Power bills too much for customers

WTOP has been hearing for days now from customers who've been shocked by how high their bills have been this month.

Customers are complaining that their bills have jumped 100 percent compared to a year ago.

One Pepco customer says her January bill was the highest it has ever been in 20 years. She paid $479 last month.

A Dominion Power customer who uses gas heat paid a $548 bill.

However, those bills may not look so bad compared to one Baltimore Gas and Electric customer who says he paid $1,031 last month for service.

Customers are asking what gives?

It is the time of year where customers will see their bills rise because it is colder outside, says Linda Foy, BGE spokesperson. She also says usage is up.

"While November may have had several warm days-- December and January were colder," says Clay Anderson, Pepco spokesman.

BGE has heard from plenty of customers who say they aren't doing anything different from a year ago and they aren't changing their thermostat levels, says Foy.

There are a lot of things that can affect a bill. Customers should think about what's going on inside their homes, as well as, cooling temperatures outdoors and how both affect a system.

"If it gets colder outside (and if you are) doing the same thing it will result in a higher bill even if you don't touch your thermostat," Foy says. "Your system is working harder to maintain that pre-set temperature."

BGE purchases natural gas that is used in the winter during the summer months. Typically, prices for natural gas are generally lower. However, natural gas prices increased last summer and decreased in the fall.

The prices that the company paid when purchasing natural gas are factored into what customers are paying now.

Other factors persist for how much customers are paying for utilities.

The holiday season caused a shift in billing cycles for customers in the Washington region, Anderson says.

"If you normally have a 28-day cycle and you go to a 34- or 35-day cycle, then you've (added 7 to 8 days to the bill)," he says. "You could be looking at 15 to 20 percent more to your bill."

Dominion Power customers are paying a higher fuel rate this year. That could be one explanation for the sticker shock they are experiencing.

David Botkins, spokesman for Dominion Power, says despite the fuel rate increase that Dominion customers are paying 6 to 10 percent less for utilities compared to other customers nationally.

Customers can only hope that February will bring some relief.

There a number of things that customers can do to lower bills.

• Lower your thermostat below 73 degrees, customers can save 2 to 4 percent on their bills
• Decrease hot water usage
• Wash clothes in cold water
• Keep blinds/curtains open during the day to allow more natural light; and close them at night to keep the cold air out
• Place weather stripping under doors and window sills
• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs in your home

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