Submitted by theREALPLM t3_10qtr0l in Pennsylvania
Comments
theREALPLM OP t1_j6rt171 wrote
I'm also shocked by my natural gas bill which is $100 higher than December (already high-average), it was my highest utility bill ever (it's not even cold!!!!). This kind of financial hit could be devastating to someone . Both get automatically deducted on the same day.
xxdropdeadlexi t1_j6s04s5 wrote
who is your natural gas provider?
theREALPLM OP t1_j6s0703 wrote
UGI
PocketSpaghettios t1_j6s3b6q wrote
Ugh, I used LESS gas this year than the same time last year, but had to pay $100 MORE. I nearly choked when I saw my $400 bill
BeerExchange t1_j6s7z9v wrote
I've seen the same with electricity. I went out of my way to make my house more energy efficient through insulating and air sealing. As a result we used like 15-20% less electricity but our bill was $10-20 more than last year because of electric rates going up by like 40%.
Wickersaltlamp t1_j6s5471 wrote
$400 in December? Do you have a giant house? Mine wasn't that bad and I thought gas was supposed to be cheaper than oil.
PocketSpaghettios t1_j6s7uaz wrote
My house is 1690ft^2. We try to keep the temp around 68°F. We're gonna get new windows because all of ours are garbage, but that's gonna be a $10k expense 🤮 our furnace is also from the 70s so I'm sure it's not super efficient. I want to add more insulation to the attic too but my partner and my dad don't think it will help (I don't think it could hurt but what do I know)
justasque t1_j6t6c5f wrote
See if the power company will do an energy audit to help you figure out which improvements give the most bang for our buck. Plus those kits where you put plastic over your windows really do make a difference. Also, thermal curtains help. We have kind of gotten away from the old ways, and with an older house and colder weather, they are worth rediscovering. (And I’m with you on the attic insulation, if there isn’t a decent amount already.)
[deleted] t1_j6ug34a wrote
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Wickersaltlamp t1_j6sa5fe wrote
Yeah, that's not a huge house, so the windows should make a huge difference, unfortunately, for your wallet. More insulation should help too. Not sure why it wouldn't. My house has a furnace from the 90s and insulation from the 70s, windows are good as far as keeping their seals. I'm thinking of adding all new insulation. The finished part of my basement has no floor insulation and I think it's a big problem.
PocketSpaghettios t1_j6sacll wrote
Unfortunately we bought our house knowing a lot of it wasn't updated. That's why it was such a good deal. It's going to be painful, but it's becoming more and more obvious how necessary the windows are
Wickersaltlamp t1_j6sbiq2 wrote
At least you got a deal! You could be me buying a house with known problems and not a good deal lol
ho_merjpimpson t1_j6t70w1 wrote
id try some decent curtains, or some of the window film to see if it makes a big difference before you make a big adjustment.. how old are the windows?
PocketSpaghettios t1_j6t9o4b wrote
The house was built in the 1960s and a couple of the windows are original. So literally anything would be an improvement on what we have lol
ho_merjpimpson t1_j6tb0qe wrote
id definitely consider doing some of the film to hold yourself over. its not the greatest looking stuff, but who cares. it will save you hundreds just dealing with it the rest of this year.
that or even get some quality full coverage curtains for the original windows, and getting in the habit of keeping your blinds closed when you arent in the room.
we have a pellet stove, but we can literally cut the amount of fuel we burn in half by keeping blinds shut vs open.
i know you didnt ask for this advice, but it might help you out.
hoptimus-prime t1_j6thzck wrote
Attic insulation can be a big saver especially if you're able to plug up any decent sized holes that may have arose from animals or wear/tear. A colleague of mine recouped his investment on insulating the attic in about two years!
Mijbr090490 t1_j6u78cj wrote
Attic insulation will help tremendously as well as air sealing the attic. Fwiw, even old gas furnaces maintain about 80% efficiency, so unless you go to a condensing gas furnace you won't see much improvement on the electric bill. If I were to upgrade it would definitely be to a high efficiency unit.
Top_File_8547 t1_j6ug63n wrote
Our gas bill dropped by almost half when we got a new furnace in 2008. It’s 92% efficient. That’s probably your cheapest choice. We also had shitty windows until last year. The bill has gone down since the windows too but not as much as the furnace.
QuickNature t1_j6vgzat wrote
Attic insulation will help a lot as heat rises. The more you slow the escape the of heat from your house the better. This is also works the opposite in summer as well if you run AC. It will reduce how much heat can flow into your house.
Windows are also a huge factor that effects the transfer of heat. If they are single pane, you are hemorrhaging head outside. Double pane with good weather stripping will make a huge difference. Those plus the insulation would have a larger net effect than buying a new furnace.
The last thing I would upgrade is the furnace. They are surprisingly efficient, even if they are older. Still should update it if you can afford it because efficiency has increased, but the windows and insulation will help the most.
princeoinkins t1_j6sclxp wrote
where are you at? I'm outside Lancaster and I work selling windows/doors/lumber. I can give you a good price
Or0b0ur0s t1_j6scj02 wrote
It is. Oil is running $1k per fill up at this point.
