Now I want you to get out of copy
of your electric bill, There are a number of things that you want to look for.
If you don't have a copy of your bill, go to
your electric company's web site,
and there
will probably be a copy of your last bill online.
There are
the key points to identify on your bill.
1. Your account number (it is circled at the top right on the bill on the right)
2. Is the name on the bill your correct name?
3. Are the house number and street name correct?
4. Are the
building or unit or apartment number correct?
5. Your meter number and rate-make sure your billing rate
is correct. At right you see a billing rate of
001 . This indicates non electric heat. If you had electric heat, the
billing rate would be 005. This would be a cheaper rate that you
would be entitled to. 
6. The billing period -A normal billing period is 30 days. In the
example to the above right the billing period is 35 days. This is 5 days and
almost 17% more than normal. That means that for every $100 you are normally
billed you are now billed $117 A $300 bill would be raised to $351.
7. Reading type; estimated or actual -see explanation below and please do not
skip reading the link entitled "Electric
meters".
An estimated bill means the meter
reader could not visually read your meter, so
your bill was estimated by your electric company based on your past
usage usually from one year before on the same month. In the graph below left in
the red circle you can see that months actually read are solid black bars and
estimated readings would be white bars. If you're bill was estimated, you want to determine why and get it
corrected so the actual read can be gotten by the meter reader. The usual
problem is that the electric company cannot gain access to the meter because it
is in an locked cellar or some other area that is locked or inaccessible. Even in a locked
cellar, an AMR meter can be read electronically, so your meter reading will
never be estimated. An AMR meter is an electric meter that can be read without
the aid of the meter reader. It does this by sending out a radio signal
that is picked up in a variety of ways by your electric company. If you
see it indicated on your bill that you did have an estimated read, then you
probably don't have an AMR. Ask a company representative when you speak to one
in the next section to be sure if you have
an AMR. If you do not, ask the rep why your reads are being estimated and then
try to correct the problem. If you do have an AMR and your readings are being estimated, then
you may have a defective AMR or your meter is in an area that will not allow its
signal to reach the company. Find out from the company rep if this is the case
and ask to get it corrected.
OK, have you got all that? Note if anything was incorrect on your bill, and we will head onto the next step, How to talk to the Electric Company Representative.
Disclaimer: Even small amounts of electricity can kill you. If you are unsure of what you are doing at any time as you read this web page, I urge you to stop and consult with a licensed, qualified electrician. The small cost of professional assistance may mean the difference between a job successfully completed and a tragic ending. Do not risk injury or death if you are not exactly sure of what you are doing. We take no responsibility for damage, injury or death.