MLGW bills (Memphis, Bolivar: apartment, lease, house)

[psi2007]

Our MLGW bill is ridiculous! Is it normal to pay $500 in the winter months for a place with 1 and 1/2 stories (not 2).
It hasn't been that cold this winter. We put in new high quality windows to insulate etc. No change. We turn lights out etc. I think we're being screwed.

[strumpeace]

You must have gas heat.

When I first moved to Memphis, I rented the top floor of an old house near Overton Park. We had no control over the heat. The lady who lived in the downstairs portion of the house controlled the heat. She ran it constantly starting in October. For a solid month, we had to keep all the windows open to combat the heat. Then the bill came. $900 for one month. We were supposed to pay half. I refused. We moved out without notice. I dared the landlord to sue me. 1)We didn't use or want the heat. 2)No one told us we would have no control over the heat when we signed the lease. We moved and never heard from him again.

Anyway, back to your question -- Yes, if you use gas heat, that bill would not be out of the ordinary. However, NEVER just go along with MLGW if you suspect something is wrong. Call them and tell them that you want to see the actual readings.

[Pearlbob]

It hasn't been that cold, but has your heat been running? It may be running more than you think. Did you turn it down during the day when you were at work?

If you have a 1.5 story home (assuming you have very tall ceilings in part of the house?) that could be a culprit too. $500 does not sound all that absurd to me, as I've known lots of other people to have that or more on their bill in the winter for homes that are NOT that big. Like the previous person mentioned....some people run the heat either on purpose, or without realizing it.

[Pearlbob]

But let me add as well, if you don't think it's right...be sure to inquire with them. I remember living in a home here years ago, and all of a sudden they started reading the meter twice a month and charging me double somehow. I have no clue how that happens and no one notices, but it did.

[lynn0659]

I live in a 2 bedroom apartment very well insulate. I keep 1 bedroom closed off and my thermostat set on 68. I live alone, never cook. I wash clothes and run dishwasher once a week and my bill is still over $200 a month. My parents had a 3500 sq ft house in Bolivar and only paid $125 a month. What is up with MLGW and why do we not have another choice with which utility company to use? We have choices with cable and telephone. Something needs to change.

[strumpeace]

Originally Posted by lynn0659

I live in a 2 bedroom apartment very well insulate. I keep 1 bedroom closed off and my thermostat set on 68. I live alone, never cook. I wash clothes and run dishwasher once a week and my bill is still over $200 a month. My parents had a 3500 sq ft house in Bolivar and only paid $125 a month. What is up with MLGW and why do we not have another choice with which utility company to use? We have choices with cable and telephone. Something needs to change.

Infrastructure is too expensive for competition. That's why we have socialized utilities. Typically, government has to take on most of the burden of paying for infrastructure.

Do you have gas heat, btw? Many people don't realize how extremely expensive natural gas has become over the last five years.

Because MLGW buys power from TVA (which is a federal creation, thus federally subsidized), MLGW's electricity rates are among the lowest in the nation.

[Dd714]

I've heard alot of second hand complaints about MLGW rate reading/measurement capability (fortunely I live over the border).

Basically, it's a crapshot on if they even read your meter or not, or if they read it correctly. The dude may just be entering a meter reading "in the ballpark" and that's the rate you get.