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bartolo345 t1_iz7xxs7 wrote

That's some serious dough. Are you mining crypto? Recycling aluminum?

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ClnclyDprsd420 OP t1_iz7y3lt wrote

About to scrap the copper piping from my burned house.

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MavDrake t1_iz9b0f5 wrote

Hey, if you go paperless you can save $0.37 cents! (joke)

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Jeremys17 t1_iz9l5po wrote

Judging by 420 in his name they are grow lights

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phill0406 t1_iz9kkr3 wrote

the better question is how are you using almost 3,000 kWh a month?

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degggendorf t1_iz9l4lf wrote

Hah, we both did the math and commented the same thing within seconds of each other.

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DeftApproximation t1_izadawb wrote

Yea I was going to ask if this was for a business or something. 3000kwh is wtf levels of usage. Average for RI is what, 600ish? And 600 is reaaaaaal low in comparison to the rest of the country

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MavDrake t1_iza699o wrote

He needs to check the lines to his box. lol

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dishwashersafe t1_iz9uajm wrote

I've said it before, but this isn't a result of RI Energy just deciding to make more profit... it's RI Energy stocking up on natural gas when prices were super high this fall so we can make it through the winter without rolling blackouts. There are alternative suppliers you can buy from, but they're not cheaper!

It's a shitty situation for sure, but I'd say it's more "F*ck you fossil fuel based economy". At least RI has the most aggressive renewable energy target in the country and hopefully prices like this will be a thing of the past soon.

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degggendorf t1_iz9klii wrote

You used over 3,000 kWh last month!?

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harris023 t1_iz9euwh wrote

What was your kWh usage? That’s insane ..

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Double_Farmer_2662 t1_iz7xhd7 wrote

Mine didn’t change, but genuinely curious as to why this is happening? And why it seems to only happen to some?

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degggendorf t1_iz9qceh wrote

There are a few things going on here:

  1. The supply rate for everyone went up 40% for electric (~10% for gas) in October.

  2. There was a $60 credit issued to everyone the same month, which eliminated (and then some, in most cases) the effect of that increase for the first month

  3. OP is using a TON of electricity - nearly 10x as much as my 4 bedroom house in the same period - due to a house fire and having to live in an all-electric-everything RV.

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DoggyP93 t1_iz9uqkd wrote

Everyone forgets that rates always increase in winter, I looked at my bills from this year and last and the winter rate is up like 2 cents a kWh

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Stoicdadman t1_iz9ev67 wrote

I wonder what would happen if everyone just stopped paying their energy bill at the same time?

Tired of this monopoly. I get there is solar, and 3rd party services, however it is still a monopoly if no COMPETITIVE offering can be made, and that is where it is at.

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degggendorf t1_iz9kx5t wrote

> Tired of this monopoly

The electric supplier - the source of the supply charges highlighted in the OP - is not a monopoly. You can choose your own. RIE is merely the default supplier.

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LurkingGuy t1_iz9oj2i wrote

He said no COMPETITIVE offering. He didn't say there weren't any other offers.

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degggendorf t1_iz9pr75 wrote

> He didn't say there weren't any other offers.

They called it a monopoly. The definition of "monopoly" is having no alternatives.

> He said no COMPETITIVE offering.

I am not sure what they mean by "competitive" in this context. Cheaper?

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LurkingGuy t1_iz9qqta wrote

The idea of a market is that competing companies drive innovation or better pricing. In this particular market neither of those things are happening. Imo it's more like a cartel where multiple companies collaborate to set equally shitty prices, but because the word "cartel" usually brings people to think about drug cartels it's probably easier to just describe it as an effective monopoly. When there's no "better" option, what are you going to do? You get from the "default supplier".

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degggendorf t1_iz9s19s wrote

>Imo it's more like a cartel where multiple companies collaborate to set equally shitty prices

I could buy that if it was just our suppliers charging higher rates, but that's happening globally.

Like, is it a cartel to blame that corn cost more in RI this year? No, not really...summer droughts lead to smaller crops and prices went up across the board.

Similarly, Russia's invasion and the EU boycott effectively reduced energy supply and raised prices for everyone.

> The idea of a market is that competing companies drive innovation or better pricing

So what would you want, like newer companies coming in and building solar fields and selling the power to you at a lower price because solar is cheaper?

