Untold use of electricity

[LADL]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? PA

Hello all, We live in a two apartment building as part of a community. I just found out that the light that is being use in our Hall way that says on 24/7 and outside the apartment that comes on at night is coming out of my electric line that we pay for. There's no off/on switch for both lights. It's was not told that we had to pay for that lighting and it doesn't state it on the lease either. It's been over a year since we moved in and we just notice it. Do anyone think we have any legal rights to go after these people? They don't even use energy efficient lightbulbs either.

 

[FarmerJ]

your elect co can assist you coming up with a estimated monthly useage number then its not hard to use a calculator and figure out the percentage of power cost adjustment and taxes + per kwh to come up with a number and send to the LL letter via certified mail stating what you know, that those lights are not disclosed to you in your lease and you shouldnt have to pay for them since it wasnt disclosed to you and the value of the useage averaged out and then ask for a refund of what you paid to run them or you wont have any choice but to invite inspections in to look and see if there is any other utils that are crossed into common areas or the other unit and sue him in small claims for the useage since he chose to not disclose to you they were on your meter.

 

[BetterThanCarl]

act 54 foreign load

Plug that into your search engine and watch the sparks fly.

 

[Gail in Georgia]

A fun site to caculate energy usage:

http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/howmuch.html

A 60 watt light on 24/7 - average monthly cost $6.75.

Gail

 

[aabbcc]

How much money are we talking about?

From previous post you can estimate the monthly cost.

Why not change the bulbs to compact fluorescents. These days you can buy them for a buck (on sale).

Since it will only cost roughly $1.50 (likely less) to run a 13 watt cfl 24/7, you may want to consider this before you start an argument that may result in non-renewal of your lease.

You may be correct, but moving may cost more. Only you can decide how to proceed.