How do I check my apartment electric meter?
first call the company and confirm that the reading is correct, if you just got the bill and it really jumped, its possible someone just transposed a couple of digits on the meter when they entered it into the billing system. If the meter reads about right for the billing statement, then I would look into the possible sources of additional use since the last bill. One is that the bill has been estimated for several months and is now being adjusted to reality. This would mean that you might have had a modest increase in usage over time and its coming home to roost in one bill. the utility company could tell you that as well. At that point, looking for the water heater leak, or something you have plugged in that you didn't realize might have started to malfunction, or something isn't working correctly and consumes more energy in the process. etc. To test for a leak in your meter system, shut off your main breaker at the panel and watch your meter dials. If the meter still runs with the main shut off, you have an outlet or a patch into your meter that doesn't run through your panel. You might be powering something in the apartments common area, or a neighbor's outlet that they just started using. If this turns out to be the case, the landlord should work with you to straighten it out. Good luck!
Can an apartment complex legally lock it's utility meter rooms?
So, the apartment complex in which I live in has an electric meter room. They constantly keep it locked, and I feel like that's not fair to me (as a tenant), because I can never gain access to the room to get an accurate meter reading to submit to the electric company. The past 5 readings have been estimated, and come to find out that the apartment complex maintenance crew had changed the locks, and the utility company had not been issued a new key... Long story short; not even the utility company had access to that room! Thus resulting in higher electric bills due to inaccurate estimates for energy usage. So, in short; Is it legal for an apartment complex to keep it's utility meter room locked? It doesn't seem legal, but it sure isn't fair to the tenants who actually care about saving money... Thanks for any advice!
I live in an apartment complex and there is this electrical room for our building next to my bedroom (apartment next door). Is there any danger/health/safety concern? Can I measure EM field or anything else to make sure it is safe?
The question of electromagnetic fields being able to harm human beings has been around for a long time, and as yet there is no firm evidence that low frequency EM fields are hazardous of themselves.However, if you are concerned then you should educate yourself on the matter.DO NOT read the scare-mongering websites which are out to exploit your fears and thereby sell you an EM field detector and EM blankets which purport to remove EM fields from your home. They are the modern day equivalent of snake oil salesmen, they prey on fears and exploit weak people for profit.As a general rule, read anything which cites peer-reviewed articles, and preferably randomised controlled (preferably double-blinded) trials. These will provide you with answers rather than fears. The following article is from the World Health Organisation, and will get you started.Electromagnetic fields and public healthIf you are concerned, then first arm yourself with knowledge; only then consider obtaining an EM field meter. It is very easy to build meters which will provide false alerts at levels of EM fields way below anything that can affect biological tissue. These devices are meant to make you afraid, not keep you safe. The article listed above provides field levels for EM … with the knowledge you gain, you will be able to make sensible decisions.Regards, Tony Barry
If you felt your electric meter was running fast, how would you go about finding out for sure?
turn absolutely everything off, including your halide grow-op lights in the basement, until you notice that the meter wheel is not turning at all. Then turn things on one-by-one until you figure out what is sucking all the energy. If you feel that the meter is defective, you may call your utility company to complain and within a week they will send you a letter saying that they inspected it and that it is within normal working parameters. Good Luck! ~Mr. Schmegicky
Does the rent at an apartment usually include electric and water?
I own a few apartment buildings and houses and it kind of depends on the person who I am renting to. If they are someone reliable, I will cheapen the rent and let them pay the utilities themselves to help build credit etc. But if I think they are mouth breathing deadbeats, I jack up the rent and I pay for them. I don't know where you are getting an apartment, but it also depends on how the units are set up. If they are individually metered, you may have the option. Unless the building has been recently remodeled, chances are the utilities all come on one bill, and the owner pays for it by jacking up your rent.
Is it possible my neighbors in my apartment complex hooked into and used our electricity, thus increasing my usage and bill three fold?
It's possible but they need to have access to your electricity meter because they would have to hook to your network after your electricity meter.To find out yourself, figure out how to monitor that your electricity meter is runnning (incrementing). It's normally either the rotating disc type (the disc would be rotating) or new electronic digital numbers type (numbers will increment). Once you are able to identify that it's incrementing, turn off the main breaker to your premises and monitor the meter. If it keeps incrementing then something is wrong. This means someone hooked into your network between the meter and your main breaker.Though if someone hooked into your network after your main breaker then their power will also be cut off and obviously the meter will stop incrementing. However if they are home and you turn your breaker off and hide then they may come out to investigate and you can figure out that something is wrong. If you're not familiar with how to identify the main breaker or how to turn breakers off and on safely then get someone who knows how to accompany you.A simpler way is to ask your apartment's management or utility company to help you investigate.
What does an apartment mean when it has Washer/dryer in unit?
~~I would take that to mean you will have a washer and dryer inside your apartment. Your only cost would be the water and energy to run them.~~
My neighbors electricity is shut off and they want to run a cord from my house to theirs?
Okay, so I live in a duplex and the people next door had their electricity shut off for non payment today, and now they have a huge cord stretched from the house next door to their back porch window. Im so scared it is going to start a fire so I said something to them. They said if I had a problem with it that I could let them use my electricity and we could run a wire through the basements. I said no because as far as Im concerned its the same thing. I called the landlord but he is on vacation for the next 2 weeks. Who should I call if anyone? What should I say? Anyone know if this is even illegal? We live in PA. They have no children its just a guy and his girlfriend. Neither one have health issues, they are just too lazy to work. I know its probably in the wrong catagory, but I wasn't sure what it would fall under...sorry!