AN elderly woman from Long Island has shelled out much more cash than needed on her energy bills, overpaying for more than a decade due to a costly mistake.
The bill error, ongoing for 11 years, came down to a nuance in the company’s coding system.
The 92-year-old New Yorker recently found out that she had been paying more than needed on her National Grid energy bill for a decade.
“I thought it was outrageous, the bill I got,” she told CBS News. “We just look at the sum and we will pay the bill.”
The overpayment situation came down to an error on the senior citizen’s part, with the woman failing to inform the utility company when she switched from oil to gas.
The 92-year-old taught herself all the specifics of National Grid codes and charges, saying that she would not be fooled again.
“The code I was on was 140 with National Grid, but my bill said 120,” said the Long Island resident, meaning that she was being charged at a higher gas appliance rate than space heating rate when she converted from oil to gas.
The homeowner made the switch 11 years ago, according to her son Christopher, who lives in Texas.
I thought it was outrageous, the bill I got. We just look at the sum and we will pay the bill.”
“My mother has kept every single bill,” he told CBS News.
The family recently reached out to the utility company to pressure it to remedy the situation.
While National Grid treated them with respect, according to Christopher, he feared that many others could be in a similar situation.
“There could be thousands of customers who are overpaying,” he said.
AN EXPENSIVE MISTAKE
Like the 92-year-old’s son, lawmakers are concerned that many more utility customers could have made the same, expensive misstep.
Mario Mattera, a state senator from the senior citizen’s district, is pursuing legislation that could protect customers in similar circumstances, Suffolk County legislator Robert Trotta told CBS News.
“God knows how many other people are paying the wrong rate for their gas,” said Trotta.
Although National Grid does not have to refund overpayment due to incorrect rate codes, the company said it will work with the Long Island woman’s family.
Low-cost tips to stay cool this summer
Here are some tips to help you keep cool this hot season and save money on energy costs:
- Close the curtains during daylight hours
- Change the filters on your AC unit and ensure it is operating as efficiently as possible
- Run the blades of your fan counterclockwise to push the cold air downward
- Avoid using appliances like your oven, dishwasher, or dryer, which emit heat when in use
- Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothes indoors
- Sleep with sheets instead of heavy blankets
- Drink lots of water and use ice to lower your body temperature
Source: AARP
“We understood the customer’s concerns and are working with them toward an equitable solution,” the company said in a statement.
National Grid noted that its automated review had already updated the rate before the family reached out, and the company “regrets any frustration this may have caused.”
“Each year, we proactively review accounts to help ensure customers are on the most appropriate rate, even if they haven’t contacted us,” said the company.
The elderly woman said her situation should be a lesson for others.
“We are looking at other things now, the codes,” she said, warning others to be more conscious.
The 92-year-old isn’t the only one facing frustratingly high energy bills.
One homeowner refused to pay their $640 electricity bill after a “crazy” new surcharge soared by $230 in just two months.
Meanwhile, electricity bills are projected to spike by $130 for each household in a US state after a policy switch.
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