Energy bill higher than usual?
Several factors contribute
A monthly electric service bill that's higher than usual has a good reason—sometimes more than one—behind it.
Possible factors to consider:
Weather
More people
Energy habits
Appliances
Changes in fuel costs
The greatest single factor in your energy bill is heating or cooling. Unusually high or low temperatures—especially with strong winter winds or high summer humidity—always substantially increase energy use. Some ways to reduce the effects of extreme weather:
- Caulk around windows and doors
- Add insulation
- Replace leaky or inefficient windows
- Get your furnace or air conditioner checked by a professional—and replace if necessary
Entertaining weekend guests, staying home with a sick child, or spending holidays or summer vacation with all the kids at home are just a few occasions that will raise your monthly energy bill. More people mean more energy for showers, laundry, dishwashing, clothes drying, cooking, lighting, and operating heating or air-conditioning systems. And the more extra people, the more energy they'll use—and the higher your bill will be.
And contradictory though it may seem, being away from home for a week or two may not reduce your energy bill as much as you could hope. That's because your heating or cooling system still must operate, your freezer still must defrost, and you may well forget (or decide not to) turn off your water heater.
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Your energy habits have a major impact on your energy bill. You can take a number of simple steps to reduce the size of your monthly bill immediately.
- Use only the lighting needed for the task. And turn off lights in rooms that aren't being used.
- Turn off appliances, including computers, when not in use.
- Don't overheat or overcool your home. And set back the thermostat at night or when you're away. You save 3 percent on the day's heating or cooling costs by setting your thermostat 1 degree higher for cooling or 1 degree lower for heating for that 24-hour period. Maintain those settings and you save 3 percent all season!
- Leave windows closed during cool summer nights. Cool night air is loaded with humidity that will make your home uncomfortable. It costs less to allow the air conditioner to maintain your desired temperature than to have it remove that humidity the next day.
- Take showers rather than baths.
- Wash full loads of clothes and dishes.
Today's appliances are much more efficient so replacing an old appliance almost always results in less energy use. However, if your new appliance has more convenience features, options, or a larger capacity, it may use more energy. Of course, adding an appliance, no matter how efficient, always adds to energy costs.
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Each month we calculate the total cost of the fuel and purchased energy we need to provide dependable service to our customers. We then compare that cost with the amount in our base cost of energy, which is part of our rate. If the amount is lower than the amount already included in the base cost of energy, you receive a credit through the cost-of-energy adjustment listed on your bill. If the amount is higher, you'll see a charge.
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Comparisons can't be trusted
Don't be surprised if your energy costs vary considerably from those of a friend or neighbor whose home appears to be similar. Such a comparison is valid only if all other factors-number of people in the home, energy habits, number and types of appliances, type and efficiency of the heating system, and the overall energy efficiency of the home's construction—are identical.
When all else fails
If one or more of these factors can't explain your unusually high bill you may want to conduct a personal online energy audit of your home using Bill Analyzer on this web site.
And please be aware that, in the event that we have issued an incorrect bill, we will honor our Customer Service Guarantee. In addition to correcting it, we'll automatically credit that account ($25 for residential customers and $150 for commercial customers). This does not apply to estimated or prorated bills or to self-read meters.
For additional information or assistance call 800-257-4044.
