tokhar t1_j25gpe1 wrote on December 29, 2022 at 8:16 PM

You should have access to previous bills, including the one for the same period last year. Compare how much electricity you used, as well as the billing period and what the other charges were. That will give you better details as to where the increase came from, and perhaps find an error.

jumboshrimp93 OP t1_j25j6cl wrote on December 29, 2022 at 8:32 PM

So looking at a bill from the summer, usage was 650 kWh and the bill was $170. This last bill was $275 with 550 kWh. I guess I’m just confused by the quoted “64%” increase, because the service rate tripled…

EatTheRichAllOfThem t1_j25n0yh wrote on December 29, 2022 at 8:57 PM

An example that is almost right on your numbers (600 kWh, $179 last winter, $293 this winter) was given back when they warned everyone in September: https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/some-massachusetts-customers-will-see-a-64-increase-in-their-electric-bills-this-winter/2840633/

It also said the delivery rate remained flat, which is why your entire bill did not triple.

simonsays123 t1_j29je3q wrote on December 30, 2022 at 5:05 PM

National Grid's supply rates change every 6 months and the winter rate is nearly always higher than the summer. So a better comparison may be the 14.82cents/kWh from last winter's supply rate. Assuming a rough 15cents/kwh delivery fee:

550kWH last winter = $7 customer charge + (14.82 cents/kwh supply * 550) + (15 cents/kwh delivery * 550) = $170

550kWH this winter = $7 customer charge + (33.89 cents/kwh supply * 550) + (15 cents/kwh delivery * 550) = $275

This particular case would be about 73% total bill increase compared to last winter, even though the supply rate went from 14.82 to 33.89 winter over winter (229% increase)