With winter approaching and National Grid estimating 1.2 million customers in parts of Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island will pay an average of $87 more in energy bills this year, keeping apartments warm will already strain household budgets. But for one New York City renter, the culprit behind her soaring costs was a billing mix-up by Con Edison.
Here’s how the decade-long error happened, and how NYC renters can verify they’re only paying for their own power.
A Queens woman unknowingly paid her neighbor’s electric bill for a decade
Nicole Niceforo told Fox 5 NY that she spent years carefully limiting her electricity usage because her bills seemed unusually high. She resorted to washing dishes by hand and severely restricting her AC to keep costs manageable.
Despite her conservation efforts, the bills kept climbing. But as it turns out, the problem wasn’t her energy usage at all. She had been paying for her upstairs neighbor’s electricity for 10 years.
The bizarre billing mix-up came to light after Con Edison mistakenly switched the accounts associated with the two apartments, leaving the woman footing the bill for someone else’s power.
More than an urban legend
While a decade-long billing error might sound like a one-in-a-million fluke, crossed meters are a documented issue.
Nearly 200 complaints involving Con Edison smart-meter installation mix-ups were filed with New York State regulators between 2022 and 2024.
In a separate case, another homeowner reportedly overpaid roughly $11,000 over seven years after their meter was incorrectly linked to a neighbor’s account.
How to make sure you’re paying for your own electricity in NYC
Before you start side-eyeing your upstairs neighbor, there’s a relatively simple precaution NYC renters can take: make sure the meter associated with your Con Edison account actually belongs to your apartment.
If your electricity bill seems unusually high or doesn’t line up with your household’s actual usage, it’s worth investigating before years of charges add up. Especially since billing adjustments are limited to six years.
Here are a few steps to consider:
- Check your meter number: Compare the meter number listed on your Con Edison bill with the number on the physical meter assigned to your apartment. If they don’t match, contact the utility
- Request a meter investigation: If you suspect a crossed meter or faulty reading, contact Con Edison to request a formal investigation or meter test
- Keep records of everything: Save copies of all electricity bills, emails, inspection requests, and correspondence with Con Edison and your building management
- Follow up in writing: If you report a potential billing issue, keep a written log of your request and any responses
You can contact Con Edison through its official website or customer service channels to report a suspected billing issue.
More Ways to Save: New Yorkers can save up to $135 a month on Con Edison bills this winter through state assistance programs. Check your eligibility and apply online in under five minutes.
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