Wickersaltlamp t1_j6sdljy wrote
Thats true. My tank usually gets filled around halfway and has a 300-400 bill this year.
Eisernes t1_j6snm7m wrote
I paid $350 in a house about the size as the person you asked and on cold days I still have to wear a sweatshirt. Was about half that much last year.
Wickersaltlamp t1_j6sp0jc wrote
That sucks! I thought i was getting screwed with oil (I am), but I wasn't sure how significant the difference was between the two.
InsecureVandal t1_j6tii4d wrote
Same.... 😐
IamSauerKraut t1_j6s2fie wrote
UGI pretty much has a lock on natural gas in this area. No competition to temper the prices.
Genkiotoko t1_j6s4fpt wrote
There are third parties you can opt into for supply, although in not sure how good most of them are.
ho_merjpimpson t1_j6t6ptw wrote
i mean, thats not really how it works with heating fuels. there is always competition. and if not, there are likely dozens of propane companies that would undercut them if their prices were that inflated and would be more than happy to convert your shit over to burn propane.
prices are high in the area because prices are high everywhere.
IamSauerKraut t1_j6u1baf wrote
>my natural gas bill
No, we are not discussing in general "heating fuels." Natural gas is pretty specific and it is piped by UGI thru pipes placed by UGI to houses occupied by UGI customers in a relatively large area serviced exclusively by UGI.
ho_merjpimpson t1_j6u3qfn wrote
dude, you are flat out wrong. whenever there is not competition for a utility (including natural gas), the rates are literally regulated by the government and they have to request price hikes. This includes UGI.
the idea that they are inflating the prices because there is no competition is straight up wrong. argue it all you want, it wont make you right. i cant spell it out any clearer.
IamSauerKraut t1_j6u5o8x wrote
Ah, so, you've dropped your propane angle? A fuel not regulated by the PUC, btw.
ho_merjpimpson t1_j6ueq72 wrote
>Ah, so, you've dropped your propane angle?
Ah, so, you've dropped your monopoly angle?
the propane angle was another way to explain why your monopoly statement was silly. if nat gas was inflated to any meaningful degree there are a ton of propane companies that would be a direct competition to natural gas customers. you seemed to not understand that, so i went elsewhere to show you another reason you were wrong.
>regulated by the PUC
so what you are saying is that propane is not regulated by the puc, but natural gas is? thanks for proving my point. propane is not regulated because there is no monopoly on it. there is a fierce competition that keeps the price low.
natural gas is regulated. so your comment about it being a monopoly that allows inflated gas prices... while reddit upvote bait... is simply wrong.
IamSauerKraut t1_j6uh809 wrote
>you've dropped your monopoly angle?
Was that a word I used?
oh
ho_merjpimpson t1_j6uiz47 wrote
keep pretending that ugi is inflating prices because they have a mono... ohh, im sorry. a lock on gas because they are the only person that can provide it thus are able to inflate their prices.
again. for the dim witted....
ugi cannot raise their prices despite having a mono... oops. a lock on their product, because it is a heavily regulated product.
you are wrong. have a nice day.
IamSauerKraut t1_j6ukazg wrote
>keep pretending that ugi is inflating prices because they have a mono
2 things in your sentence which I did not state. Why be such a dishonest dingo? Is UGI paying you to spam the sub with your garbage?
ho_merjpimpson t1_j6unnuc wrote
> UGI pretty much has a lock on natural gas in this area.
=they pretty much have a monopoly
>No competition to temper the prices.
= they can inflate the prices
>2 things in your sentence which I did not state.
you might not know that you are stating these things, but you are.
>Is UGI paying you to spam the sub with your garbage?
you got me. hail corporate.
IamSauerKraut t1_j6wut8n wrote
Unable to counter my specific comments, you insert gratuitous commentary that supports only your narrative. I need not temper my comments just because you want me to state something different. Nor does what your latest comment subjugate my point to your narrative.
Fact: the lack of competition places UGI in a position where they, and they alone, can determine the market price. Is it a monopoly? Technically, no. You do not deny that point - the lack of competition - when you describe the propane situation.
IamSauerKraut t1_j6uhbt2 wrote
>propane is not regulated because there is no monopoly on i
Is that why propane is not regulated?
thatdood87 t1_j6t72ob wrote
Wow. They fucked me up too. I put plastic over my windows in beginning of December and didn't put the heat up above 80 degrees and my bill was sooooooooooo high, like double what it usually is.
[deleted] t1_j6v545a wrote
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CriticalMammal t1_j6ss20c wrote
Not sure if anyone else mentioned this but with UGI you can enroll in a payment assistance program to get an even bill every month.
Mine stays at $160 a month year round based on their calculations. You might pay a little more in off seasons but there's no surprises from what I've noticed.
Tapdncn4lyfe2 t1_j6thza9 wrote
I had to do this and mine came down to $171. I bought my new house in November of 2022 and got my first bill at the end of December and it was around $350. I was like how in the hell did we use that much heat. We keep the house at 68 degrees..
