Lakewood homeowner's Xcel bill increases 1,500% after smart meters installed

[@yannip2083]

Can I go back to my old meter? This smart meter is a complete scam!

[@fleabag2mr.151]

Smart meters were a way to charge more between 4 pm and 9 pm. Power companies are crooks!

[@cire06.]

everyone need to sue xcell thats the only way they will listen

[@yannip2083]

Class action. Let's go!

[@lextacy2008]

He can actually file a criminal charge with the States attorney since the Company is ignoring his complaint.

[@kenneth9874]

Doesn't matter the supplier of electric, the problem is the supposedly "smart" meters, my bill tripled but fortunately I have a long residence and had a long history of usage that enabled me to fight the numbers, it took quite a few phone calls and explaining some basic math to get the bill in line with the previous usage, of course I didn't get reimbursed for the overcharge though

[@lunatik9696]

#1 rule of a scammer - never give the money back. I wonder where this "windfall" tax lands?

[@gerggerggy7757]

I have my usage history as well prior to my spike. How did you get them to listen to you?

[@kenneth9874]

@@gerggerggy7757 repeated calls and getting them to examine my usage history

[@XVa-uj8m]

Sue them for the money back. They stole it from you.

[@ralphmalph6824]

Colorado Springs has a fake opt out. They offered it only after shutting my water off. Their "opt out" meters are called non-transmitting. That's obviously because these meters still receive communications aka commands remotely, which allow for remote shut off, directed power surges, outages, rationing, etc.

[@tsteel80]

I just got notified by Xcel today that they are installing smart meters in my apartment next month. Don't know what I can do.

[@SeanPGribbons]

My excel bill for a 4 bed 3 bath house 1800 sqft in Lakewood is $350 a month. I have a strong feeling excel is blatantly screwing people.

[@yannip2083]

The same with mine. Can we all bring a Class Action against Xcel?

[@SeanPGribbons]

@@yannip2083 would love to see it

[@Isaacrl67]

Our bill has gone up nearly double since the smart meter, and they installed it just after we stopped using our AC for the year.. I am terrified what the costs next summer will be.

[@yannip2083]

Same with mine. Went up 100% soon after the smart meter was installed. What can I do about it? I am nervous of the next bill.

[@Godknowsvita]

I use portable solar lights inside at night, leave my ac off as much as possible, start washing and hanging clothes outside, basically barely using energy, and yet, they still send me over $100 bill. I was receiving $80 bill, so they sent me a letter saying they're changing the way they calculate the bill, to whenever time of day I use the most, that will be my peak use, and that's how they now determine my usage. Incredible. I have Coast Electric, MS.

[@HappyHarryHardon]

SOLAR WORKS. Use it. Get off grid.

[@astudentpilotlife]

My neighbor house bill is $800 alone just for electricity. Good thing i have solar panel and not close to that bill

[@ChakatNightspark]

@@HappyHarryHardon Problem with that. To many Counties/cities/towns Regulate it heavily. Where if you go Off Grid, They will Condemn the Home until it is Rehooked up to the Power Grid. Might even get Fined Steeply for going off grid.

[@GeorgeVCohea-dw7ou]

@@ChakatNightspark This is easy, just don't go completely off-grid. Have the power go to a single specific device though. There are sensors which utilise less than 1 watt of power these days.

[@psychologicalsigma9917]

These smart meters are nit safe either. They start fires.

[@David-xg8lg]

EXCEL is the worst. Once, years ago, the house i was living in our average electric bill was $90 a month, all of a sudden got a bill (for one month) of $700. I fought with EXCEL for 2 years on that bill, energy audits, meter testing, and every time they said "you must have used the electricity, pay the bill" in the end I had to pay the bill cause what choose did I have, but it was wrong!

[@andrewandres148]

Did you have a "smart meter" or was it the conventional old style?

[@kw8295]

"We investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing."

[@ClintEstadt-es9so]

Bullshit

[@EaRebel]

My bill has been $50 to $90 a month. I actually used less electric recently cause I haven’t used the ac and my space heater broke. I also stopped using the second lamp in my bedroom, and took three different lightbulbs out of places to save electric. I just got my new bill for my 1 bedroom apt and it’s $600. I guess I added a wing onto my place and a whole family. These ppl do whatever they want and you can’t do ish about it. I’m livid. If that’s the price now then what happens when I get a new space heater or the ac in the summer. I cannot afford this.