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LurkingGuy t1_iz9tifm wrote

>Like, is it a cartel to blame that corn cost more in RI this year? No, not really...summer droughts lead to smaller crops and prices went up across the board.

Nice straw man. This has 0 relevance.

>So what would you want, like newer companies coming in and building solar fields and selling the power to you at a lower price because solar is cheaper?

The future is renewable. These resources only get cheaper with wider adoption. The only reason it isn't a larger/cheaper option is opposition from oil companies for decades.

Also, there is a literal cartel to control the price of oil. It's called OPEC. Saudi Arabia/OPEC literally cut oil production to drive up the price. https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/saudi-arabia-eyes-opec-production-increase-wsj-2022-11-21/

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degggendorf t1_iz9uuvx wrote

> Also, there is a literal cartel to control the price of oil. It's called OPEC. Saudi Arabia/OPEC literally cut oil production to drive up the price.

Last I checked, OPEC isn't one of the electricity suppliers in RI.

You are saying the same as me...the problem is in the global energy markets, not with regional suppliers.

> Nice straw man. This has 0 relevance.

I don't think you understand the definition of "straw man", and you're not sure how the global supply of a product affecting local prices is relevant to a discussion about the global supply of a product affecting local prices...?

> The future is renewable. These resources only get cheaper with wider adoption. The only reason it isn't a larger/cheaper option is opposition from oil companies for decades.

Well I have great news for you. That exact thing I just outlined has been available in our state for years, thanks to our deregulated supply. If you really didn't know that, you might want to focus more on educating yourself about all your options more than complaining about them.

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LurkingGuy t1_iz9ygux wrote

straw man /ˌstrô ˈman/ noun noun: strawman 1. an intentionally misrepresented proposition that is set up because it is easier to defeat than an opponent's real argument.

Anyway, a cartel is inflating energy pricing (global) and a cartel is stifling innovation (local + global) which has limited the access to renewable resources.

>Well I have great news for you. That exact thing I just outlined has been available in our state for years, thanks to our deregulated supply.

Only 13% of RI energy was renewable in 2021. https://www.eia.gov/state/analysis.php?sid=RI#:~:text=In%202021%2C%20about%2013%25%20of,of%20that%20from%20solar%20energy

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degggendorf t1_iza1kdm wrote

> Only 13% of RI energy was renewable in 2021.

My dude, PLEASE educate yourself about supply options. For all our good. If you are using the default supply you are part of the problem. You're voting with your dollars that petro-heavy generation is a-okay. You can (and I'd say, should) switch to a different supplier generating cleaner power, and drive the demand for cleaner energy. You will save money too.

While you're reading, you might want to brush up on the grid interconnects and resource mix; the generation happening within RI state lines (like you linked) is less relevant when the whole eastern grid is interconnected. That's why it's okay that "our" offshore wind power makes landfall on Long Island - it's all the same grid so it doesn't matter. That generation greens everyone's power.

So to recap: you are spending more money and preventing clean energy growth with your ignorance to how the system actually works. Learn and change, don't get hung up on the piece of paper that gets mailed to you every month.

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LurkingGuy t1_iza49k7 wrote

You're making a lot of assumptions about me. My power is mostly solar from the panels on my roof. This discussion isn't about me personally.

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degggendorf t1_iza4kjm wrote

Oh okay, so your ignorance is merely misleading others. Got it.

My fault for making assumptions about you actually do; I should have only commented on what you've said.

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SenorPoppy t1_izb1je7 wrote

you can be a monopoly if there are still technically alternatives but they are vastly inferior and thus not realistically viable.

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degggendorf t1_izb5089 wrote

Do you consider a cheaper, greener alternative "vastly inferior"?

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SenorPoppy t1_izbi08q wrote

I wasnt giving an opinion on energy providers fyi

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degggendorf t1_izbiezg wrote

Okay so you agree that our electricity supply isn't a monopoly?

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SenorPoppy t1_izbitso wrote

I wasnt giving an opinion on that. Just stating that a monopoly can still technically have competitors but be a monopoly.

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degggendorf t1_izblmcx wrote

>Just stating that a monopoly can still technically have competitors

Good thing that's not what I said then?

But anyway, thank you for swinging by to confirm that everything I said is accurate.

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MrSneaki t1_iza2j6u wrote

Being put out by this situation isn't very stoic of you, dad man. (Sorry, I couldn't help myself)

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Stoicdadman t1_iza3kt5 wrote

Ha! You are 100% right. I appreciate the call out.

