These Nova Scotians got extreme power bills. They're not alone
CBC
When Josh Feaver opened his most recent power bill, he felt both stumped and defeated.
The energy charges from Nova Scotia Power total $1,591.37 for the period spanning Dec. 13 to Feb. 14. That's not including taxes or the additional $773.32 he still owes from his previous bill.
Feaver said he's on the brink of being disconnected, which has left him looking for a second job.
"It will be a job for Nova Scotia Power and then a job to live," he said.
The 26-year-old rents a two-bedroom apartment in Bridgewater, N.S., with his girlfriend, their dog, two cats and pet snake. Their unit is on the top floor of an older home with a heat pump. They moved in last April.
They plug in a space heater for about an hour on cold mornings, Feaver said, but he still doesn't understand why his energy consumption spiked so high. They've unplugged the microwave and typically don't turn on any lights until after 10 p.m., he added.
"Even last month to this month, the math doesn't add up because my bill doubled."
He said he called Nova Scotia Power three times and was told the problem is likely the heat pump. When he asked the utility to send someone to read his meter, he said they refused.
After CBC News contacted the utility about his situation, they contacted Feaver to investigate further.
Chris Lanteigne, director of customer care with Nova Scotia Power, said his team often works with tenants to examine previous power bills and help determine usage patterns.
More generally, Lanteigne said there were several days of "extreme cold" in January that likely influenced higher energy usage across the province.
Feaver isn't the only one in disbelief over his latest power bill. More than 2,500 people have signed a petition calling on the provincial government to intervene after many of them also experienced rate shock.
A rate increase of 6.5 per cent came into effect on Jan. 1, but customers are questioning why their bills jumped much higher.
Danielle Fraser of Westville, N.S., said her energy costs tripled. According to her bill, she used 4,268 kilowatts in January compared to 1,832 kilowatts in November.
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