BigDaddyCaddy68 t1_j6wu5nc wrote
I had UGI at my old home. I had months where their service and delivery charges were more than the gas I used. Fucking bullshit.
sara128 t1_j6sy5gf wrote
Everyone is talking about PPL, but I was way more shocked when I got my UGI bill! My electric bill was $88, not too bad. But UGI was $164! And my bill for last month UGI was only $40... (1100 Sq foot house, heat set between 65-69)
bad185 t1_j6v07hw wrote
Are you on budget billing by chance? Mine was $200 higher, almost had a heart attack! But it was because I was billed $200 less than my actual 2022 usage so I had a budget shortfall.
RamHands t1_j6v1nd3 wrote
But that should have been evened out over the next budgetary cycle, not paid all at once.
bad185 t1_j6v365b wrote
I called UGI about it, and they said they reconcile the budgets at the end of the 12th month of the cycle. My mortgage does the same, although they do offer the option to pay monthly or all at once. UGI didn't.
RamHands t1_j6wkc21 wrote
I was stuck on ppl. Ppl adjusted every 3 months, then they split your over on the next 3 months. Same for if you’re under.
ronreadingpa t1_j6ruqaj wrote
Illustrates the danger of autopay. Better to manually pay the bill each month. Lots of things are legal many wouldn't expect. Fortunately, due to the huge number of complaints, PPL has recently announced they will allow late payments with no threat of shutoff nor late fees through the end of March.
SchnauzerHaus t1_j6rx5t5 wrote
I'm starting to feel like I'm not paying my bill until the end of March. I don't have autopay. No one should, I know it's convenient, but I would be livid if that much money "automatically" came out of my bank account. Fuck auto pay.
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flaaaacid t1_j6rz7ph wrote
Utilities don’t shut off because of a one month late payment. They’ll assess a minor late fee (or in this case, won’t, because they said that’s suspended for now) and life goes on.
heili t1_j6s5st9 wrote
I see you've never dealt with Duquesne Light.
They will send a shutoff notice dated the day after the payment date which gives ten days to pay the bill before they'll shut off service. They're also notorious for back-dating notices. People get a notice that's postmarked the day prior to them receiving it, but the notice itself is dated for a week or more prior.
They will also leave shutoff notices that are back dated on people's doors after the date they state they will shut off service has already passed. Not mailed, just left there. Sometimes they tape them to doors, sometimes they shove them in mailboxes, sometimes they just throw them on the ground.
They are absolutely a shit company.
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PregnantSuperman t1_j6s3l8l wrote
Yesterday the PA Public Utilities Commission announced a full investigation into this BS, for whatever that's worth.
tideblue t1_j6rxem7 wrote
I got hosed on utility bills a few years ago. Moved into a small 1-BR, and setting up utilities was extremely expensive. Here it turns out there was a couple living there before me, who worked from home and ran up the electric bill every month with heating in the Winter. They billed me for their usage history for like six months, and wouldn’t give me a refund but “credit that would go to my next bill.”
Basically paid my electric for the rest of the time I lived there, and didn’t get any kind of refund when I closed the account.
thenewtbaron t1_j6ryc6m wrote
actually, you should have gotten a refund, it may have taken a while.
If you moved over to a new place and new electrical, maybe you can go to the PA treasury place and find that they still owe you a check?
tideblue t1_j6s1l2s wrote
It’s annoying, but it’s more the point about not giving customers back money if they overcharge you. I’m the one who paid and caught the mistake, but I don’t know how it’s legal for them to say “We’ll just hold on to that and apply it to your future bills.”
IamSauerKraut t1_j6s2ya3 wrote
imho, utilities should not be able to grab an interest free loan from customers, which is how overcharges are typically handled. Given the recent inflation and price increases on nearly everything, there is a growing population that simply cannot afford to be forced to pay in advance. Not disconnecting or surcharging customers helps ease the burden, but seriously? Too many industry folks within PUC, imho.
Ambitious-Intern-928 t1_j6ug92l wrote
It's the interest free loan part, they know what they're doing, by the time the money gets back to you it's already deflated in value to their advantage
StupiderIdjit t1_j6s1vea wrote
This is me and Verizon five minutes ago after finally convinced the idiot I shouldn't have to pay for equipment I've returned.
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KFCConspiracy t1_j6s52id wrote
Contact PUC and your state rep's office.
insofarincogneato t1_j6tkqes wrote
Folks can't wait till next month, you took food out of their mouths now!
RhydianMarai t1_j6uhmox wrote
My mom called about the 1k bill she got for December and the woman got nasty with her. It's ridiculous.
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ticktocktoe t1_j6u0tig wrote
You do realize this is how most companies without automated meters still do things right? (like MetEd down in Berks/york/etc..). People come out and read a meter every 3 months - they guess for 2 months - and then adjust.
NegativeIcecream t1_j6u3ta0 wrote
I do realize that. And I am sure you can realize that there is a difference between doing that and estimating people at twice what is usually charged.
theREALPLM OP t1_j6rp7t6 wrote
The radio report I heard said that PPL said it affected up to 800,000 customers. I can’t even fathom how this could occur. If I were involved in their customer support, I would quit immediately.
Mor_Tearach t1_j6s1hnw wrote
PPL once took $20.000 instead of $200 ( and no we didn't have it, hence the shocker when trying to use our debit card ).