It's a journey. I don't get too upset about it because I cannot control it, but it is frustrating to see people getting hammered for a basic need unnecessarily. It's ok to have emotions as a stoic, we just need to tame them properly.

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MrSneaki t1_izabdeq wrote

Lmao no shade at all, and I agree re: the frustration with the situation. I practice stoicism, as well, but would say I feel similarly as you.

I just made myself chuckle with the remark, and so figured you might appreciate as well lol

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Stoicdadman t1_izabnxq wrote

All good, I thought it was funny. I started at my screen for a min....Reflected a bit and said "Welp, this is a learning lesson..." Tough being human most days.

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MrSneaki t1_izac3t0 wrote

> Tough being human most days.

Indeed it is. In any case, I'm glad we were able to enjoy a bit of humor despite. I hope you experience a lovely, unbothered rest of the day, my friend!

1

Jack__Squat t1_iza6atz wrote

Aren't utilities always monopolies? Electricity is the only one I have, do people have a choice with water or natural gas?

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Mutabilitie t1_iz99zql wrote

They also added a quick joke at the bottom. $0.37 credit for paperless billing.

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Status_Silver_5114 t1_iz93gpx wrote

Will insurance pay for that? Also fuck RI energy for sure. I’m sorry to hear about your house - hope your fam is ok.

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MavDrake t1_iz99ax5 wrote

Why would insurance pay for you electric?

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Status_Silver_5114 t1_iz99ujo wrote

They had a fire. I assume the mobile home is provided by home owners insurance - ditto the bills that come along with it.

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Reeceologist t1_izc5po9 wrote

Lots of insurance options pay or reimburse for “relocation costs” in the case of a claim

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UWarchaeologist t1_iz96w0a wrote

Hey just a suggestion if it suits your living situation in the RV or how handy you are with DIY projects, but for this $ amount you could get a portable gas powered shower and a gas powered yacht heater, and a tractor supply petrol generator, and at least a couple of 12 volt batteries to power lights and recharge phones etc when your generator is off (or add a couple of small solar panels, but that's another big upfront cost). You don't need to run the power all day and all night - just morning and evening are OK for the fridge. The yacht heater (eg dickinson) will heat a whole RV safely. Your total winter energy cost could be down to around $100-200 month depending on how much you're at home.

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MavDrake t1_iz99dtq wrote

Go solar mate.

It costs up front but once its in the note is like a normal electric bill and you'll be selling back to the grid.

Edit: saw the post about why it was so high... Sorry for your home loss man! That sucks!

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Digitalburn t1_iz9mk99 wrote

I want solar, but I also have a metal roof that's got 30 years left on the warranty. (It came with the house) I talked to a friend who installs solar and he said "I'm not sure I would do it."

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star_nerdy t1_iza49pj wrote

That’s ideal then. The life expectancy of solar is 30+ years (and even then it just has reduced output, it doesn’t just die).

Solar doesn’t damage the roof and void warranties, at least not usually.

As for your friend, there are lots of people who say, they wouldn’t install it, but everyone is in a different situation.

Maybe they have a tree in front of their house that would block solar efficiency. Maybe they just got a new oil burner and wouldn’t want to scrap it (you don’t have to scrap oil, but then you’re just shooting yourself in the foot). Maybe they have natural gas and want to keep that (same situation as oil).

With solar, you can go 100% electric and your heating and energy costs are the solar panels. For 6 years, you break even. If you sell the place, solar panels increase property value. After 6 years, your heating and cooling cost is $0 a month.

If you’re focused long term, you’re breaking even at worst and then pocketing $200+ a month in 6 years.

I don’t see the argument of not doing solar unless you have trees blocking panels.

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Status_Silver_5114 t1_izbz9d1 wrote

This! Folks think by not going solar they’ll save money / no you’ll be sending the same amount or more to an energy company. It’s been amazing for us. Going on 6+ years without a bill!

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darkrom t1_izcfw4o wrote

How many years left to break even on the cost of it all licensing, equipment and installs? Not counting the big one that stops a lot of people as well, tons of tree removal. Which is not exactly "going green" either.

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Status_Silver_5114 t1_izcgqiu wrote

You’re already paying the money. We paid a dollar less per month for those costs until we paid it off so literally was already saving money from day 1. “Breaking even” isn’t the mentality here. Paying in a certain (ever rising) amount to RIE is baked in unless you go solar. You’ll break even at current rates even sooner than we did if that’s your concern.

