This item, which appeared on the Prospect Heights Forum on Brooklynian, is interesting to us because it’s from someone who got an inexplicably large gas bill from National Grid. Subsequent posters complained of similar problems. We know someone who also got a monster gas bill from National Grid that made no sense for an apartment that only has a gas stove and a hot water heater. Here’s the post:
wtf!?!? so, i’ve been hearing from different friends for a few weeks now about ridiculously high National Grid bills (the first ones after the merger/buyout with Keyspan became in full effect). we just got ours. for $300+ dollars. is anyone else on the boards having this problem? and if so, what is National Grid saying to you about it? one friend of mine was told that her bill had been ‘estimated’ for the past year and that they were just ‘adjusting/catching up’ and that the next bill should be closer to normal. i don’t buy it, though….
We’re curious if others have gotten unusually large bills since the Keyspan takeover. One or two complaints is a fluke. Dozens would seem to indicate a major problem. Our friend’s gas, by the way, was turned off until the monstrous bill was paid.
9 responses so far ↓
1 Meghan // Aug 26, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Yes! This was a problem for me as well. When I first moved to my new apartment in June, the bill for 12 days was $58. When I spoke with them, they suggested that people had been using gas while the apartment was vacant. It’s been okay since then, but interesting to know that others have experienced problems, too.
2 Skip Skipson // Aug 26, 2008 at 1:36 pm
For some reason, National Grid now sends us a monthly bill instead of bi-monthly. As long as I can remember; we used to get a quarterly or bi-monthly bill from Brooklyn Union/Keyspan.
Anyway, our usage is low as we only use cooking gas. Since our usage is low we are subject to the minimum gas usage charge (which is a large portion of our bill).
Our last bi-monthly bill was $40, and our most recent (monthly) bill was $22. The minimun charge is a slightly larger part of my bill now. So instead of paying $4/therm, I now pay $4.4/therm (We use the same amount of gas [therms] each month)….
Classic Nickel and Dimeing in my book, oh well…there are worse things to worry about….
Anyway, to the articles original point, I don’t know if this ‘possible price increase’ is a trend or fluke, but I’m really happy to contribute the extra money to help National Grid re-coup their purchase of Keyspan and since I use their e-billing system, I save National Grid money on postage!
P.S. Keep up the good work with the Gowanus Lounge.
3 SBK // Aug 26, 2008 at 3:18 pm
If Keyspan cannot read your meter on a monthly or bi-monthly basis, then they estimate your usage based on similar apartment buildings/past usage. They always, always, always underestimate and they continue to use the estimated amount to determine your bill until they get physical access to your meter. Once they get an actual reading, they go back for every single month that they’ve estimated [this can be months or even a year!] and calculate your “real” usage, which is always more than what they estimated. They then adjust your bill accordingly by applying all your past payments to this new balance and sending you a new bill with an insane amount listed on it. I had this happen to me for years, it’s a huge pain in the ass.
However, the one saving grace is that if YOU have access to your meter, you can take the reading yourself and submit it online. Your bill will be much more accurate this way.
Hope that helps.
4 Brenda from Flatbush // Aug 27, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Our bills are always astronomical because we have a huge poorly insulated wooden house; if the bill from BUG/Keyspan/”National Grid” arrived saying “One gazillion dollars,” we would just sit glassy-eyed and pay it. HOWEVER, on a related topic, a neighbor reports that her husband was almost menaced by a nasty Grid representative IN PERSON bitching about their paying their bill late (which they hadn’t) and threatening to turn off their gas. Anyone else heard of thuggish collection tactics from the Gridsters? Under Keyspan, all that happened if you paid your bill late was that you got a second notice with a little pink reply envelope instead of the usual blue one…
5 ajg // Aug 27, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Yes, I noticed it also.
My bill is 20 + dollars more.
6 margot // Sep 9, 2008 at 7:43 am
In july I had national grid change my meter to one that can be read remotely (they drive by and take the reading from the sensor installed in the basement). I did this to eliminate being charged when they cant get access, which is all the time, since i work during the day. I got my latest bill with an estimated charge. when i called ng, they said that they are billing monthly, but only reading the meter bi-monthly. I said “That means youre guessing??” The guy on the phone said its like any other monthly bill. I disagreed saying that ConEd reads my meter every month and why should I pay what they are guessing?? I may send a check for the amount of my best guess, since thats the new rationale. How can this be legal? Why should we front National Grid the money every other month? Plus, the guy who installed the remote sensor said its a way to cut entry level meter reading union jobs. What do our elected representatives have to say?
7 daniel lockwood // Sep 16, 2008 at 8:02 pm
since national grid took over in syracuse, ny they made 10 times the profit of the previous company and still get rate approval everyu year from the rubber stamp psc . excuse my grammer i feel like typing with one finger. yes that one.
8 John // Nov 11, 2008 at 2:40 pm
I had the same issue. Can anyone provide me with any suggestions or gas companies that will provide actual monthly readings.
Thank you
9 Harry // Jan 5, 2009 at 8:44 pm
I pay gas bills for 2 houses and one of them always say “actual” and the other one is always “estimated.” Bills for the “estimated” house are usually about 20% more pricey although we turn the heat up way more in the other house. Fucking faggots are raping us for our hard earned cash!
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