PPL is wayyyy outta hand. Disclaimer being we live in the woods and lose power every time there's a storm and high wind- crews %100 amazing getting out here ). Our last 3 bills TWICE what we usually pay.
First time we scrambled- almost no use of the dryer, very careful with the stove, we have a coal stove for heat, a few rooms we have electric heat and simply did not turn it on, ever, all our lights are LED but we were still careful about turning off lights. Tons of things, we spent a month being really careful.
Next bill? $45 bucks more. PPL is officially outta control.
StupiderIdjit t1_j6s2gqy wrote
You literally described my scenario (but I don't live in the woods). Despite all that scrambling to scrimp, we still got hit with 1450 kwh - about $300 for a 2 bedroom apartment (we've only been using the one bedroom).
Mor_Tearach t1_j6s9blv wrote
WOW? It feels like the company is just, plain making crap UP at this point. And PPL sorta slid it in on us- we DID get a notification there would be a FORTY PERCENT increase 40???? So it transpires we can do simply nothing to counter it like deliberately use a lot less energy.
Feels like they're going to charge us anyway.
MomsSpecialFriend t1_j6sjami wrote
Everyone I know is freaking out about usage. We recognize the price went up but why would usage jump for every single customer to beyond anything they’ve ever used before? We are having an extremely mild winter.
Atrocious_1 t1_j6st9bv wrote
Because they're liars, that's why, and they know regulators won't do a thing
Mor_Tearach t1_j6uxjxk wrote
Time to start really screaming. I know I am. Our usage was absolutely WAY down- and yet it's not? Something is badly, badly wrong.
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Semi-Hemi-Demigod t1_j6sbuva wrote
I'm going to start monitoring my electric meter a lot more closely
[deleted] t1_j6ugco1 wrote
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[deleted] t1_j6v0aeg wrote
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Modestkilla t1_j6smodw wrote
I got a bill for two months, they forgot to bill me, $950 in the past I was paying in the $150-$200 range. On top of that I’m paying around $600-$1000 a month right now for oil heat. Shit is completely out of control.
Mor_Tearach t1_j6uvy73 wrote
Whoa. My elderly mother's oil bill was 350 last winter ( SMALL apartment), last bill this year 700.
This is ALL out of control. How in hell are we supposed to PAY this? All of us. I remember seeing what they're paying in Texas and thinking " Wow glad that's not us " It's getting there.
Modestkilla t1_j6v2lwa wrote
Yeah I have no idea, I make pretty good money so we can some what afford it, don’t like it, but can pay it. I have no idea how middle class families and lower are surviving right now.
Mor_Tearach t1_j6wnj44 wrote
Same and we also live way out in the middle of nowhere so have a well. Woman who helps us with a very elderly mother lives in a small town . Both she and her husband work full time and pick up extra hours when they can.
Rent has almost doubled, water bill through the roof and now their electric bill looks like a mortgage payment. She began using a food bank run out of a local church, she's frantic poor nice thing.
theSG-17 t1_j6ssubr wrote
Next time I move I'm getting solar panels and a battery system.
Mor_Tearach t1_j6wqnjj wrote
Yes, wish we'd a. Looked into geothermal b. Invested in solar panels and c. Got serious about a windmill. Very small company not far from us invested in a windmill and now sells power back to the grid.
sassysmurfed t1_j6uzm71 wrote
I’ve lived in my home for 2.5 years. The most energy I used in any month was 2500kWh. PPL billed me for 7500kWh on my current bill.
Mor_Tearach t1_j6wpc4c wrote
This is such a huge conversation to keep going- apparently PPL is now designated " Buy " on the market. Looking around, claim seems to be higher energy source costs all around.
But. Something smells around as bad as the road kill deer PA ceased to do anything about citing ' budget '. You use the same Wh but are billed as actually using more?
What bugs me is energy companies like natural gas escaping free from taxes, threat from those companies being " Well if you tax us we'll just stop creating Pennsylvania jobs ". Also nonsense. Gas is here. What are they going to do, tunnel in from Maryland?
Also infuriating, price gouging is only illegal if it's done when there's a declared national emergency. This is just crazy.
Pink_Slyvie t1_j708ied wrote
>PPL once took $20.000 instead of $200 ( and no we didn't have it, hence the shocker when trying to use our debit card ).
At that point, install solar and batteries and go off grid.
I'm honestly removing all payment info from ppl, and using my bank to pay them from here on out, to many issues.
pm_your_masterpiece t1_j6rzr1r wrote
What do you mean? This is clearly a cash grab to float debt or something. Call your state reps and demand an investigation
Fats-Tubman t1_j6si08b wrote
Already did. They direct you to the PUC website to file complaints
pm_your_masterpiece t1_j6siamg wrote
thank you. I can't believe the shenanigans being pulled by PPL
Fats-Tubman t1_j6siixd wrote
I went full on at them. They have little oversight and increased their rates by 93% over the last year. That’s price gouging. And they are damn near a monopoly
69FunnyNumberGuy420 t1_j6s3mzi wrote
When people hoot and holler and bitch about da gubbermint, point at shit like this. When government regulations on business are weak, they can do shit like this with impunity, and frequently do.
