Posts: 1,455
Threads: 148
Joined: Mar 2010
I think I see what they did. Another mistake from their mete reader. In the last year our average is about 680-700 KWH. Yet, on 3/6/13 they came up with only 144 KWH. The next bill they made up for their mistake and charged us for 983. That averaged about 580 KWH. But then, the latest reading they hit us at 1469 kwh, a whopping $614.89. My heart stopped at that. Thought I was going to have to drop my medical coverage or get a job quickly!!I will call the person mentioned above when they open. But, that makes 2 royal misreads in a row from Helco, and one adjustment to correct the first misread.
On meter dials, the first one reads clockwise, then next one reads counterclockwise, etc, and changes direction on each adjacent gauge face. They have overbilled me by 1000 KWHs!! Should be 469 and not 1469.
Good thing I have a strong heart and good blood pressure.
Jon in Keaau/HPP
Jon in Keaau/HPP
Posts: 2,490
Threads: 222
Joined: Dec 2005
I would cringe if I opened up my bill and found I had used 650KW... ouch....
That being said, I haven't checked it out yet, but Home Depot is now selling LED lightbulbs for 10 bucks. We use a 13Watt fluorescent bulbs. So replacing them with 6Watt LED is a no brainer. Cutting the lighting bill in Half is always fun!
Finally LED's are getting down there in price!
Posts: 6,214
Threads: 354
Joined: Feb 2006
We have been using those HD EcoSmart LEDs for 3 years now (started with some off brand w/blue tint- then purchased some LOA's LED low watt/low light bulbs when we moved here) have been replacing all lights in our house with LEDs - Even converted out our churches bulbs this year to slightly higher wattage LED's...
We have been very impressed with how the technology on LED bulbs has really made them a 'go to' light, from those dim little things a decade ago. Now even the 'big names' in light bulbs are starting to offer a selection of LEDs
Posts: 134
Threads: 2
Joined: Apr 2013
There are solar solutions out there if you own the house and want to lease the system. I just had one installed and turned on in December as we do consume a lot of electricity being an all electric house with a pool and that filter pump was $100.00 a month by itself. I went with Revolusun thru Sunpower. The main thing is, the cost to install was zero. Now I pay them less than what I used to pay HELCO every month, and then I only pay HELCO $20.50 a month to act as my batteries. Its called net energy, I don't own the solar system but am buying the electricity from the company at the set rate for the lease time. Doing this my cost is lower than what it was with just HELCO, and my prices will not change for the next 20 years.
They monitor it thru the internet and yes you do have to have an internet connection or they wont install you. We all know HELCO prices are going to keep going up not down, so at this point, I don't have to worry about any price changes for 20 years, and any maintenance that needs to be done for the solar, such as an inverter going out after about 10 years which is a common thing, they replace it free. After the 20 years you can buy it at the cost of a 20 year old system (not much) or continue the lease and they continue to replace they parts of the system as needed.
I had a hard time at first thinking but what do I do if they go bankrupt as many solar companies have. The answer I got was if they do go bankrupt, they won't be coming to take the system down as that would cost them too much... so at that point it was a no brainer, if it happened I'd have a free system. Again, zero out to install and get going, then just a regular monthly payment depending on the size of the system and power needed but definitely much less than what you are paying HELCO now. You can also get paid for referrals (not that I've tried).
Posts: 1,455
Threads: 148
Joined: Mar 2010
I hadn't heard of this service till now. Very interesting.
Jon in Keaau/HPP
Jon in Keaau/HPP
Posts: 7,746
Threads: 686
Joined: Jun 2011
We switched to LED lighting over 6 years ago. The Chinese are almost 10 years ahead of the USA in LED lighting products but the only way to buy them was on eBay shipped directly from China. Things have improved over the last few years with LED lighting products finally available in the USA.
When buying them make sure you look for the words "warm light" and avoid "daylight" or else you'll wind up with a nauseating blue tinted light. Try to get something in the 6 watt or higher range. Or else you'll find the lights too dim for most applications.
Posts: 14,122
Threads: 424
Joined: Aug 2012
LED lighting is an improvement, but the biggest power usage comes from refrigerator and water pump, then electric stove/oven/dryer (if have).
Posts: 67
Threads: 5
Joined: Oct 2007
I second the recommendation for a solar lease. They got my system up and running last August. I was initially fearful that living in Hilo the sun would be insufficient, but as of today I have about 700 Kw/hr in the bank.
Prior to the solar lease my electric bill was between $170 and $205 per month and rising steadily. Now I pay 146 for the solar lease, and 20.50 to Helco. Unless I go crazy with electric use and draw more that the system can provide, that rate will not increase for 20 years.
Another plus is that since the system is owned by the company, they have to fix it if something goes wrong during the lease period.
If you have any questions, shoot me a PM.
