Holy CRAP! All kinds of wrong with this:

Additionally, the meters enable monitoring that could utilize a rate schedule that either charges based on what time of day electricity is being used or charges based on overall demand on the grid. The former example, a “time-of-use” schedule, would charge predetermined rates depending on the time of day. The latter option, known as “dynamic” pricing, would mean that using electricity when there is great demand – like during a heat wave – would cause everybody’s prices to spike.

“If the grid is stressed and all of your most expensive power plants are running, that means that everybody’s power is very expensive at that moment. One option is to charge higher prices during those times and effectively send a signal to customers that this is a time when the grid needs your help, and that you can save a whole lot of money by reducing your load,” Morgan explained.

I'd set the thermostat in the high sixties, wear fleece indoors, and get electric blankets for the needs. turn them on high twenty minutes before bed and it will be toasty when you climb in. But it definitely sounds like something is wrong with the meter and I'd definitely keep on this...escalate to a supervisor if needed, call an electrician, furnace guy etc to make sure everything is tuned up, filters changed and running efficiently.

Anonymous wrote:We got a solar roof a few years back. Best investment ever.
Pepco sends us a check for a few dollars every few months.


Also got an energy audit. And more insulation. Our house now is so comfortable (after all the measures suggested from the energy audit) that we are floored.

We are now in our forever home and are looking to act now to make it comfortable. We got the energy audit - it was very interesting - May I ask who did you get to do your insulation and were you happy with them.

We also had somebody come and talk to us about a solar roof. My dh wants to do it but we don;t know anyone first hand to ask about it. you are obviously happy about it. Who did you go with? Did you put any $ down or just lease the panels, so to speak?

Thanks!

Malfunction somewhere or someone steeling your juice.

In my old townhouse in Silver Spring (sold it 7 years ago), our winter bills were regularly $500 for electric. The culprit? Our ancient furnace and single pane, original windows. It wasn't worth the upgrade for how long we ended up being in the house. But get an energy audit to see what the worst problems are. In the meanwhile, set your thermostat lower and use an electric radiator to keep the important rooms warmer (living room, bedroom). If your windows are drafty - put the plastic or heavy drapes over them.

We use something like this for supplemental heat - they are safer than space heaters, work great, and are more energy efficent.
http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-EW7707CM-Safeheat-ComforTemp-Oil-Filled/dp/B000TGDGLU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391704080&sr=8-1&keywords=oil+filled+radiator+heater

Wow, with a jump that big I'd look into it being some sort of issue with your heat pump or someone using your electricity without your knowledge. We live in a 3500 square foot house that doesn't have the best of insulation (we are slowly repairing it as we find problems) or window seals. We also keep the heat at 73 when it's super cold....and our bill was only $400 this month. 1200 - sounds like something fishy is going on.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is a pretty high temp to have your thermostat set to. Ours is set to 67. I think if your heat pump can't keep up, it goes on emergency heat, which is more expensive, but still your bill seems ridiculously high.

I would call someone to look at your heat pump to see if that's the problem.

67 would be too cold for me. Not everyone can stand being in a cold house. I keep mine at 74-76.

It really depends on the house. My house is 30 years old, wasn't well built anyway, and 68 feels cool but tolerable. 68 in my sister's house feels tropical.

You have a point. Our home is about 35 years old and I need the temp at 74 to be tolerable in this weather.

We got a solar roof a few years back. Best investment ever.
Pepco sends us a check for a few dollars every few months.


Also got an energy audit. And more insulation. Our house now is so comfortable (after all the measures suggested from the energy audit) that we are floored.

Anonymous wrote:Heat pumps (which is what most of us have in this region) are most effective when the outside temps are in the 50's. So, when it gets as cold as it was in January, your heat pump is working very, very hard. I would suspect yours was running on auxiliary since you had the temp set so high. While I get it is a comfort factor (I want to be warm too!), it is necessary to lower the temp in the house when it is that cold and not make your heat pump work so hard.

Other factors to consider:
* how old is your heat pump?
* when was it last serviced?
* have you ever done an energy audit to see if you have deficits in your home? I know we did one on our house and we were essentially living in a gazebo.

Love that wording.

Heat pumps (which is what most of us have in this region) are most effective when the outside temps are in the 50's. So, when it gets as cold as it was in January, your heat pump is working very, very hard. I would suspect yours was running on auxiliary since you had the temp set so high. While I get it is a comfort factor (I want to be warm too!), it is necessary to lower the temp in the house when it is that cold and not make your heat pump work so hard.

Other factors to consider:
* how old is your heat pump?
* when was it last serviced?
* have you ever done an energy audit to see if you have deficits in your home? I know we did one on our house and we were essentially living in a gazebo.

Honestly, I'd assume it is probably a meter-reading error. That's a crazy jump, even for a colder-than-normal month. (For reference, I have a 1,500 SF SFH that I keep at 67 and my gas + electric was about $224, which is about $50 higher than the highest month I've had in the past.

You may want to set the thermostat a bit lower and use a space heater to warm the family room or wherever you spend your time. The bedroom level is still fine, and the main level is just a bit chilly, but the heater helps and it's cheaper than running the extra heat through the whole house.

Anonymous wrote:I keep it between 72 and 73 since its been so cold.

Well you do uunderstand that hiking the thermostat when it gets colder is going to consume a lot more energy. Might want to consider doing the opposite. And we did have quite a few extended periods of polar vortexes and such this part month.

Electric heat is ridiculous for this area... especially when it is getting down around 0. Go read your meter and see if it lines up with your bill. We keep our house 66-68.

They just did a report on this on Fox 5 news this morning. With the cold temperatures everyone bills is extremly high. Mine was 450 and we live in a DC row house.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is a pretty high temp to have your thermostat set to. Ours is set to 67. I think if your heat pump can't keep up, it goes on emergency heat, which is more expensive, but still your bill seems ridiculously high.

I would call someone to look at your heat pump to see if that's the problem.

67 would be too cold for me. Not everyone can stand being in a cold house. I keep mine at 74-76.

It really depends on the house. My house is 30 years old, wasn't well built anyway, and 68 feels cool but tolerable. 68 in my sister's house feels tropical.

It would be cheaper to upgrade to an energy efficient heating system. I'd have someone come and take a look and see what the issue is.