In a just world with a functioning regulatory state, shit like this would get a company broken up.
flaaaacid t1_j6rtmkf wrote
This right here is exactly why I don’t allow automatic payments on most things.
tempestveil t1_j6ruygz wrote
same here and its saved me more than a few times in the past
hbgbees t1_j6s4uj3 wrote
Me three
throwingarmweak t1_j6s30rr wrote
I wish I could have autopay off, but as someone with disabilities it's the main way that I ensure that all my bills are paid on time because my memory is severely impacted and I'd end up with a ton of late fees if I didn't 😞
NegativeIcecream t1_j6s01bn wrote
Agreed, I don’t auto pay either. But in this case I tried calling and was on hold for an hour before I gave up. So I guess y option is waste time calling or just don’t pay until they figure their shit out
justasque t1_j6t86d0 wrote
Do they have an option to view your bill online and pay online, rather than calling to pay? (I have a different provider so I don’t know about PPL.). I can also pay online thru my bank, if I know the amount.
klauskervin t1_j6sf6r2 wrote
People think I'm old school paying with checks but the fact is the law provides you significantly more rights and protections paying by check via USPS than any automated payment system.
Ambitious-Intern-928 t1_j6uhbot wrote
Care to elaborate? To my understanding the old "postmarked" thing went away with the rise in electronic billing and companies must actually RECEIVE the check by the due date, or they can charge a late fee. The USPS has become notoriously unreliable over the last several years. I REFUSE to mail a check because it has EVERYTHING someone would need to set up fraudulent transfers, so when I had a bill that needed to be paid via USPS last year I sent a money order certified mail, it took 6 weeks to be recieved. It was NEVER scanned as delivered as the USPS was no help, they said "oh it probably got delivered and they forgot to scan it."
klauskervin t1_j6v4w2t wrote
> To my understanding the old "postmarked" thing went away with the rise in electronic billing and companies must actually RECEIVE the check by the due date, or they can charge a late fee.
I've never had this issue they've always honored the post mark date.
ronreadingpa t1_j6rtwh8 wrote
PPL still hasn't explained exactly what happened. Be nice if some news media would press them on it, but most news outlets simply regurgitate whatever a company or official says.
Noticed a new 5% System Improvement surcharge. PPL used to be relatively affordable with good service. Not anymore. PPL is seemingly not shopping for the best rate possible, which is what they're supposed to do. Their default rate of 14+ cents is among the very highest of any utility in the state. Distributers aren't supposed to profit on supplying electricity, but suspect PPL is in some roundabout way. Very shady and should be investigated.
theREALPLM OP t1_j6ru4og wrote
I'm calling my state senator....
moravian t1_j6rvo04 wrote
It's more useful to file a PUC complaint, it's very quick and easy.
PregnantSuperman t1_j6s3t77 wrote
Why not both? Also the PUC just announced an investigation into this yesterday. Hopefully something comes of it.
Atrocious_1 t1_j6suyod wrote
"we investigated ourselves and found nothing wrong"
PregnantSuperman t1_j6svjus wrote
Unless I'm mistaken, PUC is a completely separate regulatory body, I'm not sure why you would say they're investigating themselves.
Atrocious_1 t1_j6swb58 wrote
I mean, ok, sure, I guess you can take things at face value and ignore the incestuous nature between regulatory bodies and the organizations they oversee
PregnantSuperman t1_j6syubj wrote
You want to give any examples of what you mean in the case of the PUC? I'm not coming at you, I just think it's lazy and cynical to automatically dismiss something unless you have evidence to back it up. Admittedly I don't know much about the PUC so if there really is an example of a conflict of interest in action I'd be interested in knowing.
Atrocious_1 t1_j6t3lyq wrote
Specific examples of PPL and the PUC, no. However there's been multiple historic examples, plus the fact that when the rate increases were first proposed thousands of citizens, businesses, and legislators wrote in saying this would be detrimental and the PUC basically told all of us "too bad lol"
fireXmeetXgasoline t1_j6s8cf6 wrote
I got this email yesterday:
“To our Valued Customers,
You have a right to expect excellent service from your electric utility. We know that delivering reliable electricity – keeping the lights on for you – must be matched by exceptional customer service. In recent weeks, we’ve fallen short of this standard in both our billing and responsiveness to customers.
Today, I’m reaching out to address these issues, including estimated bills, to share steps we’re taking to support our customers, and to explain what it means for you. I also want to take this opportunity to address higher prices for energy supply, which have been the primary driver of higher bills. While we don’t control these energy supply costs, we are committed to doing what we can to help you in this challenging time.
While estimated billing and higher prices are unrelated, together they have fueled a sharp increase in customer calls, resulting in long wait times for many who have tried to contact us. If you received an estimated bill or have had difficulty reaching our call center, I apologize. Simply put, you deserve better, and we are committed to regaining your trust.
Actions we’re taking to support our customers:
First and foremost, we’ve resolved the technical issue that resulted in a significant number of bills that were based on estimated electricity usage. This issue involved bills sent from December 20 through January 9. Estimates based on historical usage may have been higher or lower than actual usage. If this impacted you, you have either already received a corrected bill with actual usage or an adjustment on your next monthly bill to ensure you only pay for the electricity you used. By fixing the technical issue, we have restored customers’ access to detailed usage information online at pplelectric.com. We will not shut off power to residential and small-business customers for non-payment through March 31. We are waiving all late fees in January and February. Any fees already charged in January will be credited to customer accounts. We continue to offer payment plans and assistance programs that can help if you are struggling to pay your electric bill. This includes self-service options that are available to you online at pplelectric.com/billhelp or by calling 1-800-DIAL-PPL. We are adding more agents to answer your calls and reduce wait times.”
