GAS bill TOO HIGH, need some suggestions..Buford Area..$523 a month

[rjcjmom]

Last fall moved from western WA to east central IL and now we are just starting to look towards Atlanta.

In WA, my old rental house (1200 sq ft) and I thought a $300 electric bill was high. My last gas/electric bill here in Danville for a 4 bdrm house with basement and upstairs (which we have shut off and do not use) was just over $600. I thought at first that it was simply because heat is one area I spend on and keep it at 73 all the time (almost always somebody home and we like to be comfortable). And it probably is somewhat, but I did track down a previous occupant and she said her bill also topped that amount and they had to move as they could not afford it; and they weren't trying to make a sauna out of it.

We have storm windows, new thermostat, plastic, blown-in insulation, and we just finished putting up insulation everywhere. There are still a few drafts and the metal siding doesn't help.

One of the reasons we wanted to relocate was that Atlanta seems much warmer and a lot more like Seattle (and maybe a little more affordable) from what I am reading but surprised to hear about the high heat bills. $300 or $400 would be a nice break for us, but obviously I still have lots of research to do since this was a surprise to me.

Also, I have never heard of competing gas companies. Phone, internet, tv, yes, but never utility companies. Not even in Seattle or Portland where I have also lived. That should be interesting. Back to the due diligence board for me.

One thing I have learned to do here is to go round the house on extra windy or stormy days and check everywhere for drafts. That is the only time I notice them, but I am sure it is a great way to lose heat.

Sorry to hear about the high gas bill.

[jamesmp]

That is too high. My last bill for February was $230. I have a 4/2.5 home with a basement. But i keep my programmable thermostats at 68 when home. I thought my bill was to high!

[rjcjmom]

Well, I tell you - there were a couple of windstorms that blew heavily through our drafts and 67 was highest it would go. That is how I learned where all of my drafts are! And yes I was wearing at least two layers those days and nights.

$230 was about what I paid living in a one-bedroom apt!

Wish I had some fresh advice for you.

[Georgia]

Originally Posted by nbirchie

Hello everyone,
I writing on behalf of my sister who owns a home in Buford-it's about 2300 sq ft, no basement 4br..She got a GAS bill for 01/09 was $400..Now the bill due for 02/09 is $523. This just seemd unusually high..I've only lived here since 12/2008. the house isn't that big for the bill to be so high. Gas is bill thru city of buford, (they are no help)..
Please please someone please give me some info with what is going on? This does not seem like the norm.I've read other forums on this matter and other people bill are low. We have the two (2) furnaces. I've gone and check my two neighbors that are on my left and right, and their meter is not moving as fast as mine. My usage for 01/07/09-2/09/2009 is 188 thermal, last month usage was 125.
Another possible problem is that the Thermostat reading is not reading right. The one upstairs and downstairs. Should i change the thermostats first?

Please help us!! Thanks in advance...

Wow! something is going on. City of Buford Gas is not that bad when it comes to pricing in the area. I have them, a larger home and half the cost.
Few items:
How many folks live in the home?
Windows, are they down and locked.
Are they double pane
Insulation, is it blown insulation in the rafters at least 6"

Furnace
How old?
Filters, when were they changed.
Burners, check them
Thermostat: Digital new? If not, replace them.
Upstairs: Make sure all doors are closed when not in use
High ceilings downstairs: Install a fan, counter clockwise
Old Furnace: Serviced? Cleaned, check burners.
Electrical outlets: If they are not being used and facing the outside wall, go to Walmart and buy plug / plugs.
Replace old weather stripping on your front and back doors
Maintain temp: level upstairs with down if you have an open floor plan.
Do you have a gas water heater? If so, how old? Need to check the burner on that one too along with the thermostat.

Hope that helps

[nbirchie]

Thanks...thank God for Summer now!! I just think the house was built poorly.It's one of these newer-put everything cheap in it_ type of homes..

[Shagbark Hickory]

Did you ever perform the test that was suggested? If you suspect a leak you can call up the COB to inspect it.
I know that you can't switch natural gas providers but what you can do is switch to propane. I don't know if it's cheaper... I would be surprised if it was, but what it does do is enable you to eliminate the monthly base charge. COB charges about $24/mo just as an administrative fee and you will pay this all through the summer whether you use any gas or not. That may seem like small potatoes but that's close to $300 a year.
With LP, if you have room for a tank or can put underground you pay only for what you use and you can buy the gas when rates are a little lower as opposed to peak rates.
You may need to convert appliances but it's usually rather cheap to do this. Of course you will also have to buy or rent a tank but it's an investment that will pay for itself in less than 1 year of COB base charges.

[atlantagreg30127]

I have a 2100 square foot single level ranch home that is 40 years old, and my highest gas bill this past Winter was $260.00. That was for gas heat and a gas hot water tank. Most of my windows have been swapped out for double-pane though, and I had some extra insulation sprayed up in the attic last year. I had my thermostat set at 68-69 degrees during the Winter. Provider: Austell Gas.

[cityrover]

Read your own meter, you might be surprised. Do the same for the water.

600$ for gas in this area will cover a 6000ft+ mini mansion

[nbirchie]

Check was performed by some company...no leak....she was going to change thermostat also...just in case...

[nbirchie]

Well, it came down that Buford Gas was computing in error. My sister got a credit to her acct for a couple hundred dollars....Something like charging "example" 0.1 instead of 00.1 per therma or vice versa...Thanks for all the info and help...