Let's talk about FPL bills. Did yours go up drastically the past few months? (coupons, apartments) - Fort Lauderdale area - Florida (FL) -Broward County - City-Data Forum

dirtymartini · 07-07-2010, 07:34 PM

Background-I am a native South Floridian. Been paying FPL bills for quite awhile now. Of course the bills are higher in the summer. I get that.

In April or May, an FPL worker knocked on the door to replace our old meter with some newfangled digital one. I had a bad feeling about that, but what could I do? I see they replaced all the neighbors' meters with digital.

In April, my FPL bill was $130. In May, it was $150. In June, it was $250...and this month it is $320.

I have only lived in this house a year. 2100 sq ft, built in the mid 70's, 8ft ceilings.

I knew $130 was too good to be true. I just knew it! *sob*

Tell me about your electric bill, and also if any of you know anything about these new meters. Thanks!

southfl1 · 07-07-2010, 09:43 PM

You just hit a sore spot with me...I don't want to discuss my $700+bill this month....does anyone have a shoulder I can cry on?

I'm thinking of taking up my handymans suggestion that we put this white coat on our roof that acts as a reflectant....most of our roof is flat and it's hotter than hell up there. This stuff that gets put on is like an epoxy actually is white and is supposed to cool down the roof and reduce the a/c. Who knows. This is a first for me as I always had the S-Tile roof.

fauve · 07-08-2010, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtymartini

Background-I am a native South Floridian. Been paying FPL bills for quite awhile now. Of course the bills are higher in the summer. I get that.

In April or May, an FPL worker knocked on the door to replace our old meter with some newfangled digital one. I had a bad feeling about that, but what could I do? I see they replaced all the neighbors' meters with digital.

In April, my FPL bill was $130. In May, it was $150. In June, it was $250...and this month it is $320.

I have only lived in this house a year. 2100 sq ft, built in the mid 70's, 8ft ceilings.

I knew $130 was too good to be true. I just knew it! *sob*

Tell me about your electric bill, and also if any of you know anything about these new meters. Thanks!

Exact same story even down to the guy who replaced my meter with a digital one. I hadn't made that connection...just writing it off to a cool winter and a spring-like spring. Interesting thought. We didnt move in till the end of October, so I dont even have last year to compare it to. How were your bills last summer?

dirtymartini · 07-08-2010, 05:56 AM

Well, fauve-you gotta know my conspiracy theorist hubby was all over the installation of the digital meter!

I am glad you made me actually look at my past bills...I registered at FPL to view the past year. Funny how I forgot about those high bills last summer! Date Service
Days KWH
Used Debit
Amount Description
of
Charges
07/02/2010292822 $320.38Electric Bill
06/03/2010302302 $256.82Electric Bill
05/04/2010291444 $152.32Electric Bill
04/05/2010311259 $130.94Electric Bill
03/05/2010291422 $150.95Electric Bill
02/04/2010301907 $213.99Electric Bill
01/05/2010341785 $198.72Electric Bill
12/02/2009331633 $206.50Electric Bill
10/30/2009291908 $238.92Electric Bill
10/01/2009301872 $233.91Electric Bill
09/01/2009292560 $329.61Electric Bill
08/03/2009322544 $322.74Electric Bill
07/02/2009292340 $294.78Electric Bill
06/03/2009301821 $226.47Electric Bill
05/04/2009311050 $120.53Electric Bill
04/06/2009876 $10.32Electric Bill
04/04/2009..$14.88Service Charge

I do remember, though...we kind of assumed they were because of all of the work being done on the house that used electricity, plus we had a lot of doors open going in and out, etc. I remember in our last home (1300 sq ft townhouse) it varied within $100.

southfl1-how many sq ft is your house, and do you have high ceilings? I was obsessed with electricity bills, even when looking at houses. I love soaring ceilings, but whenever we looked at a house with them, I would mumble to my DH about having to pay to cool that wasted area. Trust me, we are spending $$$ in other ways, so I am not saying it like "I am so smart." For some reason, I am just really "into" saving on electricity and also on taxes. If you ever saw my Publix bill, you would see that THAT is where I am very lazy when it comes to budgeting and shopping smart!

namomof3 · 07-08-2010, 06:00 AM

yea... Our bill has been $200+/month for a 3 bdrm apt. and we about lost out mind! I'm wondering if the high ceilings in this apt. have a lot to do with it? We were used to paying maybe 70-80 bucks in the midwest. Did not really take that "cost of living" expense into account at the time of relocation.

namomof3 · 07-08-2010, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtymartini

Well, fauve-you gotta know my conspiracy theorist hubby was all over the installation of the digital meter!

