# Power bill is 2x what others in same floor plan condos is **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 14, 2011, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-bill-is-2x-what-others-in-same-floor-plan-condos-is/599676 "2011-10-14T21:46:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f0a364/32.png) [@kimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kimera)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-bill-is-2x-what-others-in-same-floor-plan-condos-is/599676/21 "2011-10-16T02:19:47Z")
Just adding support to what others have said because I had this exact same problem. My bills went from about $30 a month to much higher (can’t remember the exact amount now). I shut down and unplugged every appliance I could, turned off all the breakers, then checked the meter, which was still running. It turned out some wiring had been done incorrectly and I was paying for the apartment above me too. If that doesn’t work, try taking detailed notes of the meter while you slowly turn the breakers on one by one, then add appliances. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-bill-is-2x-what-others-in-same-floor-plan-condos-is/599676/23 "2016-05-27T15:11:47Z")
Spam reported. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-bill-is-2x-what-others-in-same-floor-plan-condos-is/599676/24 "2016-05-27T15:35:29Z")
Aww… I read through this zombie thread and there’s no resolution and no answers. ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-bill-is-2x-what-others-in-same-floor-plan-condos-is/599676/25 "2016-05-27T15:52:31Z")
Saying your power bill is 2X only means it is costing you more not that you are using 2X the amount of power. Look at your bill it should indicate how many KWH you used over the billing period. Then find out how much your neighbors are using. Because of tiered billing schedules comparing amounts can be comparing apples and oranges. 150w at 120 VAC is only 1.25 amps unless your frigs is small that is low. I would expect from 3 to 5 depending on size and as high as 10 depending on age. YOu can start by turning off all breakers in your panel. See if any neighbors are complaining about loss of power. Depending on the type of meter you have, if mechanical after turning off all the breakers look at the wheel to see if it is still turning. If it is electronic it should give KWH, Amps or KW, and Volts. With the breakers after a few minutes does the Amps or KW go to zero? Check meter and if it goes to zero usage turn the breakers on one at a time and see how much power is being consumed. See if you can determine the high draw circuit. If you can determine what is on that circuit. Or you can use an amp prob. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-bill-is-2x-what-others-in-same-floor-plan-condos-is/599676/26 "2016-05-27T15:55:42Z")
This is a zombie thread revived by a spammer(now removed), and the OP no longer posts here. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-bill-is-2x-what-others-in-same-floor-plan-condos-is/599676/27 "2016-05-27T18:00:52Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > unplug and turn off everything in your unit. then watch your meter. Yep. I had a unit that was drawing like yours and that was because another unit was stealing their power. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-bill-is-2x-what-others-in-same-floor-plan-condos-is/599676/28 "2016-05-27T18:02:19Z")
> [@dracoi](#): > > It’s simpler to throw a few breaker switches to turn everything off, rather than having to manually switch off/unplug everything. > > . Might not show that power is being stolen. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-bill-is-2x-what-others-in-same-floor-plan-condos-is/599676.md?page=1)