Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Bonibelle on July 18, 2006, 10:02:05 am
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Wow, they say things happen for a reason. I was whining about my really long water change. The plumber just left and it turns out that there is a problem in my well. There is a hole in the pipe so my well pump runs continuously. He said it has probably been running like that for a long while and just got much worse and that is what caused the pressure drop. AND by the way...Have I been noticing REALLY HIGH ELECTRIC BILLS?????
I have been fighting with my electric company for months, decided to get rid of my freezer, drove poor Cola nuts trying to test my meter...and all along it was my well pump! I am relieved but VERY angry. My electric company sent a rep out to determine what was wrong and she would only point to the hot tub and my freezer.
She was rude and insisted that the tub was a giant hot water heater on my deck! I plan on letting them know how really helpful she wasn't! >:( >:( They really need to get a new attitude about hot tubs in general. She had the opportunity to actually help me solve my problem, but instead she caused me more aggrivation!
So today I am ;D, ....I am sure the $$$$ I will spend on this repair will pay for itself in reduced electric bills ;)
Thanks to everyone who tried to help me get to the bottom of this...and especially my friend, Cola, ;)
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Horray! You found the culprit! ( I hope).
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I don't have a lot of customers with private wells, so I never would have thought to add that to the list of things to check when the bills go high. I will try to remember that one.
Is there a way to install a little light or something that will tell you when the pump is running - maybe something you can see in or from the house - so this doesn't happen again? The farmers around here put lights up on poles which can be seen across the field.
In my experience, once one part of a plumbing system breaks down, the rest is close behind. So keep an eye on that well pump as the plumbing in the whole system may be all the same age and condition.
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This is all fitting together, Chas. I have noticed that when I turn my water softening system off, like when I filled my tub, I get more iron. The plumber said that was because the pump was constantly bumping and stirring up the sediment so it never settled out of the well. I have the whole house filtration and neutralizer because my water is acid and I knew eventually my copper would be attacked. I am therefore pretty confident that my issues will be from the well to the house. I will ask the well company however if this is an indication that I could have more problems in the line to the house. I just feel so much better today knowing that there is a real reason that my electric is so high!
I think I will still get rid of that freezer! Thanks everyone again for all your help!
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Well Bonnie, I'm glad that was finally straightened out. What finally led you to the well pump? Did the plumber just accidentally find that or was he looking?
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Glad to hear it is getting worked out and hopefully the frustrations will stop.
Happy soaking.
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Boni,
Great to hear your solving your problem. I remember bantering with you about the bills a few months ago.
Unfortunately, OURS still exists. Like I said last week, I chalk it up to raping us So Cal customers with outrageous rates. We'd be paying over $150 a month with NO tub.....
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Bonni,
I am most happy that you finally figured it out as you know with our Pm's that something had to be wrong as I am running 4 spas for much less than you seemed to be running one....hope it is just soothing happy soaks from now on..... :D
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I'm glad you solved the mystery! Now, relax. :)
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This is funny, I have tried to let Mother Nature help out with heating my tub, but I guess the insulation is just too good! My pool is about 92 degrees today, my tub is still frigid! Cool enough to chill the wine I bought to celebrate my next electric bill! ;)
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I'm not a drinker, but if I was, I might recommend Two-Buck Chuck for an occasion like this!
(http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20040617/images/2004-06-17wines.jpg)
It's cheaper than milk, which, come to think of it, I also don't drink.
;)
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two buck chuck is now three bucks around here. :P
/good stuff.
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...My electric company sent a rep out to determine what was wrong and she would only point to the hot tub and my freezer.
She was rude and insisted that the tub was a giant hot water heater on my deck!...She had the opportunity to actually help me solve my problem, but instead she caused me more aggrivation!
Bonibelle,
Just a thought...
I think you would be able to make a case that the electric company is responsible for some of the $$$ since their employee didn't really try to find the cause of the problem.