[@leon-fz4cd]

They changed refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, light bulbs, etc. because they said that modern equipment would consume less energy and it turns out that we are paying more than many years ago because the equipment was old and high consumption, everything is a lie for their convenience.

[@whymewhynot2002]

Having this problem near chicago with a legacy meter. This guy nailed it 'they're a monopoly, so they don't care". Filed a complaint today with the ICC.

[@fauxque5057]

My bill went from between $8-$15 a month to $25. a month. I believe it's time to add some more panels and then cancel my electric service

[@vanpearsall]

The only thing smart about the meter It makes money for the company

[@obiwan2112]

Looks like that meter was smart for Xcel

[@gerggerggy7757]

I live in NYand this happened to me. My old rotary meter was replaced with a smart meter. My usage went from 300-450 kwh per month to 900-1000 per month. Of course I got the run around from the company and that it couldn’t possibly be their fault. Our lifestyle did not change at all and our usage at the house from 2020-2022 was always the same. No new appliances, nothing. Then as soon as the smart meter was installed my usage went up double and sometimes triple. Company says my old meter was slow or something is drawing. I dont doubt my meter could be slow, but not that much. What do you do though? You can argue all you want and they couldn’t care less. They refuse to consider something in the meter is the problem.

[@keithterry2169]

I used to work as a meter technician. A retired guy whom I visited told me that a meter he had went faster as it got older. The electric company didn't believe him so he got a friend (ex RAF electician) who put test gear on his system. The meter WAS going faster which resulted in him getting compensation from hie electricity supplier.

[@mary-ellensheehy5564]

The same thing happened in Maine with Central Maine Power. Lawsuits are still going on .

[@yannip2083]

Is that a class action?

[@mary-ellensheehy5564]

@@yannip2083 I believe so.

[@PureBlood777]

A guy was just at my door wanting to install the smart meter I opt out he said it’ll cost me an extra $12 a month for opting out

[@buk6708]

lol, $12 is worth it just to spite that cock sucker

[@chippants]

Did you end up opting out? Our opt-out program in washington state just means they install a non-communicating meter. Whether we opt in or out, they will be removing our meter and replacing with some new digital crap.

[@WXSEDY]

I DON'T have a "smart meter" (yet) and I'm paying less than $50 a month for a 2-bed condo which is exposed to outside weather on 3 walls! How the hell can a simple unheated garage use more? XCel is full of crap! They might not know what they're doing too! I fear I might also be in for a world of financial hurt when XCel finally gets to me. (It already happened when they changed out an old meter in my previous home.)

[@gardenlifelove9815]

It's called racketeering, and engineered theft. The algorithm that runs is double or tripling the amount used and is forcing them to pay more. Not ok

[@Eric_Tennant]

Meter your own power to check them.

[@irishamerican4558]

I've been hearing the words Safe & smart a lot lately, but I have my doubts.

[@colleendougherty4475]

f them when they installed my meter i went totaly of grid no regrets here .

[@PraxZimmerman]

You guys are only paying $100?? My sumer power bill for a single bedroom apartment is $350 in Sacramento 😭😭😭

[@Marie-qt1fb]

Damn my bill in nj is 375 n summer aint start😊

[@lolitabonita08]

yes, that is something I noticed....living with tight income, one learn how to control the usage of AC or the heater....but the bill still coming high...even when u have days u do not use the ac or the heater...

[@ritalaird6819]

this is also happening to me. I'm praying $100 this month and I didn't even use the ac but one single time, no lights on during peak, ever day costs me about $3 don't the most bare minimum of use.

[@curtchase3730]

That guy and others with questionable electric bills should install a 3rd party power consumption monitor system. U can then watch real time usage and it keeps a record of your total Kwh too! They start around $100.00 for an Eyedro unit. I have two units here and compare to my real power bills!

[@cecoya]

They replaced our meter and the LED bulbs they gave everyone is confusing the new meter also light switches that dim confuse it too. Our bill doubled and when we contacted them to give us back the other meter we had they said they don't have any replacements. They can't supposedly make the new meters dumb either. We have tried to contact other energy companies and we get the excuse of Xcel already has their equipment there and they can't rewire it to theirs.