I am glad you made me actually look at my past bills...I registered at FPL to view the past year. Funny how I forgot about those high bills last summer! Date Service
Days KWH
Used Debit
Amount Description
of
Charges
07/02/2010292822 $320.38Electric Bill
06/03/2010302302 $256.82Electric Bill
05/04/2010291444 $152.32Electric Bill
04/05/2010311259 $130.94Electric Bill
03/05/2010291422 $150.95Electric Bill
02/04/2010301907 $213.99Electric Bill
01/05/2010341785 $198.72Electric Bill
12/02/2009331633 $206.50Electric Bill
10/30/2009291908 $238.92Electric Bill
10/01/2009301872 $233.91Electric Bill
09/01/2009292560 $329.61Electric Bill
08/03/2009322544 $322.74Electric Bill
07/02/2009292340 $294.78Electric Bill
06/03/2009301821 $226.47Electric Bill
05/04/2009311050 $120.53Electric Bill
04/06/2009876 $10.32Electric Bill
04/04/2009..$14.88Service Charge

I do remember, though...we kind of assumed they were because of all of the work being done on the house that used electricity, plus we had a lot of doors open going in and out, etc. I remember in our last home (1300 sq ft townhouse) it varied within $100.

southfl1-how many sq ft is your house, and do you have high ceilings? I was obsessed with electricity bills, even when looking at houses. I love soaring ceilings, but whenever we looked at a house with them, I would mumble to my DH about having to pay to cool that wasted area. Trust me, we are spending $$$ in other ways, so I am not saying it like "I am so smart." For some reason, I am just really "into" saving on electricity and also on taxes. If you ever saw my Publix bill, you would see that THAT is where I am very lazy when it comes to budgeting and shopping smart!

Yes I cringe when I go to publix! I was going to winn dixie but got lazy. Feeding a family of 5 is so darn expensive out here- I tried to download one of those coupon toolbars last yearbut it gave my computer a virus and crashed the hard drive (all to save a few dollars/week)

I'm gonna have to look into the coupons again though~

fauve · 07-08-2010, 10:09 AM

I just wrote about this in another thread. Seriously, we eat much better (organics, etc.) and spend MUCH less shopping at Costco - plus, shop less frequently because there's always food due to the bulk purchasing. And, if you get the $100 membership, you get 3% back each year. This year we got a check for $87 which pretty much covers the membership cost...

dirtymartini · 07-08-2010, 10:28 AM

namom-hmmm...how many sq ft is the apt? My 1300 sq ft townhouse was fairly new (built in mid 90s) and well insulated and it had 9 ft ceilings. $200 was about the top range of the electric bill. It really is a bummer...and my DH likes our house pretty cold so I am sure we could probably save a bit if he'd let me jack up the thermostat at night!

fauve-Really? hmmm, lemme just say I only have one child and when I buy in bulk, seems like stuff goes bad too quickly. I admit, I have *tried* to get into shopping at Costco/BJs/Sam's Club but I am having a hard time! I just don't *like* it which sounds like a pouty child...but it is the truth. I just feel overwhelmed and discombobulated in those stores. I think if I FORCED myself to do it regularly, I would get into the swing of it. How often do you shop at Costco? Do you supplement with items from Publix? And if so, what do you get at Publix vs Costco?

I go to Doris or WF for fish. I love fish but refuse to buy it at Publix anymore...just had a few issues with freshness. I wish I could shop at WF for everything. I LOVVVVE that place, but damn if it ain't pricey!

Tell me more about Costco....try to "sell" me on it. I need help with my grocery budget!

JimboUSMC17 · 07-08-2010, 10:36 AM

Wow, you all pay a lot. My bill last month was $87.00 but then agaibn our A/C wasn't functioning correctly for about a week and a half. But the bill before that was approx. $165. And that is for a 3/2 single family home.

And when I mean "You all" I mean those with apartments or townhouses.

dirtymartini · 07-08-2010, 10:49 AM

Hi Jim! How many sq ft is your house, and when was it built...and does it have high ceilings? Just curious. I am always amazed at how "all over the board" electric bills can be!

I know that good insulation has something to do with it. Also, we have a pool pump so I think that adds to the bill...but we have it on a timer to run 4 hours a day only.