Asked by Anonymous - Why electric bill is high: What would cause my electric bill to be so high since I just moved into the upper unit of a townhouse and it just under 1 month time the electric cost was $290 ?  I am not even home that much so lights arent on often, do the normal stuff like laundry machine running but not out of ordinary.  Its not like showers are always running, one a day.  I'm not really having a bunch of lights on all the time or anything that I can see unusual.

Anonymous Says: That bill sounds high to me. My bill costs around $145 in summer from running a/c and around $105 in winter as I dont need much heat.  Yours seems high but of course different states matters alot.  Lights wont really matter that much, think of it as all the things with the large plug ins.  Over, fridge, wash machine and dryer, freezer, water heater, a/c and heater.  Lights really wont run up your bill, those other things are the big consumers of electricity in your house.  If your house isnt insulated well and you run a/c and heater 24 hours a day and it never shuts off, then that will cost more obviously.

Anonymous Says: The age of your appliances can matter alot too.  A really old freezer for example vs a new modern one.  Even though lights wont make a big difference you should always get led lights to replace those old long tube lights.  Not only is LED way brighter, but you can dim them with dimmer switches and they will last probably 10 years or more.

Anonymous Says: You didnt say what state you are in.  Dont forget some states like california has so many ridiculous taxes that they pile on to your costs which make your electrical much higher.  New York is loaded with taxes also.  If you live in those areas it matters alot so that may be adding to your costs.

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