[@juliakathryn2582]

Happened to us in MD when they installed "smart" meters. The meters are only as smart as the humans programming them. Therefore, huge room for error.

[@teknoid77]

Was there any resolution to this? I am currently having the same problem. Electric usage for one month compared to last year went from 39 KW to 839 KW and I have solar. This started happening Xcel installed a smart meter.

[@michaelwerbick]

Yeah... well in New England, National Grid just did a 65% increase Nov1st. and Eversource is going 65% Jan 1...... we had a 35% in March this year too with Eversource.

[@meyatetana2973]

Get what you deserve, people tried to warn public but they refused to listen so whatever

[@ChakatNightspark]

Smart meters are just bad overall. Basically the Smart meter were installed cause it just made the Job Lazier for the Power Company to come check meters and perhaps at some point make it automatic. They are Pointless and Not needed period. Smart Meters Need to go.

[@craiggerber3740]

dte / would like mine ckecked to.. distribution charge was 60$. so 120$ bill normal +60$ for their pocketequals 180$.?

[@GeoffryWK]

Here in South Carolina I have "semi-smart" meter. It does transmit the reading to the passing Company truck, but it still has the rotating disk and dials. The electric rate is constant, no difference between peak and off hour usage. Although a bit higher in Winter at 14.4¢ a kWh. Summer is 13.9¢ a kWh. And the more you use, the lower the rate, but they don't publish that information.

[@testos2701]

Smart foking meters, yeah the good old story applies. Is all about profits, this is what smart meters will do for your country. Increase unemployment, have you thought about that part? Lot's of people will be looking for jobs, increase profits for the electric company, increase your electric bills, expose you to more RF signals, and allows them to know exactly when you are home or not. Last but not least, they will know how much electricity it takes to generate the electricity you use to include wire losses, and they will charge you for it, this is on top of the additional monthly fee for the smart meter they put in your house and if you "opt out" they will charge you even more. Have fun folks, welcome to the united states of corporate america! HEY?

[@Marie-qt1fb]

Im getting a smart meter installed tomorow! This comments are freaking me out! My bill had been 375 n i aint even hse the ac but 4 times

[@tinajbooth365]

I've had an incredible increase since the beginning of this year I was told it's due to their prices going up? But like everyone else they received a COVID-19 payment to cover those that needed help, so things are obviously misappropriated as of a few days ago my bill is $56.00 more? I live in a small apartment.

[@usaintltrade]

FREE ENERGY 🇺🇲🗽⚖️🧬🛡️📜🥇💪

[@robertruge2916]

In Murrieta the smart meter sn tell you currently how many watts are actually being used real time. So i wouid shut everything off and run some one thing such as the air conditioner and then I'd know it takes 5000 watts. I moved and now i don't see jack squat. Its BS

[@ThePorters-c5q]

Same with ku in ky

[@PatrickGuerin-j7h]

Same thing here in upstate NY ,BIG SCAM !!!

[@KatrinaAltmann22]

Having the same problem with Ameren

[@mireederrick1977]

This is great news! 🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@Rasia-lu2ib]

We need another energy source not xcel.

[@louniece1650]

Exactly!

[@climateactionhomes]

The sun ☀️

[@HappyHarryHardon]

Keep voting Republican. They like this capitalism thing.

[@DanielTheisen-l4u]

Government supported monopolies is not capitalism.

[@jizmoglass4202]

why I moved away. the $ went straight to their hedz

[@jizmoglass4202]

very sad. born in Gunnison. Lived in Leadville, Worked at Copper and Breck.

[@YesICanHearIt]

Anyone suing yet?

[@cinemaipswich4636]

If you unplug everything from the wall socket, and flip the Mains Switch, and the meter is still running, then it is broken. Demand a new meter. Electronic meters that read thing remotely (via the power cables) without someone actually being on site to read it (Reading meters is most of the Supply Charge) then you know its a scam.

[@ferrel303]

same :(

[@rosemaryjones5550]

I’m in the UK it’s same here my company illegally changed mine (right to refuse) wouldn’t change back with out me paying £150 lol 27 different faults in 3 months later they changed it back for free

[@laurierockwell-ik3fo]

Maybe channel 7 should evaluate the meter safety. Electric customers are paying more than just dollars. People’s health is suffering and there is increased fire hazard.

