Doesn't seem that high considering they have been warning everyone of huge rate increases for over a year now. I have gas heat but have an electric window AC, my power bill for a month averaged $300 over the summer(which is about double what I paid previous summers). I am in a studio apartment too.

Also how old is the electric heater? ... They eat power worse than an AC unit does, especially if they are on the older side... Hopefully it isn't a wall unit, even brand new those things are terribly inefficient.

An Air Conditioner has a COP (coefficient of performance) of 4 while electric heat is 1. Which means you can move 4 units of air-conditioning with the same electric use as moving only 1 unit of heat. So already AC is more efficient, add to that AC is lowering the temp usually no more than 10 degrees, and heat is routinely 40 degrees, you are talking around 8 times the daily AC use for heat.

I'd certainly lower that thermostat and bundle up.

Also, as others have mentioned, getting a third party electric supplier is good, and you have to be on top of the rate - I like Inspire or Ambit as they don't have cancellation fees. It's predicted next winter will be much much worse electric rates than this winter, since MA is dependent on natural gas from Europe (and thus Russia) for our electricity production.

My last bill was doubled from the month before. National Grid had a 64% increase in their rates today

Rushford and Sons Brewery in Upton has been doing some nights.

It really depends on the unit / construction. Our 2nd floor apartment is 1000sqft with natural gas heat, newer construction, newer windows, energy efficient appliances, etc. We literally leave the thermostat at 72 all year round. Never had a bill over $200 in summer or winter. We stay quite insulated.

Our previous place was on the top-floor of creaky triple-decker with old-ass appliances, drafty windows, etc. It was a downright struggle to keep it at 68. It seemed like the heat would blast non-stop and it was still cold.

Conventional electric heat in MA is almost always more expensive than gas or oil (not including electric heat pumps which are more efficient). It makes sense that it would be even worse this year with the enormous rate hikes.

I don’t think I’ve ever turned my heat above 60 at night. She’ll be fine. A down comforter, a programmable thermostat and being open to chilly nighttime bathroom trips could save her some money.

That reminds me of my first house. It was around the same sq footage but a barn in the winter. We rented it first and bought it and the first year, we lived in a camper in the yard while a I stripped the whole house to the studs. It was the beginning of a nightmare, it was built with odds and ends of construction debris. Random studding, some studs married pieces, no insulation, and odd lengths of Romex spliced and wrapped in electrical tape for wiring. The electric service was 60 amps and fuses. Only the roof framing was done right. Fortunately all of my friends are in the trades and we have always helped each other out. It was a lot of work but it didn't cost a lot and I made money on it when I sold it. This is why there's codes and inspections.

I think that’s it, especially if it’s in like that all day. If she’s in an apartment anything like mine the heat from the neighbors on all sides seeps in. 2 bed mill style with poor insulation but keeps my apartment at 65 without having to turn my heat on. If my heats on at 68 for a full month my bill would be around 4-500.

Check to make sure she didn’t accidentally sign up for renewable sourced energy, they quote me 2x+ for the same service as well

Yeah, it's a mystery for sure. I'm an old Worcester kid who grew up in three deckers in main south and we had some shady neighbors who would jump gas and electric meters. That's what this feels like to me and the first thing I thought of when she told me.

Palmer

No, I think it might be something like there's something shady going on or outdoor lighting is be charged to her. There was a major reno there before she moved in and something might have gone amok who knows.

That's at least six rooms she has half that and the rooms are small.

That sounds a bit drastic, 65 maybe.

Can she program the thermostat to go to 62 when she’s asleep or out?

Ed hyders is amazing and Bahnaans. Also, the vietnamese grocer on green street is also great and super inexpensive. Crown meats on goldstar sells fantastic meats (i think they might be brazilian, not sure). Also, birchtree is fantastic for fresh breads.

Any recommendations from Patel brothers I haven’t been but live close and like easy and authentic cooking and prepared dishes

Check out the public market and Golemo’d Polish market on the same area (Kelley Square)

> The owners are super nice

SECONDED

So does keeping your heat at 68

my bf lives in a 4bd in main south and his was also $400, it tripled in cost

also important: he lives in a triple decker lol

Worcester and Shrewsbury both have the best food shopping and restaurant choices in Metrowest all concentrated in a small area.

She's not at the grid, is she? I didn't spend a single day in my apartment over the summer, and the electricity was off and still got a 60 dollar electric bill.

What town in Hampden County? I’m assuming more eastward to Worcester (Brimfield, Holland, Palmer maybe?) since you’re posting here. I grew up in that area and can probably look into the utility rates there if need be.

I was living in Boston for a while and had an Indian roommate who would take me to Patel Brothers in Waltham a couple times a month. I've heard good things about the Patel Brothers in Shrewsbury especially to get good prices on spices, but I still haven't been to the Shrewsbury location.

Seconding this for Swedish baked goods - the Princess Torte is amazing but order a week in advance!