By GEORGE ROBERTSON, M.D. 

After my column on the large electric bill for last month, I was visited by a nice man from the electric company. Dave Smith Jr. was concerned that the public might think that a doctor was having to borrow money to pay his electric bill and wanted to check my meter to be sure the charges were accurate. He had copies of my charges for the past year and was quick to show me a savings of $382 for the same period (two months) from a year ago when it wasn’t as cold as this year.

By GEORGE ROBERTSON, M.D. 

After my column on the large electric bill for last month, I was visited by a nice man from the electric company. Dave Smith Jr. was concerned that the public might think that a doctor was having to borrow money to pay his electric bill and wanted to check my meter to be sure the charges were accurate. He had copies of my charges for the past year and was quick to show me a savings of $382 for the same period (two months) from a year ago when it wasn’t as cold as this year.

So it turns out the new heat pump is performing as promised and the electric company wants to know and the public to know that they are trying to keep electricity affordable. Dave also has a similar sized home with good insulation and keeps his thermostat down when he is not at home and at a comfortable 70 degrees when he is home.

It seems my plight boils down to about three problems. I have poor circulation which makes me feel colder than I used to. I also have a poor memory and didn’t go to the trouble to check the electric bill from last year so it might help to have all the facts in hand before complaining about anything. The third problem is not being savvy enough to properly program the new thermostat.

When all is said and done, I’ll have to congratulate Middle Tennessee Electric on their service and concern for their customers. David didn’t have any comment about global warming and when we can expect it. Now I’m wondering when the sanitation department will visit Possum Town to check on Miss Eula Mae’s compliance issues.

Editor’s Note: George Robertson is a physician with Family Medical Associates, PC, in Lebanon.