World · North America · 1 hr ago
New York Woman Reimbursed After Paying Neighbor’s Electricity Bill for Years
New York resident Nicole Niceforo discovered she had been paying her neighbor’s electricity bill for about a decade because the meters were wired to the wrong apartments.
Her Con Edison bills rose sharply around 2016, and she asked for the meter to be checked that year.
She tried to cut costs by limiting air conditioning and unplugging appliances, but was told the higher bills were linked to summer temperatures and other factors.
A later test led her building manager to find the wiring mix-up, which Con Edison acknowledged.
The company reimbursed her $6,000, but said it could only cover the last six years under its policy.
A month billed at just under $180 would have cost her about $41 based on her actual use.
Con Edison corrected the wiring and issued revised bills; the company says meter equipment is generally the building owner’s responsibility.
A New York woman was reimbursed $6,000 after discovering she had been paying her neighbor’s electricity bill for years.
Nicole Niceforo’s meter was wired to a different apartment, leading her to receive incorrect bills.
She said she repeatedly contacted Con Edison and conserved energy, including limiting her use of air conditioning.
Con Edison corrected her bills and reimbursed her for the last six years, citing company policy.
- Who
- Nicole Niceforo, a New York resident, and Con Edison.
- What
- Niceforo discovered that her meter was wired to a different apartment and that she had paid her neighbor’s electricity bills. Con Edison reimbursed her $6,000.
- When
- She first requested a meter inspection in September 2016. The wiring problem was discovered about nine years later.
- Where
- In Niceforo’s New York apartment building.
- Why
- The meter was wired to a different apartment, so the electricity use reflected on her bills was incorrect.
Nicole Niceforo
Con Edison
Initial explanation for high bills
Nicole Niceforo
Niceforo suspected something was wrong and repeatedly raised the issue.
Con Edison
Niceforo said she was told the rising costs were due to summer temperatures and other external factors.
Reimbursement
Nicole Niceforo
Niceforo was reimbursed for six years, though the billing problem had lasted longer.
Con Edison
Con Edison said it could reimburse her only for the last six years under company policy.
Niceforo requested that a technician inspect her Con Edison meter.
A building manager found that Niceforo’s meter was wired to a different apartment.
Con Edison acknowledged the problem, corrected her bills and reimbursed her $6,000 for the last six years.
- Reimbursement
- $6,000
- Reimbursement period
- Last six years
- First meter inspection request
- September 2016
- Incorrect wiring
- Niceforo’s meter was connected to a different apartment
- Example bill difference
- Just under $180 charged; actual bill was $41
What people are saying
I spent a lot of time and energy repeatedly calling them… It's frustration beyond belief,
Con Edison values its customers and works with them if they believe their energy use is not correctly reflected on their bill.