Does Your Power Bill Increase In December?

Our power cost increases, because although we have gas heat, it is moved by electric fans. It is darker, longer, so we use more lights. We cook more, with our stove and oven, not our microwave.The television is on for more hours. It all adds up. Our increases still seem to reflect the weather for the most part. We are in a situation unlike most communities. Our electricity, trash, sewer, and water are all combined on one bill. They do not read the water meter in the winter, but insulate it, and then they hit us with a big bill for water in the spring. Sewer is based on a formula that relates to water usage. I agree, unless you are actually keeping daily readings yourself, you probably will not win a battle with the power company.

Ours do not. Our coldest month is in January, but since it goes dark early and I do not like stumbling around in the dark, we do have high heating and electrical bills. You could fight it, and show proof that you did not put up any Christmas lights. I have no idea how to win an argument. I think it is like when the gas bills go up in summer time. The time when the people use power the mos or when it gets coldest is when it goes up.

It does seem to. You should have a meter outside that you can read. They have to go by that. Did they estimate? I would definitely check.

Often times the power company will estimate the monthly bill based on previous years usage. We are using LED lights this year in an attempt to save on our bill. I hope that they don't base our bill on last year's usage.

Our's goes up a bit. I'm not sure what it will due this year since we've switched to those energy saving lightbulbs, and we haven't really done any decorating this year, so I'm not sure what will happen. However, normally, we end up paying a few hundred more than usual. I'm really hoping that switching our lightbulbs, and my new energy conservation program while at home helps our bill a bit. It's just too high anyway.

Not sure its always in Dec. But it always goes up in the winter. I don't think there is a way to win an argument with the power company. Last yr Jul '06 we had a bad storm here. We lost power for a week, as did a number of people. Not like we got a refund. That would be a historical event.

Our power bill stays pretty consistent, but we don't turn our heat on in the winter, nor do we use air conditioning in the summer. And we work evenings, so our light usage doesn't go up. Our computer runs a lot all year round. I think that if we didn't live in an apartment that was right above the boiler room, our bill would go up because of the extra heat. And if we didn't work evenings, we'd use more light in the winter. So I'd expect my bill to be higher from December - April.

I haven't noticed our power bill but our gas bill always seems to increase around about this time. Its always based on estimations and over the past two months bills we have disputed both of them. They are sending out a technician to come and read our meter - they always charge us around $200-300 and i tell ya, we don't even use $50 worth of gas. We always check their numbers against our meter - not sure how they read it as we are on the second floor of a 4 story apartment block. We always win though.

I think my bro determines how much people have to pay the utilities. Then my landlord has to pay it.

Mine does, with the extra lights on due to Christmas, as well as the air-conditioning being on most of the day (Summer here in Australia), it sure does. And also it is the holiday period too so people are home more often which also adds to the electricity bill as well.

I do not think Christmas lights contribute significantly to any power increase, because Christmas tree lights do not consume much electricity especially if one does not turn them on that frequently or for long hours. For my household, our electricity bill is usually lower for December. That's because my wife and I usually go on a longer holiday break in December. But I would say for the rest of the year, our electricity consumption is fairly constant and stable. What really goes up is my water bill, and that is so ever since my new maid arrived. I realized that we are now consuming more water because my maid bathes twice a day, and she also washes her hair everyday. Good thing my overall utilities bill is still at a manageable level.

Isn't it annoying when the power company gets to rule us! I know for us it is darker in December and though we do have gas heat it has an electric firing and that it runs a lot more so that sets it up a bit more. With the lights on more for lighting and the dryer running instead of hanging clothes outside to dry (though I am becoming more and more tempted...LOL) it can add up fast. My kids and I have a "game" we play to see how low we can get our power bill each month. We have lived in our house nearly 4 years and November of 2007 so far is the winner at $196!! Seriously, that is the LOWEST bill we have ever had in this house. Summer or winter! We try to turn off lights and items not being used. We unplug appliances not in use (i.e. the toaster, the microwave, coffeemaker, keep computers off when not in use etc) it has made a huge difference! Our highest power bill was $325!!!!! So we have made great progress!! Though it will be higher this month with our Christmas lights I do not anticipate it being too much higher. We only run them for a few hours and as I said, lights and such are off when not in use. Good luck. The power company will always be ahead unless you are off the grid with a generator and a wood or gas stove!

My power bill doesnt increase in December.However, i can understand that its a trick used in your country, and hope it isnt used here as well :) They suppose everyone uses Christmas lights for the decorations and they got an excuse for charging more.Insanity!I doubt if anyone can win an argument against the company.However, i am happy that they finally pay for the electronic devices destroyed or burned from power surges.Thats a good step forward from them in my country.