Gas Bill seems high (Washington: apartment, condo, appliances)

[Javax]

Hey there,

I just moved into a new apartment that only uses gas for the hot water heater. Well, I just got my first bill and it was $114 without the deposit and service initiation fee . Isn't that a little too high for only 20 days of service in a 1 bedroom apartment? My stove and A/C are all electric. I called Washington Gas, but I received some of the rudest and most aggressive customer service I have ever seen. I couldn't understand what the rep was saying either. I don't think she was American at all.

Is there anyone besides, Washington Gas that I could call to dispute this? How much do you all pay for gas year round?


Thanks in advance

[HokieFan]

That does seem excessive.

My 3 story townhouse is heated by a gas furnace, and we have a gas powered water heater and oven/stove. Our bill for November is $106.

I'm not sure how you can better contest the amount. Maybe call back and hopefully get a more helpful rep. Maybe call your landlord to see if they will pay for a service call to ensure the water heater is running efficiently.

[North Beach Person]

It may well have been an estimated bill. also. The companies have sort of algorithm that takes into account previous usage and degree-days. They don't really care what appliances you have when they figure it out.

[sullyguy]

Did the bill include use prior to your tenancy?

[reebo]

Also, this was the month to adjust if your bill was on the budget plan and the plan didn't charge you quite enough each month. Our bill was $100 more than it usually is to cover the shortfall.

[Javax]

Originally Posted by HokieFan

That does seem excessive.

My 3 story townhouse is heated by a gas furnace, and we have a gas powered water heater and oven/stove. Our bill for November is $106.

I'm not sure how you can better contest the amount. Maybe call back and hopefully get a more helpful rep. Maybe call your landlord to see if they will pay for a service call to ensure the water heater is running efficiently.

I will call my the property owners today. Thanks for responding.

[Javax]

Originally Posted by sullyguy

Did the bill include use prior to your tenancy?

This is my first time using Washington Gas. So far, I am not liking them. The customer service I received was so appalling. I am really shocked at how I was treated.

[dmv101010]

Washington Gas customer for years, our condo was a one bedroom on the ground floor gas/range and heat and hot water, bill was about that a month for 2 people living in the unit in the winter.

Fast forward to my 3,000 SGFT house I just recieved the highest bill ever of 190/month for December gas fireplace/hot water and heat stove is electric.
My jaw dropped as the basement is not really heated and the 3rd floor always feels cold to me, I keep the hose at 73.

[mikecart1]

My bill is usually ~$65 but last month I got the awesome idea of bringing in one of those space heaters. Big mistake! After using it just to heat the room for showering ~ 10 hours the entire month, my bill went up to nearly $100.

I eliminated the space heater and went back to my way of heating the apartment like a true engineer.

1. 65-70F and wear clothes if cold
2. Turn off heater when you leave

This goes against what the landlord 'recommended' on how to save $ on electricity. I was told to leave the thermostat set at the same temp 24/7. This makes the furnace work 'less'. Whatever that means. Using my engineering skills, I realized one thing - there is a reason why they are selling places to live and why I engineer. It makes no sense to leave the thermostat set to xF when you are not home for 8 hours+ or more during the day.

Yeah kind of off topic. Moral of story: don't use a space heater and don't leave your furnace/AC on when no one is at home.

[airjay75]

Originally Posted by mikecart1

This goes against what the landlord 'recommended' on how to save $ on electricity. I was told to leave the thermostat set at the same temp 24/7. This makes the furnace work 'less'. Whatever that means.

That sounds like advice that would be applicable if you have a heat pump with electric auxiliary/emergency heat. If that is the case, your landlord would be correct, at least from the research I have done this past year since buying a home with such an HVAC system. Heating with a natural gas furnace is different - there is usually savings to be had every time you turn down the thermostat.