A Florida resident highlighted an unreasonably high utility bill while expressing frustration over power costs.
Here's what to know
Alex Menendez (@Author.AlexMenendez) displayed his HPS Homestead electric bill in a TikTok video, with ominous music playing in the background.
"Alright HPS, still going down but not great," he declared. "$396.72, do better."
Menendez's caption was similarly direct: "HPS Homestead Electric Bills have been ridiculously high!"
Frustration poured in from other customers who were also facing massively high bills courtesy of the utility.
"My bill was over 500 some corrupt stuff going on in Homestead," one wrote.
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A commenter replied that the bill for their small two-bedroom property was $250. Other complaints piled in from customers in the comments, including a duplex resident who said their bill was $430.
More background
The bill featured different components, with an energy charge of $226.04 representing the highest portion. Sanitation was up next, with a charge approaching $100, while water and taxes made up the remaining balance.
Electricity and the other charges within are essential expenses, and a $396.72 bill can be a serious financial strain for a household. That especially rings true when the resident's own words suggest the total had been even higher before.
Other commenters added their own frustration by saying they were barely using electricity and yet were getting unexplained increases anyway.
What's being done
By publicly singling out HPS and saying "do better," the resident framed the complaint as more than irritation over a single payment.
"4 years paying 190 to 220 but it's been 6 months paying 320 to 350 using the same," a different user commented.
Menendez indicated his situation was similar, and that prompted some calls to action from some commenters.
"If the numbers don't make sense it could open the door for a class action lawsuit," one user suggested.
Where can I learn more?
Florida residents fed up with high power bills may be heartened by how some homeowners have combatted high energy bills.
• After a $700 energy bill, one homeowner added solar with battery storage, and their electric bill is now zero.
• In Florida, an $800 power bill turned into a $300 credit with solar power.
• At Hunters Point in Florida, residents were shocked by the lack of power bills.
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