[@jasonkorring2533]

Everyone call BBB

[@SSpees]

Yeh, more likely your power is being used by others. Shut off all the power in apt and see if the meter still shows power flow.

[@JohnSmith-ux3tt]

Gotta charge those electric cars. And, just think, more of them are turning up each day. How long before the electric grid fails completely?

[@maryhirsch2909]

They just come and install them.

[@zeke5491]

Wait until everyone is driving electric cars. It’s all about control

[@nickripley1604]

Thats nothing ive been paying 160ish a month and i still owed 1200 so i paid it down to 400 and now i owe over 1000 dollars 600 just added for no reason its like im forced to pay like 2 or 3 years of electronic for no reason at all

[@nahbruv3621]

This is the Era of The Theif

[@jimdrummer816]

They are installing these BS meters at my home soon. They offer that you can keep the old meter for an $80 a month fee!!! That would be on top of your bill. What a scam!!!!

[@MrIan3333]

the well pipe could be leaking and over running the pump.

[@lextacy2008]

THats irrelevant because he installed a 3rd party meter that required usage way less than the smart meter did.

[@MrIan3333]

@@lextacy2008 how is what you are saying factual? it didn't say that in the story.

[@lextacy2008]

@@MrIan3333 re read the story. Then read it again.

[@MrIan3333]

@@lextacy2008 it's a video. are you ok?

[@Richardsmithabcd]

Should we expect anything less from big business. The only difference between them and a common criminal is an education.

[@DB-bw5fz]

People need to look at their consumption rather than just looking at the cost, and also learn their patterns. It paints a much more accurate picture in the long run. If your average cost per KW/h doubles by moving to a smart meter, but your consumption remains the same, your cost will double. Consumption skyrocketing immediately after a meter replacement sounds more like someone incorrectly reporting the reading in the old meter prior to replacement. Multiple months of consumption skyrocketing is a metering problem, plain and simple. I had my power company replace my analog meter with a digital non-smart meter, and I insisted on verifying the reading on the old meter prior to replacement. Power co. had no issues about that, and there were no billing surprises either. Consumption averages remained relatively unchanged as well, so that tells me my meter was functioning correctly.

[@mylesbrooks9149]

Sound like more corruption. Where’s the regulators that are supposed to be looking out for the people?

[@yodaddy82daddy70]

They are in the pockets of the ones they are supposed to protect us from. I just had a Xcel guy come to my door telling me that if I want to opt out I need to pay $50 service fee for the old meter and I'll be charged a monthly fee of $15 from here on out. Sounds like entrapment to me. Scam artists

[@villagecpa]

Let’s Go Brandon!

[@johnscott2849]

hi little stub

[@u.s.militia7682]

I can’t stand it anymore. I do not want this on my home. I will become energy independent somehow.

[@9Crow]

if it say's smart it is usually the opposite

[@janesimmons1861]

they as a monopoly get paid off to do the job for the big guys

[@privateprivate5302]

Same with Ameren!!!! 🤬🤬🤬🤬

[@jamestroy9625]

Smart meters are just what they are, smart. It’s a legalized scam.

[@HarleyDavidsonVince]

I farted while watching this.

[@andreic21]

Smart meters are good as long as they are calibrated correctly and proper wiring. The only reason I see for incorrect measurement are out of calibration or the older meter was registering incorrectly.

[@Crismodin]

The new scam meters, nice.

[@americanliberty4898]

Liberalism at it's finest, you asked for it!

[@kym1988]

Shut the f*ck up. Both parties are greedy as f*ck dummy!

[@americanliberty4898]

@@kym1988 Triggered liberal!

[@SurfFender]

The great California energy rip off - remember ENRON?

[@fentonb9520]

Are you better off now than you were 2 years ago

[@JohnSmith-ux3tt]

No more mweany tweets.

[@teliawendell3965]

This is so crooked

[@god-tx4xz]

I got two bills one day apart for one meter this month. Criminals.

[@jimscofield6857]

Take a "sledgehammer", to that smart-meter, & make it a dumb-meter!!!!

[@matthewmcneill301]

Tee hee