I think I have a faulty power meter to my house.<br /><br />My power bills just seem to be getting steadily higher each month.<br />From Summer of 2003 to the end of January 2004, it has went up dramatically.<br /><br />We called to complain, but we got the usual excuses, " It's winter, it's the holidays etc..."<br /><br />Problem with that is, I use propane for heat, I didn't run any Christmas lights, and I've been practically living in the dark and cold.<br />Although I run propane, my stove has a fan, but it comes on only a few times. Even then, it's only on when we're awake for 5 or 6 hours in the evening before bed.<br />Everything is shut off during the day when everyone is gone to work and school.<br />We might run a load of laundry each night.<br /><br />I originally bought this house from my parents, and they use to run electric heat almost non-stop in the winter, and air conditioners 24/7 in the summer... And their bill wasn't even as high as mine now!<br />I run air conditioners in the summer too, and my bill isn't as high as it is now.<br /><br />???<br /><br />I paid my bill in December 2003, and practically shut everything off in January to verify if it was actually my usage or a bad meter. <br />I ran everything at its minimum. <br />Well, January's bill came along, and it went UP! 
<br /><br />Now here's another kicker:<br />I estimated February's usage, and it's going to be approx. 10 kw/h per day LESS than January...(I figured the same amount of days used)<br />And I DIDN'T change anything - My usage was relatively the same. How can this be?<br /><br />???<br /><br />I've even went as far as removing half the light bulbs. The kids are pretty good about keeping the lights off too (with me at attention of course)<br /><br />Any ideas? <br /><br />I'm going to formally request a power meter calibration. My meter has been in this house for ever. I'm guessing 20+ years.<br />I've read some web sites (various power companies) that older meters usually SLOW down with age. Is there any truth to this?<br /><br />I'm just about ready to use my .45 caliber adjusting tool on the meter!<br /><br />Oh and lastly...<br />When I did call and complain, then said something about my meter being so old, that it may be 'obsolete' and they couldn't replace it.<br /><br />I've got an older 100 amp service. Today's standard is 200 amp (I think)<br />My house is old, and if I even attempt to replace any circuit breaker box, or power meter box, the county would be on me like a bum on a baloney sandwich! <br />I can guarantee they would make me re-wire the whole house.<br />I would love to upgrade to a standard 200 amp box, but there's no way I can afford to buy all the permits, contractors etc... <br /><br />Isn't it the power companies' problem if the existing meter is obsolete?<br />They own the meter... If they don't have the equipment to replace it, shouldn't THEY pay for whatever it takes to upgrade?<br /><br />Maybe I should use the magnet trick... LOL!<br />I've seen a lot of those 'free electricity' hacks, and it all looks dangerous and stupid to me.<br /><br />H.
<br /><br />Now here's another kicker:<br />I estimated February's usage, and it's going to be approx. 10 kw/h per day LESS than January...(I figured the same amount of days used)<br />And I DIDN'T change anything - My usage was relatively the same. How can this be?<br /><br />???<br /><br />I've even went as far as removing half the light bulbs. The kids are pretty good about keeping the lights off too (with me at attention of course)<br /><br />Any ideas? <br /><br />I'm going to formally request a power meter calibration. My meter has been in this house for ever. I'm guessing 20+ years.<br />I've read some web sites (various power companies) that older meters usually SLOW down with age. Is there any truth to this?<br /><br />I'm just about ready to use my .45 caliber adjusting tool on the meter!<br /><br />Oh and lastly...<br />When I did call and complain, then said something about my meter being so old, that it may be 'obsolete' and they couldn't replace it.<br /><br />I've got an older 100 amp service. Today's standard is 200 amp (I think)<br />My house is old, and if I even attempt to replace any circuit breaker box, or power meter box, the county would be on me like a bum on a baloney sandwich! <br />I can guarantee they would make me re-wire the whole house.<br />I would love to upgrade to a standard 200 amp box, but there's no way I can afford to buy all the permits, contractors etc... <br /><br />Isn't it the power companies' problem if the existing meter is obsolete?<br />They own the meter... If they don't have the equipment to replace it, shouldn't THEY pay for whatever it takes to upgrade?<br /><br />Maybe I should use the magnet trick... LOL!<br />I've seen a lot of those 'free electricity' hacks, and it all looks dangerous and stupid to me.<br /><br />H.