There was more afterward telling me how to compare prices and shit.
This strikes me as a very “oopsie doodle!” and not genuine.
PADemD t1_j6u5bu6 wrote
Why is PPL doing estimated bills? I have Met-Ed, and they installed new meters which record actual usage. No one reads our meters anymore, and we do not get estimated bills. Since the new meters were installed, our bills are much lower.
Kristin2349 t1_j6ueeso wrote
It was an IT fuck up, PPL installed smart meters before Met Ed.
kaneda32 t1_j6s4yqd wrote
>PPL still hasn't explained exactly what happened. Be nice if some news media would press them on it, but most news outlets simply regurgitate whatever a company or official says.
PPL did not have interval data (15min usage) in their billing system for the days between 12/22 and 12/26. Without usage they were unable to calculate invoices and charges. This also overlapped the cold weather around Christmas, which included extreme spot market prices. The data has been recovered, but there are still issues, not sure what is taking so long to resolve.
PPL is in the business of electric distribution. They do provide electric supply to those that opt not to select a 3rd party supplier. Their strategy to set utility supply rates involve purchases in April and October, with various terms and percentages. These costs are averaged and trued up every six months. Needless to say, October was a terrible time to secure commodity, hence the high price to compare.
3rd party suppliers for residential customers is typically a bad idea. Most people sign up and forget to re-shop at the end of the contract. The supplier is not responsible to return your account to the utility supply, but rather starts billing at a variable rate. This is all spelled out in the contact, but everyone wants to file a complaint. The responsibility is on you. I encourage most people not to shop for their home.
artificialavocado t1_j6rwpav wrote
Well of course they have to just repeat what was said. It is a new outlet what you think they are reporters or something?
/s
CltAltAcctDel t1_j6rwzhl wrote
It’s not PPL job to shop for the best rate. That’s on you. PUC sets the PPL rates for generation and distribution. The consumer can shop for the best generation rate
IamSauerKraut t1_j6s3ant wrote
It is PPL's job to bill correctly. Every. Time.
CltAltAcctDel t1_j6sepd8 wrote
Absolutely. Not saying it isn’t.
[deleted] t1_j6uelx3 wrote
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trying-to-be-kind t1_j6rvkmm wrote
I was also hit with an "estimated" bill that was at least 2x my normal bill for this time of year. If you can't get through to PPL, you can file an informal complaint through the PA PUC:
https://www.puc.pa.gov/filing-resources/forms/complaint-forms/
It won't result in any immediate help, but the PUC may light a fire under PPL so they don't "accidentally" pull this stunt again. The fact they didn't immediately correct everyone's electric bill (but were quick to offer payment plans) tells me this was not the glitch they claim it was.
Kristin2349 t1_j6tza6f wrote
They can’t immediately correct the issue because it isn’t a simple billing issue it is a massive IT issue…IT has been outsourced as has CS. So while customers are waiting on hold for hours to talk to someone about their bill when they finally get through they’ll be speaking to someone in Trinidad.
[deleted] t1_j7093p9 wrote
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enlightnight t1_j6rujn0 wrote
If only we had a word for when money is taken against the owners will...
boogersmagoo t1_j6t9sw0 wrote
Hmmm yeah, something that came with repercussions too….
StupiderIdjit t1_j6s2o96 wrote
I'm gonna just start estimating my payments.
CowIllustrious4197 t1_j709e3j wrote
Tell them it’s an IT issue while you’re at it 🤣
Cilantroduction t1_j6s2fvb wrote
NJ here. My utility bill shot WAY up, and my "this is what you used compared to last year" statement showed that my household used LESS than this time last year. I was averaging about $125 to $175 a month with a 1,700-sq-ft house, and 3 adults using water, gas, and electricity. MOST of my lighting elements are LED, and we have gas heat and hot water. Our gas and electric bill this month?? $325.00 This all seems like greedflation to me. PS...we keep our heat down to 64 to 65 during the day, and we allow ourselves the luxury of 67 degrees at night, only if its very cold out. Spoiler: It hasn't been that cold at night at all. We also all use heated blankets. This and the cost of groceries, and gas for our cars is killing the finances and dreams of most working families.
PADemD t1_j6u6eef wrote
My last Met-Ed bill for December was $124.16 for a 1200 sq ft, 3-bedroom home, with oil heat and electric hot water heater. One of the bedrooms is an attic bedroom not connected to the main heating system (space heater).
Mijbr090490 t1_j6uanfo wrote
That's crazy. We have a similar setup, but it's just a ranch and we don't use space heaters. Ours was 240 bucks. I'm really trying to be conscious of my usage now, but still at 8 bucks a day for electric.
Squashey t1_j6wbgql wrote
I also saw the same huge cost increases versus same time period last year.
