Our bill went up quite a bit too. This was particularly disconcerting because we were away for most of the month but the bill was almost twice what it was for the same period last year, when we were here. We called CVPS and they are investigating. They told us that we did not have to pay this bill while they were looking into the problem.
Our bill went up also, and I know there are a couple things that I did not use, that usually draw alot of power. So, I also expected to see my bill lower. So much for the merger & smart meter saving us money, it is now costing us more. We are on a fixed income so this really adds more pressure on the old check book :( Not happy with CVPS rates.
After reading the comments, we're glad that we decided to opt out. We are awaiting the first bill with the addtional $10.00 charge for the physical reading of the meter which is a ridiculous concept.
We did research on the science, health concerns, etc. Even though the experts and CVPS reps tried to assure the public that all was safe and that this was a cost savings to all, we felt compelled to see how it all "shakes" out. And also being on a fixed income, we are not happy to hear of increased charges.
I called cvps and told them that I had not been in the house for the entire billing period...it is a seasonal home. I would say that they have installed a "clever" meter..." they told me that my bill was being adjusted.. I have a 5 room apt. in NYC, and their bill was greater than the bill here.
I am still withholding judgement on whether or not the bill has gone up since there was a rate increase on Jan 1 and I need to correlate my bills with my usage and backout the rate increase... But yes I am paying more, and I cannot easily correlate what they say I used and what the meter says! I will wait for the web-based app to see if it the fault of the meter.
ANOTHER intrusion in our lives by the government. Don't forget the GOVERNMENT may request to see your electric usage at anytime. WHY? So they can control your power and in the process add more control over you! A govermnet by the people, for the people but being co-opted by the politicians!
Our bill reflected that our usage had doubled over the usage during the same month last year. In view of the warmer weather we had this year that does not seem to make sense, unless there is some intervening variable that I am not aware of.
I called cause my bill went up 25.00. When I called, they said it was a computer cliche and it pulled up a 1 1/2 months worth of usage. They said they caught it and I should be getting a correct statement. I wonder if I didn't call if there would have been a corrected bill????? Lets see...time will tell.
Our January kwh consumption was triple and February was double compared with last year. March was back to normal. CVPS re-read and confirmed the amounts were correct. There is no explanation as to why apparent consumption was so high.
I have had the same problems. My bill was over $75 higher in January when I wasn't even home for a week, then it went down by $50 in February and now it's back up another $50. I have been unplugging all unused appliances, don't keep the lights on and quite honestly I can't understand why I have a monthly bill of around $200. It is way out of control.
I only have a minute to post this. The problem with Smart Meters are too myriad to post, but I thought you all should know that the Senate passed S. 214 which would remove the penalty for opting out and make it easier. The House yesterday gutted the bill and inserted all new language which involves renewable energy and only one reference to the Smart Meters.... it appears in the title of the bill, that's it. Please contact Dennis Devereux and ask him to vote against the revised S. 214. His email is ddevereux@leg.state.vt.us
You can look at the bill yourself at:http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/journal/hj120427.pdf page 180 Steven J. Howard
my bill was 65% higher than it has been in the last 13 months! i called cv on monday and told them i wanted the thing removed. the girl said she would investigate and get back to me. haven't heard from them yet. it's coming off one way or the other.
As a follow up on the House's action on S. 214. It went up for a vote yesterday, passed on a vote as amended (without the language that would remove the charge for opting out)and it moves to conference committee. The vote was a voice vote (no rollcall) and Dennis Devereux was absent (excused). So for those of us who opted out and will not be receiving extra services, we get an additional $10-$20 whack on our bill. And those who opted in you will continue to enjoy the questionable benefits (and large increases in billing) brought to you by a smart meter.
Did everyone get a letter and a postcard in advance of the smart meter being installed? When I looked on the website of CVPS, they stated that everyone would be informed a month before the installation. Ours was installed while we were away but we did not receive a letter or postcard informing us of the installation = nor do I remember being given an option to opt-out. Perhaps I overlooked the information - can others shed light on this for me.
I'm not sure if it was the month prior or a few months prior but I did receive notice and an opt-out option explaining that we would get an additional $10 surcharge. However they did install the meter when we were out of town and it caused all kinds of problems to things in my home. I also got a phone call asking if I wanted to participate in a trial program to help with meter usage which would give me a 5% discount all of the time, but it would have certain "peak times" that they will notify me of when the rate would double.... I said no thanks to that one.
As mentioned in an earlier post, we opted out after receiving a letter, then a postcard. It's a good thing we were at home when a smart meter installer showed up and proceeded to put in the smart meter-he claimed to have no information from CVPS re: our opt out. This same installer showed up at another location a few days later where I was posting accounting info on a computer. The lights flickered, all my computer input was lost and I checked outside to find the installation taking place with no warning knock so that I could shut down.
It seems to me that there was lack of coordination between the installation company and CVPS. Very poor planning!!!
Our bill went up quite a bit too. This was particularly disconcerting because we were away for most of the month but the bill was almost twice what it was for the same period last year, when we were here. We called CVPS and they are investigating. They told us that we did not have to pay this bill while they were looking into the problem.
ReplyDeleteMy bill actually went down slightly from same period last year and the previous month.
