Another Monday...what does your week hold in store for you?

[NHSparky]

Nice weather?  What's that?  Oh yeah--I live in NH, home of six weeks of crappy skiing weather per year. 

Farmer's Almanac is also predicting a colder/drier than normal winter.  Whee, just what I needed after the cold snap last year.

[BEG]

Ah, yes--baseline charges...only problem is, the "baseline" for the average home was probably devised about 1910 and hasn't been adjusted since, which means it's virtually IMPOSSIBLE to get anywhere near that low of consumption.  At least I got a 25 percent discount when I was working for SCE.

That especially becomes fun when you get the Santa Ana's blowing through.  Try living on the other side of the Cajon Pass.  Some family friends live towards Apple Valley/Victorville (not even as hot as Barstow).  Their first month in their new home was June.  Their bill?  $1100.

At least getting to/from the airport isn't as horrible as some places, especially with the shuttle services.  If he's going to do a lot of back and forth between there and Dallas, look into John Wayne--a lot easier to get in and out and not as crowded.

Oh, and check your PM.  I sent you the name of a dentist--PHENOMENAL guy, if you don't mind driving to FV.  He takes just about all insurance and his work is top-notch.

Our rate in Dallas was like .11 cents or something all the time, there was no tier crap.  Also we had competition, several different electric companies to choose from.  Yet another example of how competition works.  I hate this stupid ass state. 

My husband is going to Apple today (just for the day) for a super top secret meeting.  LOL it's not top secret.     He wont be going to Dallas anymore as they brought everyone from Dallas here.  Then they let go 80 or so people last week through out the company (no one in my husbands group)....I swear I don't understand this company.  They still had several more years on their lease in Dallas and had spent a ton of money remodeling the place only to pull out now and spend yet another ton of money moving everyone here.  It doesn't make sense. 

[debk]

I'm turning green with mold, growing webs between fingers and toes....and thinking of building an Ark....

We are having the most ridiculous amount of rain!!!!! During the night....for over an hour....it was like our house was under a fire hose, it was raining so hard. Fox just had an extreme weather alert on....there is so much more to the south of us heading this way.... This is really getting depressing. Fox said Atlanta has had over 20 INCHES of rain in the last 3 days. Don't know how much we've had. The weather guy said yesterday that the airport rain gauge is very inaccurate as it has rained as much as 6-10 inches in some places. I know we had a torrential downpour the other day....my friend who lives 5 minutes from me, only had a few drops....

Went to Chattanooga yesterday, with a friend, in lots of rain...what should have taken an hour and a half at most, took us almost 4 hours!! Got stopped for 3 accidents....if we hadn't stopped to go potty after the second one...we could have been in the third! There was another one on the southbound side as we were coming home that had the whole interstate (I75) stopped because it was on a bridge over the TN river.

Kind of caught up on work, kind of caught up on housework, need to do laundry, can't work outside....going to curl up with a Jonathan Kellerman and read this afternoon....best way to spend a rainy day.

[NHSparky]

11 cents per KwH?  I'm jealous.  Up here, by the time you get done with the generation charges, transmission charges, taxes, and other assorted crap, it runs about 16-17 cents per KwH.  Last month's bill was my largest ever ($110) because it was the first and only month I ran the window A/C.  Total power consumption: 653 KwH, or an average cost of right at 17 cents per.  Even with SCE, my rate didn't hit that much unless we went over 200 percent of baseline, which IIRC for the area, was something like what you have.

Your baseline can be found HERE.

Also, if you go HERE and go to slide number 9, you'll get an idea of the rates you pay per KwH.  All I can say is, insane.  Totally insane.

[BEG]

11 cents per KwH?  I'm jealous.  Up here, by the time you get done with the generation charges, transmission charges, taxes, and other assorted crap, it runs about 16-17 cents per KwH.  Last month's bill was my largest ever ($110) because it was the first and only month I ran the window A/C.  Total power consumption: 653 KwH, or an average cost of right at 17 cents per.  Even with SCE, my rate didn't hit that much unless we went over 200 percent of baseline, which IIRC for the area, was something like what you have.

Your baseline can be found HERE.

Also, if you go HERE and go to slide number 9, you'll get an idea of the rates you pay per KwH.  All I can say is, insane.  Totally insane.

