BIG gas bill from Southwest gas (Tucson: HOA, good credit, homes)

[mortimer]

Gas used to be cheaper than electric, but it has gone the way of petroleum and shot up in price over the last few years and it's not going back.

If you have an air conditioner, you can switch. If you have an older air conditioner, you would probably pay for your conversion to a heat pump in short order. The reason is that while your heating would be cheaper, it would also be cheaper to cool your house with a more efficient unit.

An air conditioner is the same as a heat pump, but it only works one-way. A heat pump runs the other direction in the winter and blows warm air through the ducts that blow cold air in the summertime.

Unfortunately, you'll need a decent time horizon because a new heat pump is going to cost $5,000-$10,000 - depending on house size.

[sweettearose]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

The electric company tried to pull this little number on me once. It was an "estimated" bill as if they can't access the meter... Had credit for 2 months after that. They're no different than kids - testing the limits. Hey, if it flies even on a few bills, it's pure profit. Almost like the idea behind the rebates. Let's hope some won't send them.

I forgot to include a key piece of information. I had recently purchased that house prior to moving into it for a month. Southwest Gas had told me they estimated my bill based on prior usage. The previous residents had supposedly used so many therms each month (I doubt it). So when I had the SW Gas employee actually read the meter, suddenly my gas bills were back to levels I was used to paying. I'm glad you responded because I forgot how Southwest Gas told me about their "estimation" policy.

[sweettearose]

Originally Posted by isabella20948

My SWG bill went from $45.32 to $277.00 this month. I am in shock. I called 3 different times to SWG and got the same programed answers from all 3 rep's I spoke with. I had them come out and re-read my meter and of coarse there is nothing wrong. The bill also states included in the $277 charge that $83 of it is for a "DELIVERY CHARGE" I was told that charge is to "deliver the gas to the customer" I just moved here last August, but how do they get away with all the non-sense charges? If I wasn't being charged a "delivery charge my bill would only be $194.00 I don't understand how all the seniors in Sun City can pay all these high utility bills along with these non-sense charges. The same story with APS if you look at your actual usage its alot less than what the bill is with all those added charges. Isn't there anything anyone can do about this? I moved here from Florida, and I didn't have a gas bill but my electric bill was billed to me for my actual usage only no other charges. period. I don't understand....

That definitely sounds like some type of fraud. My bill didn't fluctuate that much. Did you have them check for leaks? Southwest Gas will send someone to check for leaks. It's their job to do so. I would also turn off my gas completely for a few days or hours at a time. I've heard more than a few people tell me that's fixed their problem.

[isabella20948]

How do I turn it off. What do I have to do? I lived in Florida for 18 years and never had gas, everything was electric and my bills were always under $200 in the hot summer and winter months. thanks for the info

[sheena]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

Deposit?! Didn't you have gas before?

No our house was all electric.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by isabella20948

How do I turn it off. What do I have to do? I lived in Florida for 18 years and never had gas, everything was electric and my bills were always under $200 in the hot summer and winter months. thanks for the info

Kiss those low Summer bills goodbye. We are in for another rate hike this Summer, like it matters. Expensive is expensive.

[shadow91]

I'm so glad that I dont have gas!!! My electric bill is enough without having to pay a gas bill.

[ptsum]

You might consider looking into a geothermal system and get rid of the gas altogether, it's a little expensive upfront, but in the long run it will save you money and you don't have to deal with any gas company, it's all electric, and the air in your house will be much cleaner and healthier.

[trudawg]

All I have to say is I CAN'T WAIT TO GET OUT OF MY HOUSE AT THE END OF THE MONTH!!!!
APS, SWG, and Litchfield Park Water, kiss my rear! My utilties total about $400 a month and its JUST ME!

[lulubug]

Thanks to all that have shared their frustrations with me. Someone had mentioned it may be an installation issue... the problem with that theory is that last year the occupants' usage was only a third of what we had reported on our bill.
If I didn't mention it before...I work out of my house and also was laid up for three of the weeks during the billing period of the $295.00 bill. There is no way I could have been laying on my heating pad with the heat cranked on for three weeks and survived.
Thanks too to Albuqueque- who validated that their bill was lower than mine.
I doubt that SW gas is involved in outright fraud- maybe it's a combination of mishandling customer's complaints and human error. They are the ONLY gas company availble in Arizona- so without a competitor to keep them honest and fair- perhaps they have let their integrity slack...