Stuck with PG&E
During the summer months, my thermostat is set on a timer. The AC comes on at 5 p.m. and is set to go off at 11 p.m. After a call to PG&E, it was recommended to set the high at 90 and the lower one at 76. Well, I went for the 90, but the low is set at 82 and never changed! The thermostat is in the hall, away from sunlight, etc., one of the coolest places in the house.
My June bill was $189. OK, can live with that as I was using my AC. But then July's bill came --$471.
I called PG&E and was told well, you had a high usage last year in July. Quite an answer. I asked if they have a program to come check my unit and or vents, as I had my AC checked, along with my thermostat. They said no, and that it was my usage that caused the increase.
Perhaps the SmartMeter is pretty smart -- able to gouge you and push the reason back onto you so that you are left with no recourse but to believe it. But, remember, it's just machine programmed by man, and obviously not impervious to mistakes, as it's already going to be replaced.
I live next to two families that run their AC day and night. Is it possible I have been lumped in with their use? Maybe my SmartMeter has something going on with theirs?
Why or why don't we have a choice about which electricity company we use?
JUDI HOUSE
Bakersfield