Found my usage was about the same but PPL has nearly double their rate per kWh since then.
Politicians sitting idly by as we get manhandled by cost increases is not going to end well.
Cilantroduction t1_j6wzrv1 wrote
But, how? What are we to do? I am one person and I need infrastructure. They know they have us over a barrel.
Squashey t1_j6x12cv wrote
We are to write messages/reach out to our state politicians asking to look into why our critical infrastructure bills are doubled over a year.
I have done so and ask others to as well. I find it hard to believe that PPLs cost structure has gotten so out of hand that a doubling of their prices is warranted.
theSG-17 t1_j6stjng wrote
Utilities should not be allowed to be operated privately. They should all be owned by the government at either the municipal, state, or national level.
PermissionToConnect t1_j6vgscb wrote
Amen
Mijbr090490 t1_j6u2za3 wrote
Just reached out to Scott Perry.
>Hi, Im sure you are busy with the whole cell phone debacle and planning the next insurrection, but I'd like to ask you to take some time out of your busy schedule to tackle some real issues that are affecting your constituents. Recently PPL had major internal issues causing electric bills to skyrocket. The bill estimation, which the PUC allows, supposedly uses historic data to estimate the usage. I'm not sure how, in one of the warmest Januarys in recorded history, that electric bills are so high. Just today PPL took a 3 month advance on auto payments. This is absolutely ridiculous and unacceptable. I ask you, as one of your constituents, to do everything in your power to correct this issue. I know it is a tall order between election denying and thinking about Hunter Biden, but Pennsylvanians deserve better.
shawikkywoo t1_j6vtdlu wrote
Stunning and brave. I clapped.
Bobwiththebigone t1_j6rq6de wrote
Had to pump up the earnings report for the stock price. Someone must be trying to get a hefty bonus.
Allemaengel t1_j6rygox wrote
I hope some c-suite execs at 9th and Hamilton are shitting a brick over this screw-up.
But at that level they probably think that it's just a joke
Atrocious_1 t1_j6svi8f wrote
I think you mean toasting each other's payouts with champagne
Allemaengel t1_j6t1k59 wrote
Yeah, probably exactly that.
Atrocious_1 t1_j6t21qa wrote
Honestly hope Steph Raymond ends up in prison
eviljelloman t1_j6saunq wrote
People who say shit like “accidentally”, acting like there’s some sort of conspiracy, are fucking morons who have no idea how janky the systems at utilities are, or how incompetent their employees are.
This is a good old fashioned cock-up. To be malicious or sinister simply doesn’t make sense because they won’t keep the money and it just costs them money to fix. Stop assuming stupid shit because it feeds a narrative you’ve bought into.
Semi-Hemi-Demigod t1_j6scfvj wrote
Based on the timing of the loss of data, I'm pretty sure they screwed up their on-call scheduling around Christmas. Someone was supposed to get paged who didn't or didn't see it and they lost the data over the long weekend.
buggy65 t1_j6shdjy wrote
As someone who works in IT, yeah this is the answer. So much of the software in our world is held up by popsicle sticks and good intentions - it's a miracle anything works.
trying-to-be-kind t1_j6tll2u wrote
I can believe the data cock up is a random IT mistake, but PPL's billing practice in response to it is suspect. If they had responded to customers by sending them a corrected bill and/or notifying them billing would be temp. delayed while they fixed the problem, you wouldn't have people so up in arms crying conspiracy.
Instead, PPL's response is ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ pay us anyways. Yes, it's going to cost them to fix their mistake, but the extra revenue its customers are temporarily floating them acts as a payday loan (of sorts) to fund the fix. PPL can then refund their customers at their leisure - sans interest, of course.
NickLandis t1_j6rzyr1 wrote
wtf is this title? There's nothing in the article about them taking 3 month advance automatic payment here.
This is just the same issue that was posted last week but with a highly editorialized title...
theREALPLM OP t1_j6s3086 wrote
It's effectively what PPL did to me and a whole bunch of other people (from what I can tell) because it's only an 'estimate' and it will supposedly be corrected and we'll be credited for the future bills. They somehow glitched their estimates up badly. On top of that Natural gas rates have skyrocketed. So I'm getting hit with my biggest ever electric bill on a winter month (and with no AC usage) and then my highest ever (by far) natural gas bill in a mild winter month. Poof, there goes my whole paycheck. Pretty shocking
DocCarlson t1_j6s6h6b wrote
Some people can probably sue for undue hardship they caused
2d_is_a_pimple t1_j6sms6w wrote
God I hope people do. I'd love to see PPL get taken down about 4 pegs.
the_skit_man t1_j6v8iql wrote
The only problem will be those affected by hardship probably can't afford a good lawyer, meanwhile, PPL can take their money and afford 5 great lawyers for the defense.
DocCarlson t1_j6wulyh wrote
You gotta find a lawyer who only gets paid a portion of what you win or they don’t get paid
Catvac-u-um_adnase t1_j6sbp2j wrote
PPL said help, including payment plans, can be found at pplelectric.com/billhelp or by calling PPL at 1-800-342-5775.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding unusually high bills recently received by customers served by PPL Electric Utilities, along with the accuracy and integrity of PPL's billing practices.
