Fairfield Electric=$340 bill in January for a 1 br apartment? (Columbia: apartments, co-op)

[southkakkatlantan]

My most recent electric bill with Fairfield Electric is $340 for a 700-something square foot, one bedroom apartment.

I almost fainted.

But the worst is, I'm guessing, yet to come...for I checked the meter today, and, only 10 days into my billing cycle, I have already surpased my usage from last month! I don't know how this happened. I DO know that a friend of mine, who recently moved out of her boyfriend's place (and I gave a key to my place) had been over my house while I was out of town recently to use my internet. I was out of town for five days. When I came home the heat was on 80.

Now I usually keep it around 68, and yes, I know that this day and age, it needs to be lower. So about 5 days ago I set it to 60. I don't know how I've already managed to surpass my usage from last month though. It just doesn't make any sense...I'm away from the aparment 10 hours a day for work for goodness sake. Could it be an insulation issue? I ask that because I moved from a lower unit to an upper unit a few months ago because the sounds from the person above me were unusually loud--meaning I could hear everytime they flicked on a light switch and loud "hollow" sounds from them simply closing their kitchen cabinets.

At this rate, if my usage continues at anywhere near the rate of the past 10 days, my next bill may be around a grand, and I CANNOT have that happen.

I guess part of me is just venting because I have never had high bills with Georgia Power anywhere NEAR the bills I've had since moving here to Columbia. That is considering this most recent bill AND all of my prior ones since being here with Fairfield Electric.

[DFBonnett]

It is very likely that insulation or rather the lack thereof, is the cause of the heavy electrical usage. Some apartments are built very cheaply with poorly constructed windows and minimal insulation. My first apartment here in Nazi Jerky was all electric, poorly built, and poorly insulated. The winter electric bills were an eye opener.

[forgod21]

No it is Fairfield Elec they are just high period. Other light companies are way cheaper, I know this because we are military and have live other places. We have been away for 2 weeks at a time, my family and I with nothing left on but 1 light and my bill is still almost $200 it is a rip off. Look at your bill Fairfield is a co-op and they charge you different prices, what they want to charge you for usage and the charges are very seldon the same but high all together. In the winter they jack of the prices. You might get a breather in the summer that is when it seems they company give you a break. I know that light company that are not co-op are cheaper.

[Ceezer]

I think Black River (also a co-op, I believe) in Sumter might be the same way. I have 1 less person living with me now who used to leave lights on in multiple rooms (and often times more than one light per room), leave the TV running all day, etc. I also just had a new high-efficiency heat pump put in the week of Thanksgiving, versus the 20 year old unit that was probably too small for the house. Despite these changes, I don't see a difference in my bill.

[trac48]

Power companies, regardless of the name, or the city you live in, all have the same thing in commond. (Get more money). Have you ever wonder why your friends, or the peolpe next door can run their (a/c in the summer, the heat in the winter). Turn their stove on, their dryer, washing machine, dishwasher, all at the same time, and do this everyday for 30 days, and their light bill is around 100 dollars a month, or less, and you don't do any of these things, and your bill is around 500 to 700 dollars a month.? Is this fair to you? NO. Do You know how this is done, and do you want to do something about it. This message is not only for you , but for anyone that is being rip off my these power companies. Looking forward to hearing from you, and others like you.

[glenncagee]

Read your post. And at the end is stated. would you like to know how you can lower that electric bill with Fairfield Electric in South Carolina. Please tell me. Your ideas on this. Thanks Glen.

[DemanoRock]

Crank down the AC to 70 or even 68. Make sure your frig isn't set to too cold. That period of time at 80 degrees will do a hurting to your pocket book. How about water heater? It is set to too hot?

[waccamatt]

My Dominion bill was really high, too.

[johngolf]

One person, 1400 sq ft home with cathedral ceilings and I keep it very warm/comfortable. Last Dom. Energy bill was $218.00. Not bad to me.