We've all been frustrated lately with extra-high utukity bills - only to discover our last few months of billings have been ESTIMATED and now we finally get an ACTUAL bill that seems outrageous by comparison.Look carefully at your electric and gas bills each month. If they are estimated, you can call the utility company with your own reading and have them rebill you. If you are hit with an absurdly high bill and find out it is an actual reading - but your last few months have been estimated -- call the utility to work out an amicable payment plan. They are required to do this - with no additional fees, interest or penalties accruing.
And you should read this GREAT informative article that was in the Freeport Journal-Standard on January 15, 2011. http://www.journalstandard.com/news/x512659095/5-things-you-should-know-about-estimated-billing-and-balloon-bills (Copy and paste into your browser if the link doesn't work for you.)
Remember to pay attention to this "estimated reading" practice all year long!
