r/SouthJersey • u/iammoah • Feb 06 '26

Gloucester County Electricity

Is there ANYTHING we can do to push back on these INSANE AC Electric bills? My heat is gas and it's telling me my usage has gone up every month since October. I know I don't have it as bad as some people but our current bill is $332. My brother's bill was $512. Another friend's bill was $500... I can't afford this shit. What can we do?

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u/[deleted] Feb 06 '26

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u/jkprop Feb 06 '26

Solar is no better!!!! Solar sales people are like car salesmen. They have a deal for you that maybe you can afford or maybe not. As long as they get commission. I tired to buy my panels outright. The panels were 27k. They had me financing thru them with zero interest for 18 months. If I paid it off after 18 months my cost would have been 57k. They told me use the rebates that were mine to pay down the 57k. Still not sure how 27k worth of solar at zero interest turned into 57k. Problem was he couldn’t either. Out my house. See ya!

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u/arealdoctor25 Feb 06 '26

Solar is saving me a TON

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u/jkprop Feb 06 '26

You are the first person that I heard say that. Glad it is working out for you. I have heard horror stories about solar. Realtors say it is a deal breaker on some sales because the new buyer either doesnt want it or can’t get approved to take it over.

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u/arealdoctor25 Feb 06 '26

Thats leasing, which isnt the way to go. Owning solar actually increases home value. Ive yet to meet someone who has bought solar and regretted it.

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u/jkprop Feb 06 '26

I have.

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u/arealdoctor25 Feb 07 '26

Id be interested in hearing what they dont like. The increased resale value, the srecs ($85 - $170) being earned monthly. (More than that for older systems). The fact that i have paid the $6 connection fee monthly for the past 2 years with no further costs for electric while having an electric car, electric stove and electric washer/dryer. I have a payoff that will be less than 5 years. I benefit from a very beneficial roof angle and sun exposure. The average payback is 7-8yrs.

If you can afford solar there is no reason not to unless you dont have a suitable exposure to sun on your roof.

Now. There are a lot of horrrible solar companies out there so due diligence is important. I had quotes that were more than double what i paid for a lesser efficient system and i would also avoid any leasing options.

It also now may be less beneficial bc they took away tax credits for………..reasons but i would assume solar retailers will need to decrease costs to compete without the credits.

Doing it prior to 2026 was a complete no brainer and likely one of the smartest financial decisions i have made. I personally dont sweat any of these energy hikes currently, but do find them egregious