ReplyDeleteOur bill went up also, and I know there are a couple things that I did not use, that usually draw alot of power. So, I also expected to see my bill lower. So much for the merger & smart meter saving us money, it is now costing us more. We are on a fixed income so this really adds more pressure on the old check book :( Not happy with CVPS rates.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the comments, we're glad that we decided to opt out. We are awaiting the first bill with the addtional $10.00 charge for the physical reading of the meter which is a ridiculous concept.
ReplyDeleteWe did research on the science, health concerns, etc. Even though the experts and CVPS reps tried to assure the public that all was safe and that this was a cost savings to all, we felt compelled to see how it all "shakes" out. And also being on a fixed income, we are not happy to hear of increased charges.
I called cvps and told them that I had not been in the house for the entire billing period...it is a seasonal home.
DeleteI would say that they have installed a "clever" meter..." they told me that my bill was being adjusted..
I have a 5 room apt. in NYC, and their bill was greater than the bill here.
I am still withholding judgement on whether or not the bill has gone up since there was a rate increase on Jan 1 and I need to correlate my bills with my usage and backout the rate increase... But yes I am paying more, and I cannot easily correlate what they say I used and what the meter says! I will wait for the web-based app to see if it the fault of the meter.
ReplyDeleteANOTHER intrusion in our lives by the government. Don't forget the GOVERNMENT may request to see your electric usage at anytime. WHY? So they can control your power and in the process add more control over you! A govermnet by the people, for the people but being co-opted by the politicians!
ReplyDeleteOur bill reflected that our usage had doubled over the usage during the same month last year. In view of the warmer weather we had this year that does not seem to make sense, unless there is some intervening variable that I am not aware of.
ReplyDeleteJoseph F. Hammond
I opted out for health concerns. I didn't hear about any charge for opting out though.
ReplyDeleteI called cause my bill went up 25.00. When I called, they said it was a computer cliche and it pulled up a 1 1/2 months worth of usage. They said they caught it and I should be getting a correct statement. I wonder if I didn't call if there would have been a corrected bill????? Lets see...time will tell.
ReplyDeleteOur bill went up by 40% and I have yet to be able to figure why.
ReplyDeleteMy bill went up $50. No changes in usage that I can think of. Also thought the smart meter was supposed to save us money. A little frustrated.
ReplyDeleteOur January kwh consumption was triple and February was double compared with last year. March was back to normal. CVPS re-read and confirmed the amounts were correct. There is no explanation as to why apparent consumption was so high.
ReplyDeleteI have had the same problems. My bill was over $75 higher in January when I wasn't even home for a week, then it went down by $50 in February and now it's back up another $50. I have been unplugging all unused appliances, don't keep the lights on and quite honestly I can't understand why I have a monthly bill of around $200. It is way out of control.
ReplyDeleteI only have a minute to post this. The problem with Smart Meters are too myriad to post, but I thought you all should know that the Senate passed S. 214 which would remove the penalty for opting out and make it easier. The House yesterday gutted the bill and inserted all new language which involves renewable energy and only one reference to the Smart Meters.... it appears in the title of the bill, that's it. Please contact Dennis Devereux and ask him to vote against the revised S. 214. His email is ddevereux@leg.state.vt.us
ReplyDeleteYou can look at the bill yourself at:http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/journal/hj120427.pdf page 180
Steven J. Howard
my bill was 65% higher than it has been in the last 13 months! i called cv on monday and told them i wanted the thing removed. the girl said she would investigate and get back to me. haven't heard from them yet. it's coming off one way or the other.
ReplyDeleteAs a follow up on the House's action on S. 214. It went up for a vote yesterday, passed on a vote as amended (without the language that would remove the charge for opting out)and it moves to conference committee. The vote was a voice vote (no rollcall) and Dennis Devereux was absent (excused). So for those of us who opted out and will not be receiving extra services, we get an additional $10-$20 whack on our bill. And those who opted in you will continue to enjoy the questionable benefits (and large increases in billing) brought to you by a smart meter.
ReplyDeleteDid everyone get a letter and a postcard in advance of the smart meter being installed? When I looked on the website of CVPS, they stated that everyone would be informed a month before the installation. Ours was installed while we were away but we did not receive a letter or postcard informing us of the installation = nor do I remember being given an option to opt-out. Perhaps I overlooked the information - can others shed light on this for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if it was the month prior or a few months prior but I did receive notice and an opt-out option explaining that we would get an additional $10 surcharge. However they did install the meter when we were out of town and it caused all kinds of problems to things in my home. I also got a phone call asking if I wanted to participate in a trial program to help with meter usage which would give me a 5% discount all of the time, but it would have certain "peak times" that they will notify me of when the rate would double.... I said no thanks to that one.
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned in an earlier post, we opted out after receiving a letter, then a postcard. It's a good thing we were at home when a smart meter installer showed up and proceeded to put in the smart meter-he claimed to have no information from CVPS re: our opt out. This same installer showed up at another location a few days later where I was posting accounting info on a computer. The lights flickered, all my computer input was lost and I checked outside to find the installation taking place with no warning knock so that I could shut down.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that there was lack of coordination between the installation company and CVPS. Very poor planning!!!