Electricity Bill

[murf]

I have been on PD about three months and got my latest electricity bill. What a shock (no pun suggested). One of my family members suggested that the bag warmer may have caused the upsurge in usage. Do others on PD notice a change in electricity when they first started?

[okarol]

I don't know about the usage. I do know that in the US that some cities have a discounted rate for dialysis patients. Is there something similar there from your utility company?

[Jie]

I do not note any changes. The bill is paid automatically any way.  I think I used more, but our rate was low for more than a year due to adequate waters. If hydropower is not enough, the rate would be a lot higher. 

[Poppylicious]

We've only just started using it, but I wouldn't be surprised if I don't notice any increase as we constantly have an aquarium filter and a pond pump going anyway.  Plus, I pay by Direct Debit and rarely take any notice of my bills (I really should grow up and pay attention to these things). 

Apparently we'll get £15 a quarter towards our electricity bill, but I'm not sure where that comes from, or if it will be enough to cover the extra electricity that we use. 

[peleroja]

Don't know where you live, Murf, but here in SoCal Edison will give you a discount if you and your doctor fill out a form.  My electricity bill was cut by a third after I signed up.

[ceejster]

Not sure where you are coming from, but - here in Massachusetts, my mom uses a liberty cycler - we didn't notice a huge change in the electric bill, but with our utility company if you qualify for certain gov't programs (SSSI, etc.) then they will offer discounted electric & gas rates.

[jbeany]

My local offers a discount rate for anyone with life support equipment in the home - O2, dialysis, etc.  I had to get a form and have my doc sign it.

[*kana*]

I don't know about the usage. I do know that in the US that some cities have a discounted rate for dialysis patients. Is there something similar there from your utility company?

Thank you for this info.  I just printed out the form and I can save 4.90 a month.  lol

[murf]

Anyone in Oz know if there some sort of electricity discount for patients on home dialysis?

[RichardMEL]

Anyone in Oz know if there some sort of electricity discount for patients on home dialysis?

I don't know specifically but why don't you talk to your renal unit's social worker about it? I'm sure there's health care consessions and that kind of thing available to use. Perhaps it's just something they can help you organise?