<prompt> Human: UPDATE: After a phone call, citing the PA state code, and explaining my current usage Vs their previous usage - they have agreed to cut the deposit in half, to 480 total. 240 first month, 120 second, 120 third. I can also call back after a few more bills and have it reduced again, reflecting usage. Hi! - Here is a picture of the bill in question.So I just recently moved. I set up service at my new rental property standalone house and they notified me that I would be required to put a security deposit down. They determine the amount of the security deposit to be double the last bill they have on record which was from march of 2014. One of the coldest months. The bill they have was for 480, so they double it...960 security deposit.They agreed to not take any deposit to start service and to put it on the first two bills that I receive. This is not credit based - the sole reason for the security deposit was the previous renters bills. I had two people checked, and the letters they sent determined it to be NOT based on credit.They gave me three ways I could deal with the deposit:1 Have a current electric customer in the area vouch for me, which would require no deposit and I suppose they act as a cosigner?. I didnt look into it as Im new to the area. 2 Take out a bank loan through their partner to handle the deposit. Im not going to take out a loan for something I can pay just think is entirely unneeded.3 Pay for it, clearly. The person signing me up on the phone suggested I call back in 3-6 months to have the adjusters look at it based on usage. Here is the breakdown of the bill:238 KWH 0.107868KWH 25.67 - 16 daysWe can multiply this to get a good estimate at my monthly:446 KWH 0.107868KWH 48.11 - 30 daysFlat monthly fee: 5.61 There was a 12.50 service charge to start serviceESTIMATED 30 DAY BILL: 51.72 48.11 usage, 5.61 flatSince they are basing this off of a 480 bill, I would have to use:4,397 KWH 0.107868KWH 474.39 5.61 480Or just about ten times my current usage.So, any suggestions as to how to handle this? While I can throw down 1,000 for my electric bill - it seems absurd to do so. Thanks!Assistant: Wow, that is fucking ridiculous. Makes my 250 deposit look small by comparison. Wish I had some advice for you. In my case, they automatically took the deposit and applied it to my power bill after 1 year, so I essentially ended up pre-paying several months of power bills. The deposit also earned 8 interest while they had it, so that was an upside.Human: In my case, they automatically took the deposit and applied it to my power bill after 1 year, so I essentially ended up pre-paying several months of power bills. The deposit also earned 8 interest while they had it, so that was an upside.They would likely do the same, though at current rates this would prepay almost a year and a half. :And 8 interest? Where in the world is your power company banking with? My old 100 deposit ended up getting about .5!  <response>: If my utility company would give me 8 interest I would happily give a 5000 deposit. Prepay for my electricity for the next 5 years. 