It sure wouldn't hurt to try! :)
Any lawyers want to speak up? We're all ears! ;D
Phil
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Hey Boni
Glad to see that you finally found the rat. Considdering that a 1 hp pool pump will run you about $100.00 a month running 24/7 at 11 cents per kWh, I would say that this may be it. Hats off to you your plumber. Ask electric company bit** to come over for a bow and kick her a** down the well.
Steve
BTW everybody, Bonibelle is by no means a pain, just sweetness.
I guess that T.E.D. thing might have helped to find the culprit after all (http://theenergydetective.com/features.asp)
Steve
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Know what Phil, I get really angry, but then I cool down when I put everything into perspective. My feelings right now are that I am thankful that I finally have an answer. I will probably write a letter or maybe even several letters because I feel like my electric company contributed to the problem by placing the blame on my hot tub.
I paid an electrician to come and re-check my tub wiring, my dealer sent a technician to assure that my tub components were functioning right. I spent hours doing experiments with my electric meter and I bought $200.00 worth of florescent light bulbs and switches to change out all my bulbs and change my dimmers. This all amounted to wasted gas, money and energy It may also have slowed my progress in finding the real source. To top it off, I was going to buy an electric meter contraption for $249.00 and a new freezer for $450.00. (I may still get that new freezer).
I think that if the electric company is going to send someone to help find the problem, and rule out the meter, then that is what the person should do. They should also use a bit of diplomacy and not insult the customer! >:(
Given the current electric rates and energy crisis, it would be a great service to do random energy audits to help everyone conserve where possible. The extra electric that I have be wasting for who knows how long...probably could have provided enough electric to air condition some less privledged person's bedroom during this heat wave.
I am not done with this issue yet, but I have to figure out how it can help someone else, because I know PECO isn't going to claim responsibility for anything. >:(
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You're the MAN, Steve, thanks again, so much! ;)
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a belated
HOT DAMN AND HALLELUJIAH!!!!
now may you and your hubby enjoy the tub with ALL jets on full blast for many hours to come! ;D
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Hi Boni,
Glad you found your problem. You probably had galvanized pipe on that pump. You might want to replace it with plastic pump drop pipe and eliminate corrosion problems. If you do, make sure they fasten a nylon rope to the pump to facilate removal in case of a break(unlikely) or unthreading of pipe. If the well is too deep for plastic pipe you could go stainless steel, good but pricey. I would go from the well to house with PVC to eliminate corrosion and rusting problems in the future.
Good luck, Oscar
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Bonibelle,
Just a thought...
I think you would be able to make a case that the electric company is responsible for some of the $$$ since their employee didn't really try to find the cause of the problem.
It sure wouldn't hurt to try! :)
Any lawyers want to speak up? We're all ears! ;D
Phil
No way would the public utility be responsible or liable in any way. Even if they charged Bonnie to come out and look around, they carry no liability to Bonnies personal property or thier electrical consumption.
(oh, I'm not a lawyer, but I did sleep in a holiday inn last night,).
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I am glad you found your problem. But I have to think....that if my truck all of a sudden got really bad mileage, I could not blame it on Shell, Exon etc. no matter what the gas station attendant said. I think perhaps your electrician could have helped you a little more by trying to isolate your high consumption by using a portable watt meter on plug in devices like your ref. They could also use clamp on ampmeters for non plug in devices. A low tech methed is to watch the power meter and cycle breakers to find what circuits are drawing abnormal power.
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I am glad you found your problem. But I have to think....that if my truck all of a sudden got really bad mileage, I could not blame it on Shell, Exon etc. no matter what the gas station attendant said. I think perhaps your electrician could have helped you a little more by trying to isolate your high consumption by using a portable watt meter on plug in devices like your ref. They could also use clamp on ampmeters for non plug in devices. A low tech methed is to watch the power meter and cycle breakers to find what circuits are drawing abnormal power.
I can agree with some of what you are saying....In hindsight yes perhaps the electrician could have done something more but It is my understanding that the power company has an obligation to help find the cause of the high use and that is why they provide this service ....but if the people who are sent out are not competent in their job than what is the use.....
