Electric bill surprises driving me nuts lately

The utility’s usage graph may help separate an HVAC problem from an appliance or meter issue. Compare the daily or hourly data with outdoor temperatures and when the house was occupied. HVAC-related spikes usually track hot or cold weather and show repeated increases during occupied periods. A faulty freezer or water heater may create a steadier baseline, while a meter issue could produce unusual spikes that don’t match either weather or activity.

If the utility offers interval data, export a few weeks and mark thermostat changes, laundry, cooking, and trips away. That pattern can narrow the search before buying monitors or requesting a meter test.