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darkrom t1_izchn69 wrote

You need to have the money up front, or take a loan for it. If your loan is less than your electric bill every month, and it’s paid off in the warranty period then yes that would be a win. Assuming you don’t need to cut down a ton of trees. Can’t get over going green by removing all the greenery.

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Status_Silver_5114 t1_izdvsgn wrote

We took a loan out for it and it was less than our elec bill. We paid it off in two years. But even without that the knowledge that our power was coming from solar only was a huge weight off our shoulders (and pocket book as rates just continues to rise) so while it wasn’t “free” from day one using those standards still 100% worth it. And systems have gotten cheaper and the solar credit from the feds went up to 30% (was 26 when we bought I think) so it’s even cheaper. And battery storage is likewise cheaper now - not to mention RIE will pay you to use your battery (we’re getting our battery this winter) and that basically pays for itself over the next 3-4 years. Very few people in the city that I know had to actually remove any trees (which may speak more to there being a shortage of trees in PVd than anything!) - have 15 neighbors who have gone solar since we did and no one had to do that. I think folks get intimidated by thinking they need a huge chunk of money and they have to finance ergo don’t make it happen. But it’s just renaming your rising electric bill for a fixed payment (and there’s a lot more financing options now than there were in 2016) and it’s still coming out of your wallet if you don’t make the shift so why not? You won’t actually be saving any money if you don’t do it.

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Quick_Fennel_3244 t1_iz9ldsu wrote

This is why we as the people need to show up to these meetings to object to this crap.

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deathsythe t1_iz9rny7 wrote

Doesn't matter. People did and nothing happened. People showed up to the committee hearings on the recent gun control and nothing happened. The assholes in the statehouse will do as they like regardless of what we do/say.

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fishythepete t1_iza0xb8 wrote

The decision wasn’t made by the state house, it was made by the PUC. The PUC does not have the ability to force RIE to sell electricity at a loss, which is what the people who showed up wanted them to do. The rate increase was approved because natural gas prices increased, so the cost of generating electricity increased by a defined, calculable amount.

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deathsythe t1_iza152t wrote

On that I don't/won't disagree with you. but the point still stands about the assholes in the statehouse.

−1

deathsythe t1_iz9t75j wrote

Same mate. My electricity usage went down (because we're being cognizant of it) and my bill still tripled.

Can never get through to anyone to dispute it or get an understanding of it. I'm sure I'm one of several thousands calling.

edit - apparently it was a solar energy credit issue. They over credited me, and my bill pay service/community solar management company (Arcadia) billed me for the inflated amount.

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fishythepete t1_iza15nf wrote

Post a copy of your bill. Generation pricing increased 40% - there is no way you used fewer KWh and had your bill triple.

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deathsythe t1_iza1mbh wrote

Fortunately you are correct. Note my edit. There was an issue with being over-credited for my community solar farm participation.

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degggendorf t1_iza5a13 wrote

> They over credited me, and my bill pay service/community solar management company (Arcadia) billed me for the inflated amount.

Arcadia messed up on mine too; I was overpaying all summer and building up credit with NG/RIE, but then Arcadia finally figured out the credits and I haven't had to pay anything the past three months as I work that credit back down.

1

Jazzbo64 t1_izakf1y wrote

But “Good News!”

2

FieryVegetables t1_izaq3xg wrote

Isn’t that something? It’s not like it’s even as much as a stamp, or even close anymore. I had paperless billing from National Grid, but had to sign up again with RIE so I could rack up the $$$ from this.

1

[deleted] t1_iz80etb wrote

[deleted]

1

ClnclyDprsd420 OP t1_iz81hm9 wrote

Our house burned 10/29. We have emergency housing in the form of a mobile home on our property. Everything is electric in it. Plus, whatever extra was used by the mitigation company. There's nothing to do to save. My family needs heat and hot water.

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LoktheNomad t1_iz96q8c wrote

Your insurance company should pay for any extra power usage caused by your living situation and what the mitigation company used. Send your electric bill off to your adjuster.

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dishwashersafe t1_iz9vdrd wrote

I'm really sorry - that sounds like an awful situation. You're also using an obscene amount of electricity for a mobile home. I'm guessing it's mostly resistive heating and your home has no insulation. Inquire about a home energy assessment ASAP. They're really helpful and will tell you the best way to lower that bill (likely insulation). Especially if you're low income, the improvements are reduced cost or free!

