Edison rant

[RStar]

My electric bill from Socal Edison runs $60-100 normally. Running fans during the heat of the summer and the heater during cold winter days take it to the higher end, and at Christmas it can go as high as $120 from the massive decorating I do and all of the holiday cooking with my electric appliances.

Two years ago I switched over to all LED Christmas lights. My bill stayed at the approx $60 it was the month before. I was extremely pleased, as the strings are only (I think I read on the tag) 0.4 watts each.

Then I got my bill a few days ago. Over $500!

They say on my bill "actual read" of the meter, but I think they have been guessing. It's difficult to see my meter in the back yard, so I think the meter reader was being lazy. Catching up all at once has kicked me into tier 5, the most expensive price. This isn't fair! And at a time when I'm off work for a month after foot surgery!

They are sending someone to make sure the meter reading is correct, and make sure someone is not stealing power from me. Perhaps I have a pot farm instalation down the road!

So, the only recourse I can see is if they charge me the KWH in tier 1, but I'll still owe an extra $300 I can't afford right now. Maybe they'll let me pay it off over a set amount of time.

I just don't need this stress right now. It's not my fault they didn't read the meter right! I don't read my water or gas meters either to check they are right. Is that what they expect people to do?

/rant