dpb wrote:
Kravynn wrote:
...
....My electric bill is more than my rent at this point. I'm a
single mom and I'm in a state of panic.

One more diagnostic check...turn absolutely everything in the house off
(unplug the refrigerator if need or wait until it cycles off and trip
the breaker to the water heater) and go check the meter--it should not
be moving. If it is, you have either something still on and drawing
power or a meter problem or a leak-path problem. If this shows a
problem, get your brother back w/ his clamp-on ammeter and have him
help you find out where it's going or have the utility company check
for a service problem on their side first.

The point is, the bill is high because the metered usage is high--you
need to know where the usage is to know what to attack first.

The thought of the refrigerator reminds me of another related to it--if
you haven't done so for a while, check behind it and clean the
coils--they're a wonderful collector and the accumulated dirt and
fuzz-balls kills efficiency.

Reason I know 'bout the fridge thing. Once someone gave my wife one for
a small retail shop she ran. They put it in the basement and the elec
bill was almost $200 higher the next month. We tossed it and bought a
new cheapie and the bill want back down to almost where it was before.