Why Your Apartment Electric Bill May Be High

Causes of High Electrical Usage for Apartment Renters
Electrical Question: My apartment was using 33kwh of energy a day and I felt I was being charged for my neighbors electricity.

• I’m having some issues with a circuit breaker at my apartment home.
• I had a breaker in my panel box that went to a neighbor’s house.
• My apartment was using 33kwh of energy a day, which I knew was high, so I unplugged every household item I have except the fridge and stove and watched the numbers climb even when I didn’t use any electricity.
• Someone came out and re-routed that circuit breaker wiring back to my neighbors who also has a small apartment, and I felt I was being charged for their electricity.
• My neighbors electric meter numbers went even higher than mine and it says they are using over 50 kwh per day.

What could the problem be?

This electrical question came from: Michelle, a Handy-Woman from Sacramento, California.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Michelle.

Why the Electric Bill of an Apartment Condo or Flat May be High

There are many factors that may cause excessive energy consumption, especially when the weather changes and air conditioners are used frequently.

How to Track Your Energy Usage

Tracking energy usage starts with a simple list of what we use on a daily basis, and identifying our circuit breakers to see what they provide power to.

High Energy Consuming Devices and Appliances

• A high electrical usage rate may be due to several items. It would be necessary to list all the electrical devices that you normally use to see how much electricity these devices consume.
• Consideration must be given to the number of hours these items are actually used each day. This will help you see the rate of your electrical consumption.

Consult the Property Owner or Manager

• If you feel that the calculated electrical consumption does not appear to justify the amount on your electrical utility bill, then the apartment manager should be notified.
• There may be a remote possibility that circuits from one apartment unit are being shared with the other apartment.
• This could be determined by identifying the electrical circuits with each apartment panel. Consult the property owner or manager for more information.

Electrical Utility Provider

• Contact your local utility company or visiting their website may provide additional assistance, and they may send a representative out to conduct an energy usage report.
• Many electric utility companies will perform an energy survey and provide devices to help reduce your home  energy consumption.

Electrical Tip

• Plug in Energy Monitors are very helpful to see how much energy is being  consumed by a device.
• The monitor can be plugged in to record the power consumption for a period of time, and then moved to another device and repeat the recording process.

More about How to Save on Your Electric Bill

Methods to Save Energy

• Home Energy Savings

• Methods that show how to start saving energy right away for very little investment compared to the savings you will realize.

Basic House Wiring Circuits

• House Wiring Circuits and Circuit Breakers

• This article looks at common 120 volt and 240 volt house wiring circuits and the circuit breakers that are installed identifying the types and amperage sizes used in most homes.

Electrical Panel Circuit Listing

Using Electrical Testers and Voltage Meters

• Understanding Digital Volt Meters

• When working on home electrical wiring using voltage meter can play an important part in electrical safety. Electrical testers and voltage meters enable you to identify electrical circuits and help prevent the possibility of accidental electrical shock.
• Types of Electrical Testers

» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! « Here's How to Do It: Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book Great for any Home Wiring Project. Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring Perfect for Homeowners, Students, Handyman, Handywomen, and Electricians Includes: Wiring GFCI Outlets Wiring Home Electric Circuits 120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits Wiring Light Switches Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring ....and much more.

Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires! The Non-Contact Electrical Tester This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use. The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring! The Plug-In Outlet Tester This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring. It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use. Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire! The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires. This handy tool has multiple uses: The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation. The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.. The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.

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Home Electrical Wiring and Electrical Repairs Please Note: Unless otherwise posted, please refer to the following Guidelines when working on Electrical Projects: Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced - Electrical Repairs and Circuit Wiring is Best Performed by a Certified Electrician or Licensed Electrical Contractor. Electrical Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools, a Voltage Tester and a Multi Meter. Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools, work with electrical wiring, and the available access to the project area. Precaution: Identify the project circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring. Important: Modifying existing electrical circuits or installing additional electrical wiring should be done according to local and National Electrical Codes, with a permit and be inspected.

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