3

dantronZ t1_iz99yo2 wrote

That is INSANE

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Oskie2011 t1_iz9czd8 wrote

Mine was $37 this month for a 2 bedroom apt, it’s never been less than $80 in 9 years, something def wrong

1

adebium t1_iz9jpb1 wrote

There was a credit applied to all bills this month. Something like 60$. Could be the reason

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Oskie2011 t1_iz9ly1u wrote

I didn’t see it listed, but that would make sense

1

degggendorf t1_iz9r14n wrote

> Mine was $37 this month for a 2 bedroom apt, it’s never been less than $80

That adds up. Add back the credit and your bill was $97 this past period, ~20% higher than your previous max, in a typical-not-peak-usage month. You should expect your future bills to be 40% edit: 25% higher than last year moving forward. (Thank you /u/fishythepete for the correction.)

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fishythepete t1_iza2cj1 wrote

Supply cost increased 47%, but before the increase supply cost was ~~ distribution cost. Overall impact should be a 25% increase in bills

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degggendorf t1_iza39g6 wrote

Oh yeah! Good call, I was wrong. Thank you for the correction!

1

Uakaris t1_iz9i0m6 wrote

Merry Christmas.

1

Zealousideal_Dust_25 t1_iz9v9y5 wrote

I used 25% less energy this month compared to last year and my cost was up 5 bucks overall,

Fun stuff

1

kendo31 t1_izatjwl wrote

Might be time to reinsullate and switch to LED... And put on a hoodie!

1

Nighthawk9997 t1_izem8zn wrote

I bought 24 pack 8 watts LED from Amazon, cut my bill in half, and used solar powered outdoor lights.

2

kendo31 t1_izftk1i wrote

Excellent. I put white led ribbon under my cabinets and made a tiny valence along my living room wall to hide another string. The two are mostly used for ambient light most of the time. Led tape is so cheap now I have it in most rooms for either fun mood light, general illumination, anything but task or brighter social settings.

1

ases8089 t1_izbxve3 wrote

budget billing -best thing i ever did -everything in my house is electric - went from $600+ to 250 year round

1

Nighthawk9997 t1_izelxgh wrote

Electric stove and heating are the worst, I used to live in a two-bedroom apartment, and I used to pay 300-400$ in the winter, but now I'm living in a 4-bedroom house with gas stove and heating, and I pay 100$ combined gas and electric, and I cock!

1

UsedCollection5830 t1_iz9hkso wrote

Holy shit this is some disgusting shit man how do we survive like this

0

MavDrake t1_iz9tq9m wrote

Pay attention to who you vote for... protests... boycotts, town hall meetings, etc.. etc..

−2

ASCIt t1_iz9tj4x wrote

And here I was with a $14 bill this month o.O

0

DentalFox t1_iza56ri wrote

What are you doing? My 2 bedroom apartment bill was max $60 in the winter.

0

March_Latter t1_izaw95b wrote

Ok, sadly the highlighted number is a pass through. This is the cost to RI Energy for the electricity you used. Why is it so high? Well first holy shit you use a tone of electricity. Second we don't have control over power generation, we buy what we are not forced to buy from solar on the open market. The solar cost by the way is far higher. So you want some lower costs, build some actual power plants. This will be of course downvoted by fools who don't understand their own power system. Good Luck!

0

Jmac3366 t1_izbn34z wrote

Stop mining crypto lmao

0

HandleNo8032 t1_iz99hws wrote

I paid 10 bucks last month

−1

princess-silkworm t1_iz99r3y wrote

There was a $64 credit given to everyone last month

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HandleNo8032 t1_iz9adtn wrote

I don’t think I got the credit. I have a 5.2k solar system. The previous month I paid $57 dollars

1

Paid-Not-Payed-Bot t1_iz99ikc wrote

> I paid 10 bucks

FTFY.

Although payed exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in:

  • Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. The deck is yet to be payed.

  • Payed out when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. The rope is payed out! You can pull now.

Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment.

Beep, boop, I'm a bot

3

BMorris2526 t1_izbr88c wrote

Wow. I'm so glad that President Biden declared war against the oil and gas companies. It will force us all to use less heat and gasoline.

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