ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Standby generator problem

I installed a !0 k Koler gen set
last summer W/ an auto transfer switch
did a bunch of them before y2k hit
now the homeowner called me and asked why her
power bill doubled ??????????????
when i did it I tourqed all the line and load lugs
so i'm perplexed where the blead off is coming from.
or is she just useing more power
Thankx

Make sure her $/KwH rate hasn't changed... a lot of folks don't know enough to compare current rate to old ones.

Kw /h not changed any other Ideas

Dying heat pump or water heater?

I was once called out on a job like that. HO couldn't figure out why the bill was so high. I Checked all around and while I was in basement, I heard something running. Long story short, her well developed a leak in it. The water kept running from the bottom of the well to the top of the well, while never leaving the well casing and the well motor was running for a few days constantly.
Also ask HO if the bought a new self cleaning oven or refrig. there are heaters on the frig to de-ice them. Another point would be if they have elec. water heater. Did they change the temp of the water? Good Luck.

Another thought, You can check each branch circuit with a clamp on amp meter to see which circuit is drawing the most power. See what is on that circuit.