Question
My wife and I live in a large apartment complex with more than 30 apartments. We moved into the building in July 2007. At first, our electric bill was only around $70 a month until winter came along. The only electric appliances we have are the usual lights, kitchen appliances (stove, frig, microwave), a small hot water tank which is on our bill every month. During the summer months with the air running the bill was still only $80 a month. Last January we received our first winter heating bill which was near $500 for a tiny 2 bedroom, 1 bath apt. which is approximately 700 square feet. My wife nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw the bill. We use the spare bedroom for storage and do not use the baseboard heater in that room. We heat the master bedroom and livingroom/kitchen area. Which means we probably only heat around 600 or so square feet. The heaters are as old as the building. The building was probably built in the late 1970's or early 1980's. We had baseboard heating in the rental that we had before the apartment and the bill only ran around $200 a month. We had a washer/dryer and dishwasher also included on that bill. My neighbor today got her bill and started cussing. It was over $500 and the month of December wasn't really that cold. We live in NE Ohio. One neighbor said that the heaters should be replaced with newer more energy efficient ones. Also, the landlord does not heat the hallways or lobby area. My sister-in-law was waiting one day for my wife in the main lobby and said it was so cold that she was shivering. By the way, we are planning to move next spring. What we pay for heating and rent we could live in a luxury apartment. Should I contact anyone about the condition of the heating in these apartments? Is something wrong with the heaters? Thanks for any answers.