A utility pricing practice has many consumers reeling from unexpected surges in their bills. NY1's Susan Jhun filed this report.

A sudden spike in his electricity bill left Con Edison customer Bruno Logreco confused. “It was $440. Our average bill at this time of year is probably about $150, so it's probably two and a half, three times the value of our usual bill,” Logreco says.

Logreco says he called Con Ed assuming the bill for March must be a mistake, especially since the billing period was for 63 days instead of the usual 30.

“They said there was absolutely nothing we could do, that was the statement and that's what we owe and that's what we have to pay,” says Logreco.

After Logreco called us, we contacted Con Ed and a spokesman told us his bill for March was indeed correct. The spokesman said, some meter readings, including Logreco's, didn't take place this past winter due to severe weather. He went on to say, when this happens, Con Ed bills for estimated usage and makes adjustments later on. As a result, he said the elevated amount of Logreco's March bill was due to a combination of the low system-generated readings and his higher usage from December to March.

It’s an explanation that Logreco says leaves him questioning the confusing and unpredictable billing practice.  We found that sentiment to be common among many Con Ed customers. ConsumerAffairs.com, a consumer advocacy organization, posted hundreds of complaints about Con Ed, many of them similar to Logreco's.

We contacted The New York State Public Service Commission which regulates utilities and a spokesman said Con Ed's practice of estimated readings was legitimate.

When we questioned whether Con Ed  notified customers of this practice, the spokesman said customer's bills state whether the readings are actual or estimated each month. Additionally, he said Con Ed's website has information explaining estimated readings and how to avoid spikes in their bills.

Still customers like Logreco say they feel it's an unfair practice.