint whats using the most energy
AntcuFaalb t1_j7ydei0 wrote
Change your gas provider to one offering cheaper rates: https://mdgaschoice.com
You'll still pay BGE, but the underlying provider of your natural gas will change.
RevRagnarok t1_j7z0g2x wrote
I agree 100% after OP clears up WTF is happening now because that's not just "BGE more expensive per therm."
Sleep_on_Fire t1_j7xvqz1 wrote
When you moved in, did you call BG&E or did your landlord set up the switch over?
You many need to call BG&E and provide your move in date and when you assumed responsibility for the utilities. Make sure there weren’t any residual charges that were left over from a vacancy or the previous charges or residual fees.