Apparently I got the kilowatt abbreviation wrong.  LOL  Anyway, don't be jealous, that 11 cents was for Dallas so I don't have that rate any more.     The other day I was reading information on other companies you can use but are billed through Edison.  Do you know anything about it?  I've been trying to find it online again and I can't. 

On a good note, some guy just came by handing out flyers to trim trees.  He asked me to give it to my mom or dad.   

[BEG]

Another question Sparky.  What is this Paramedic Fee ($42) on my water bill?  It says it is optional.  I guess I could call and ask but this is easier.    This stupid state has all kinds of fees.

[NHSparky]

Welcome to California.  Honestly, I don't remember getting anything like that on my water bill (I'm assuming it's from city of Fullerton?) from Fountain Valley. 

[Chris]

Dammit, its raining again.

[Eupher]

Well, I'm recovering from my weekend spent in OK City.

Attended a reunion of the Associated of Retired Military Musicians. You know, it's the place to go to tell lies and drink faux beer.

[debk]

Dammit, its raining again.

You mean it quit for longer than 30 minutes in the last 6 days?

[bijou]

Another question Sparky.  What is this Paramedic Fee ($42) on my water bill?  It says it is optional.  I guess I could call and ask but this is easier.    This stupid state has all kinds of fees.

Insurance, in case you faint with shock at the size of the bill.

[BEG]

Insurance, in case you faint with shock at the size of the bill.

LOL  I actually looked it up.  It's a yearly fee to cover paramedic fee's which are $250 for Basic Life Support and $500 for Advanced Life Support.  Insurance should cover it so I guess it is for people who don't have insurance or their insurance doesn't cover paramedic fees.

[Eupher]

LOL  I actually looked it up.  It's a yearly fee to cover paramedic fee's which are $250 for Basic Life Support and $500 for Advanced Life Support.  Insurance should cover it so I guess it is for people who don't have insurance or their insurance doesn't cover paramedic fees.

Oh, we're illegals and can't pay the bill to begin with.

Would it be okay to have the Advanced Life Support option, just in case we decide to OD on some crack?

Is there a customer service rep we can talk with about this? And who can we get to pick up the bill to begin with? Since we're illegals, we can't pay. But we're entitled to this utility, aren't we? I mean, this is California, right?

Anxiously awaiting your reply,

Juan and Julio Garcia

(Yeah, we're gay too. You gotta problem with that?)  

[BEG]

Oh, we're illegals and can't pay the bill to begin with.

Would it be okay to have the Advanced Life Support option, just in case we decide to OD on some crack?

Is there a customer service rep we can talk with about this? And who can we get to pick up the bill to begin with? Since we're illegals, we can't pay. But we're entitled to this utility, aren't we? I mean, this is California, right?

Anxiously awaiting your reply,

Juan and Julio Garcia

(Yeah, we're gay too. You gotta problem with that?)  

LOL made me laugh.

*edited to add: It's an optional fee.  I think if you pay the $42 a year then you wont be charged anything if you should need the service. 

[Chris_]

You mean it quit for longer than 30 minutes in the last 6 days?

Sun is shining brightly here in the middle right now.   

[debk]

Sun is shining brightly here in the middle right now.   

 

it's raining.....there's a rumor it might stop sometime tomorrow afternoon..

[Flame]

LOL  I actually looked it up.  It's a yearly fee to cover paramedic fee's which are $250 for Basic Life Support and $500 for Advanced Life Support.  Insurance should cover it so I guess it is for people who don't have insurance or their insurance doesn't cover paramedic fees.

You'd think, but I would double check...we have to pay a similar fee here, regardless of insurance.  Yeah, I think it's stupid, too.

[Hawkgirl]

Tomorrow I am bringing my car in to get checked...the A/C is making a loud, roaring noise.
Friday, I'm meeting with the builder to iron out some details before they start demolition on my house.
I'll be packing up valubles and collection items that I do not want the movers to handle.

I've been told the permit will take a month, which means I'll be living at mom & dad's until they can relocate us to temporary housing.  Now, I love my mom and dad...but living with them...not so much.

[Celtic Rose]

*perk*  Did someone say workout?

 

Yes, to make me a hottie 

[BEG]

You'd think, but I would double check...we have to pay a similar fee here, regardless of insurance.  Yeah, I think it's stupid, too.

It says optional on the bill.

[NHSparky]

Yes, to make me a hottie 

More than you are already?  Can the menfolk handle that?

