erwin_s t1_j620q61 wrote on January 27, 2023 at 3:35 AM

I put a monitor in my panel. The amount I record with the monitor closely matches my NG bill.

dupattaluella OP t1_j63364w wrote on January 27, 2023 at 10:54 AM

I didn't know you could do that. Is this something I can get at Home Depot or Lowes?

erwin_s t1_j63mdn6 wrote on January 27, 2023 at 2:03 PM

I am not sure if you can get them locally, I bought mine from Amazon.

I am willing to bet that there are cheaper monitors out there. The one I use monitors all power in, but also every circuit. So when my bill is 300$, I can see the space heater cost me x$ and my laundry dryer cost me y$.

A handy person could install this themselves, but if you are not handy or don't have the time you would need an electrician. Think around 300$ for the best device and 1 hour of an electrician's time.

If you were to buy the simplest monitor (only main power), it is a bit cheaper and easier to install. Link here. So only around 90$ assuming you DIY.

I was CONVINCED there was a problem with my meter, which is why I bought the system. It turns out I just had some appliances that used WAY more than I expected, and I had some bad habits with turning things off.

I guess since I mentioned DIY, if you are not comfortable don't even try. Electricity is dangerous and no one wants to find your corpse in the basement next to the panel.

I could talk for days about the cost of electricity in this state. I grew up in PA, and we are paying 300% more than my friends back in Pittsburgh.

dupattaluella OP t1_j63os0o wrote on January 27, 2023 at 2:21 PM

Thank you for all the info! Based on the new meter's readings over the last almost 48 hours, I do think we were being charged for WAY more than we used. I'm still going to talk to my husband about the sensor though. We might wait to see how the next full month with the new meter goes, but this could come in handy.