Checking your bills regularly

After buying my first home last year I have finally started to get use to the idea of paying the utility bills. In paying these bills I have come to a few realizations. Since we are always looking at ways to save money or only making sure you are paying for what you get it is important to read your bills carefully and compare their billing numbers to actual usage. Here are some things to look out for.

Your Gas bill (Enbridge for most)

It is always good to check your bill to see if they are estimating numbers or using actual. In many cases they are only going to try to read your meters about 3 to 4 times a year. In the imbetween they are estimating your numbers based on the previous season average usage for the area. Note a family of 2 will use less gas then a family of 4 living in the same type of dwelling. Your meter is always located outside the house. With Enbridge they allow residences to enter the meter reading online or by phone. Best to always do a check of your bill right when you get it and call in the diference right away and speak with a representative to make sure the change is made. In my case they had estimated my usage to be about 500 cubic meters more than what I had actually used for the first 7 months of living in my house. You can image how much extra someone is paying.

Your Water Bill

The meter is always located inside the house usually in the basement. For the city of Ottawa case you have to call in to give your meter reading after you receive your bill. They will adjust it and send you a new one with 1 to 2 business days.

Your Electricity Bill

The meter is located outside and in many cases we have the digital meters which are pretty accurate but still always worth a second look.

Hope these tips help and you all can save some money or reduce your next utility bill. Also remember to click on a couple of adds to help sponsor this site.