[vesta111]

Welcome to California.  Honestly, I don't remember getting anything like that on my water bill (I'm assuming it's from city of Fullerton?) from Fountain Valley. 

Question, is it possible to have a electrial leak in a home.?

The neighbor has a bill of $60.00 a month, his wife is retired and watches TV and on the PC all day in the summer.   My bill is for $120.00 a month with all STAR appliances and empty of people 12 hours a day.     

I have gone so far as to unplug everything including washer and dryer, when not in use.

Could it be that my PC that is on 24/7 is running up the cost, or some kind of electrical leak that has not blown us up yet.?

Any hints or advice to cut even Penny's off the electric bills.?

[NHSparky]

Electrical "leak"?  Those are called short circuits, dear.  And no, you'd know it.  Your utility company can do an assessment for you to help you keep your bills down.  If you're on a fixed/low income, they'll help you with discounts.  Call them.

[BEG]

Question, is it possible to have a electrial leak in a home.?

The neighbor has a bill of $60.00 a month, his wife is retired and watches TV and on the PC all day in the summer.   My bill is for $120.00 a month with all STAR appliances and empty of people 12 hours a day.     

I have gone so far as to unplug everything including washer and dryer, when not in use.

Could it be that my PC that is on 24/7 is running up the cost, or some kind of electrical leak that has not blown us up yet.?

Any hints or advice to cut even Penny's off the electric bills.?

On the Edison website they list 10 energy guzzlers

#1 - Evaporative Cooler
#2 - Freezer
#3 - Refrigerator
#4 - Dishwasher
#5 - Electric Stove
#6 - Plasma TV
#7 - Portable Heater
#8 - Clothes Dryer
#9 - Central Air Conditioner
#10 - Pool Pump

Do you use incandescent or halogen lamps? Switch to CFLs and save up to $30 in electricity costs over the life of each bulb by using 75% less energy.

Do you have a window or wall-mounted room air conditioner? A new ENERGY STAR® room air conditioner can lower your electricity bill. Plus, get up to $50 in rebates.

Do you have a refrigerator or freezer that's 10 or more years old? A newer ENERGY STAR® model uses up to 50% less electricity than your old one. That's why we'll give you a $50 rebate good towards its purchase, as well as an additional $50 when you get rid of your old, working refrigerator or freezer. Plus, we'll haul it away for FREE.

Do you have an evaporative cooling system? A new, energy-efficient evaporative cooling system can lower your electricity bill. Act now and get up to $600* per unit in rebates.

Do you need to replace your pool pump? If you replace pool pump with an energy-efficient variable-speed or two-speed model, you'll get a $200 rebate. Not only will you reduce the energy used to operate your pool pump by as much as 50%, you'll also save over $400 annually.

We have a pool pump, a plasma TV, an old refrigerator/freezer that we store extra meat and drinks in, a dishwasher, central air, a clothes dryer (use to have electric but now have gas) and have a gas cooktop but an electric oven.  The only thing I am wiling to get rid of is the old refrigerator/freezer in the garage.  Although I tend to buy meat when it's on sale and freeze which I will have to stop if I plan on getting rid of it.  I read on their website that it costs about $25 a month to run a fridge.  I'd like to replace the plasma TV for an LCD TV but I have to wait for our plasma to die first. 

[debk]

On the Edison website they list 10 energy guzzlers

We have a pool pump, a plasma TV, an old refrigerator/freezer that we store extra meat and drinks in, a dishwasher, central air, a clothes dryer (use to have electric but now have gas) and have a gas cooktop but an electric oven.  The only thing I am wiling to get rid of is the old refrigerator/freezer in the garage.  Although I tend to buy meat when it's on sale and freeze which I will have to stop if I plan on getting rid of it.  I read on their website that it costs about $25 a month to run a fridge.  I'd like to replace the plasma TV for an LCD TV but I have to wait for our plasma to die first. 

We have a pool pump too, but I hate to think of what it would cost to replace it... ...however, it's about time to close the pool.

My freezer is at least 20 yrs old....I want to replace it, but was told I have to wait for it to die first. 

My cooktop and dryer are both gas, and we thermal heat our floors on the main level which pretty much heats the upstairs unless it's really cold. It's rare for me to run the dishwasher every day.

I don't think mine's going to get reduced much unfortunately....