Edit
The phone number provided has a recording due to the number of calls.
Edit
Average wait time for calls are 4 hours
Edit
Programs offered
OnTrack agency can answer your questions. Tri County Community Action 1514 Derry Street Harrisburg, PA 17104 717-232-9757 | PPLONTRACK@cactricounty.org Proof of income necessary
OnTrack offers a lower fixed monthly payment to income-eligible customers. Are you eligible? Check out the income table below. Then fill out our quick and easy online application. A specialist will review your application and let you know if you’re enrolled.
LIHEAP — bill must be overdue for weeks or months to apply
LIHEAP offers two types of grants: cash and crisis. You may be eligible for both. You don’t need an overdue heating bill to be eligible. You can apply whether you rent or own your home.
Stardard Offer PPL —change energy provider as PPL remains middle man/broker
energy education— ask to explain bill and/or request an audit if bill doesn’t seem correct
Edit
LIHEAP and Ontrack both use a income chart for eligibility
Alternative-Flan2869 t1_j6sluw7 wrote
Some people need to go to jail - it’s called stealing.
InsecureVandal t1_j6tifyk wrote
We are getting slaughtered here in PA. The raising of rates broad range needs to stop.
HahaWeee t1_j6s7saj wrote
Ppl is very silly. My bill was pretty high in Dec and magicaly in Jan I used 1300 kWh less than last year
There's no way I used 1000 less in January than December
2d_is_a_pimple t1_j6sj6f7 wrote
Didn't they also screw up meters for December?
Same bastards who left my family in the dark for like 2 months after Hurricane Lee because they straight up "Forgot they didn't get to everyone yet."
I hate PPL with a burning passion man. But being in an apartment I don't think we get much of a choice...
Gotta say though, I'm smelling a lawsuit on the horizon for this circus of a company. I am fully convinced this incompetence is intentional and 100% to gain more profits.
TeeKrauty t1_j6sunmt wrote
My ppl bill is 370. For 1600 square foot house. Oil heat. 🤦♀️ how??????????? It was 200 last year and i used less this year. Rip off. How are people affording this???
[deleted] t1_j6so88g wrote
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Atrocious_1 t1_j6ssxgq wrote
Keep saying this is why all the utilities need to be nationalized but I'm sure some idiot is going to barge in here defending this kind of gouging
Kabloosh75 t1_j6shfv3 wrote
May explain why my electric bill doubled for no reason.
Incrarulez t1_j6t5tqq wrote
Don't contact the PUC first.
Contact PPL directly and log everything.
Source: I contacted the PUC over frequent (> 3x/week) brief power outages. Their policy is fir the consumer to first take it up with the service provider (PPL) directly then report back to the PUC if needed.
hedgerow_hank t1_j6ugo4g wrote
Weird how that always works out in the house's favor, huh?
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zerooze t1_j6tg49t wrote
This is why I never do automatic payments. Computer errors happen all the time. They happened to customers where I work too. It's not hard to just pay your bill once a month.
Is_this_social_media t1_j6tss65 wrote
So this is why I got a profusely apologetic email yesterday…. I was like “what did they do now?”
Note: I don’t have auto pmt
[deleted] t1_j6tyux1 wrote
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moon_slav t1_j6tzu4z wrote
wtf are they doing? They almost have to be in financial trouble with this + them taking an advance from every customer in December and Janruary
AiragonXIX t1_j6ue4rv wrote
They're incompetent if they're not total scum.
always-tired60 t1_j6ugj9v wrote
Oopsie!
[deleted] t1_j6uromz wrote
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highwayking324 t1_j6uuaz3 wrote
Just me and my dog and my PPL bill was $550 last month 😂
LowPermission9 t1_j6v1pw3 wrote
This is why I will NEVER sign up for any auto payments out of my bank account.
Puzzleheaded_Rub858 t1_j6vjlxu wrote
Yeah, this is why I don’t put the electric bill on auto pay.
106473 t1_j6vlhxy wrote
Feel like this is on purpose
basement-thug t1_j6wq93o wrote
This is why PPL is the only bill I don't have set up on autopay.
moravian t1_j6xa51x wrote
Interesting my entire current bill just vanished from the PPL website! It's not paid or unpaid just not there at all.
forty6and2oo t1_j6xtria wrote
So am I understanding this correctly? They want people to pay the wrong bill which is essentially a free fucking loan to them and then they pay us back later? My bill is literally double what is normally is.
No_Analyst_9131 t1_j6y5ai0 wrote
This kind of crap is why I don't bother with autopay.
It really isn't hard to remember to pay your bill every month, not to mention you will see immediately if there are any wayward charges that appear, vs never seeing things like the above until they overdraft your bank account. It also seems too easy for the utility company to "accidentally" withdraw multiple months worth of utilities, and then of course take months to actually pay you pack the overage.
[deleted] t1_j707ved wrote
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[deleted] t1_j73d3zg wrote
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OIK2 t1_j6snpve wrote
So glad that I escaped central PA.
NegativeIcecream t1_j6rrq3c wrote
What is happening over there?! They also completely messed up however the estimate bills and told some people they owe twice as much for Dec and Jan. And their response is “oh we will even it out in the next few months bill”. How is this shit legal?