Cause you're using a resistor load as heat. What that means is it's one of the shittiest efficiency rates of heating. Need multiple times the electricity to warm the same sq footage as other means of heating. I understand it sucks cause upfront costs of other systems or simply renting the place.

Most people I see complaining have something that uses a lot of electricity. Some probably recently changed over to heat pump and not thinking they moved from gas to electric then. They also never say the KW used. I posted my graph from the last year showing usage and cost, why don't others? Here's mine again - https://i.imgur.com/YTLE4SW.jpg

Second this. Always had good service there

[deleted]

My electric bill was $55, Gas is $71 for a 2 bdr, I live by myself so heat doesn’t need to on all the time.

> It legally should be hardwired.

This is a good point. And yet I just stand silently and point at: LANDLORDS.

The state could at least strike filing taxes through a 3rd party as taxable (seriously turbo tax charges a sales tax for filing here in RI)

There have been a lot of posts recently with similar experience as you, and after they’ve done some digging they’ve found out that many of the high bills were based on “estimated usage” and not an amount read from a meter. You can have the meter read in this case on request. Might be worth a phone call.

Oh i got mine years ago now. It was just such a red flag that the energy company controls what i want to install

> f it plugs in (and isn't hard-wired)

It legally should be hardwired.

But there are non-contact clamp meters that can measure current without having to change any wiring.

e.g. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-400-Amp-AC-DC-Digital-Clamp-Meter-Auto-Ranging-CL390/312649921

As an electrician, be careful over there. If you make a mistake, you can’t just say sorry and get to retry.

Do you have a smart meter?

> is it Arcadia that’s basically the ponzi or are they not around anymore

They are around and I use them. I don't know about being a ponzi though, it's more like arbitrage with renewable energy credits which is its own form of semi-scummy, but it's also the best option I've been able to find.

Yes, RIE has a monopoly on distribution, but we can choose our supplier.

Because of RIE's semi-monopoly, there's a Public Utility Council that is supposed to oversee and regulate the amount of profit RIE is allowed to make on the distribution. It was previously 5% profit, but I think it was recently increased to 7.5%, but they don't make it easy to find that rate for some reason.......

Transmission is different from distribution. The networks are different. Transmission leads into a substation at high Voltage, 100kV and up, think metal towers. Distribution leaves a substation and goes out on lower Voltages around 14kV or so, think wooden poles. Your power may not be generated by the utility. They may buy it from somewhere else and pay those fees for it. They then distribute it to you.

Not justifying the bill. Just giving some knowledge.

Got an old fridge with nothing in it?

Did ya change all your lights to LED?

I’m thinking about it, especially as my mom get older. But it’s complicated.

RIE makes all its money from delivery (which are where much of the super high charges live). They make little to none off of actual production/generation.

Just paid almost $100 more than this same billing period last year, when my kWh was almost exactly the same (guess it’s good to know our usage is consistent). Our “delivery services” for this period this year was actually CHEAPER, despite the kWh being slightly more! It’s all in the supply services fee.

I’m glad we are at least on a smart pay/budget plan for our oil.

Go solar

Well you can switch suppliers so you can pick a greener mix these guysand get a tax write off as well) but yes there are some less than scrupulous folks out there (is it Arcadia that’s basically the ponzi or are they not around anymore)?

I'll allow your laughs! We are in the same situation.

Probably. My buddy’s brother (what an RI statement) works for one of those companies that “save people money” by helping them switch suppliers, and he said it’s all bullshit.

My electric bill is 0, low income people got a grant of over 700 and my gas is also 0 another grant, so ppl on low incomes take advantage of these programs!!

I’m in MA, so it might be a little different. But “transmission” is typically from the power generation station to the substation (the definition of “transmission” in power systems). “Distribution” is typically from substation to your house. So they might sound the same, but they are for different things.

Its sort of confusing that they separate your charges into different fees like that, but I’m assuming the transparency in fee structure has to do with it being a regulated utility.