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I agree with the Mighty Mendo Man. If the princess they sent out couldn't help, at least she should have said so. That would have prompted more investigation which might have uncovered the trouble sooner. Blaming the tub/freezer and then leaving amounts to malpractice.
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Just for the 'heck' of it, I checked my electric company's (Progress Energy) website and made a call to customer service. YMMV Their only obligation was to provide power up to and including the meter. From then on, its your electrician. There are exceptions to this when they offer surge protection and service contract (monthly fee) for electrical problems in the house. They then are obligated from the meter to the plug. No appliances, or other connected equipment (hot tub etc) are covered. They do offer 'energy audits' which is looking at insulation, window seals, temperature settings on your A/C unit etc and offer some rebates to your bill if you were to upgrade to a higher efficency units. They also give credit if you let them control your A/C and H/W heater at peak times of the day. I am located in central florida, and the heat pump is on 24/7. Last months bill was for 1015 KWH in a 2300 SF house with (1) hot tub.!! ;D
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I don't expect PECO to do any more than they said they would. Because I did everything that each of the customer service people told me to do,(change out light bulbs and get rid of dimmer switches) and my bill still remained high, they agreed to come verify that my meter was calibrated properly and to help me find my problem. I had checked with several friends and neighbors who have houses the size of mine and 4 family members, AND who used electric to heat their hot water, they weren't even close to my bill. (I don't heat my water with electric) I told the elec company rep. I was prepared to buy a meter to see if I could identify my electric hog. He told me to save my money until their rep did an audit. So to me that meant that they intended to help me. My real issue was that the Electric Princess that they sent got out of her truck marched to my back yard to check out my tub and without any further analysis she blasted me for questioning my bill when I had a Giant hot water heater ON my deck! She went on to tell me that hot tub dealers were all liars and of course the tub is causing my problem because ALL tubs are running ALL the time even when they are off....HUH?
Anyway I am just getting all fired up about this goofy woman for nothing, it is over...and she was wrong...but because I was actually misled by her information.. .and attitude, I feel the electric company was wrong! She represented them and she didn't know what she was doing!
Here is my analogy: If my truck all of a sudden got bad mileage and I went to the gas station and they said we can help you, don't pay for a mechanic, our guy can check that for you and "thier guy" tells me my truck has bad mileage because it is a Ford truck and didn't I expect to get bad gas mileage after all ...Ford dealers are liars because no matter what ...Fords never get good mileage, they just run even when they are parked in the garage and turned off!
That may sound stupid, but as I look back that is just how stupid the "energy audit" that the Electric Princess with 30 years experience was!
Oh and she also told me that replacing my light bulbs was a waste of time and money and who ever told me to do that was talking about pennies...not dollars of savings (the PECO rep on the phone was the one who first suggested replacing all my light bulbs)!
So to sum it all up, I am not blaiming the electric company for my faulty pump. But what I am saying is if the Electric Princess said, your meter is functioning properly and since your electrician checked your tub, perhaps there is another problem and you should hire another electircian...or anything. But the misleading information that she gave me just clouded the discovery of the real problem. >:(
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Just for the 'heck' of it, I checked my electric company's (Progress Energy) website and made a call to customer service. YMMV Their only obligation was to provide power up to and including the meter. From then on, its your electrician. There are exceptions to this when they offer surge protection and service contract (monthly fee) for electrical problems in the house. They then are obligated from the meter to the plug. No appliances, or other connected equipment (hot tub etc) are covered. They do offer 'energy audits' which is looking at insulation, window seals, temperature settings on your A/C unit etc and offer some rebates to your bill if you were to upgrade to a higher efficency units. They also give credit if you let them control your A/C and H/W heater at peak times of the day. I am located in central florida, and the heat pump is on 24/7. Last months bill was for 1015 KWH in a 2300 SF house with (1) hot tub.!! ;D
Coincidently I had a customer in my store yesterday and this very issue was discussed as that is his job QC and the field reps ( So Cal gas)...and we spoke about what they do and I asked if Edison ( So Cal).....offered the same service and he said yes to what they can be held accountable is questionable...but with the gas company it is in their best interest to isolate the any problems as safety would of concern.....