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Here are some answers to your frequently asked questions about high bills.
Energy consumption
Metering
Energy efficiency
General
Energy consumption
Why is my neighbor’s electric bill lower than mine?
Houses often vary in terms of:
- insulation level and values
- heating and cooling needs
- condition of the home and appliances
- temperature settings of the heat and water heater
Your bill reflects the amount of electricity you use and represents the unique needs of your family.
What is typical usage for my air conditioner and heating equipment?
Cooling and heating a home uses more energy than any other system in the home and is determined by:
- home size
- home structure (condition of ductwork, window caulking, insulation levels, etc.)
- outside temperatures
- thermostat settings
- air conditioning equipment used
On average 45 percent of a summer bill goes for cooling the home.
Regardless of the type of cooling system you are using, you can save money and increase your comfort level by:
It is not uncommon for a home with a central air conditioning to have summer bills with usage that is three or four times
greater than other times in the year. In winter, baseboard heaters can also add significantly to your bill.
What power users might be causing my bill to be so high?
There are a number of high bill culprits that can be causing your usage to be higher than usual:
- plasma TVs
- pumps for irrigation
- swimming pools and hot tubs
- specialty equipment such as a pottery kiln
- medical equipment
Metering
I think that my meter was misread, what should I do?
First determine if there has been a change in your usage, which caused the change in your bill. Has the heating or cooling
season begun? Have you had visitors? Is there something wrong with your equipment? All of these can affect your electric
bill.
If you still think that there has been a problem with your meter read, you can try to read your meter and compare it to your
bill. Read your meter.
How likely is it that the issue with my bill is related to a faulty meter? What if my bill is much lower than usual?
It is very unlikely that the problem that you are experiencing is a problem with your meter. The chance of a five-dial meter
failing is less than one percent, and it is more likely to slow down than to speed up. Most new meters are digital, further
increasing accuracy. Meters can sometimes stop, however. If you know that you are using power and your statement shows no
kilowatt hour usage for the period, your meter may be stopped. Please call us at 1-888-221-7070. Remember that unbilled usage
will not go away. If your meter is stopped, we may estimate past months’ billing. To ensure accurate billing, please let us
know as soon as you are aware that you have a stopped meter.
Energy Efficiency
Is it better to close the vents and doors of rooms that aren’t in use?
- In general, it is less expensive to heat a small area than a large one. In order to save heating costs with an electric furnace,
doors to individual rooms and vents within these rooms can be closed.
- Heat pumps rely on air flow throughout the system so doors and ducts should remain open. In fact, heat pump warranties may
become void if the system becomes inoperable due to reduced air flow in the home.
Is it worthwhile to continually turn on and off lights for brief periods of time when entering/leaving a room or is it better
just to leave them on?
- With incandescent light bulbs, it is a good idea to turn them off anytime they are not needed.
- With compact fluorescent bulbs, it is best to use them in light fixtures that are used most frequently.
Save money on lighting by:
- replacing incandescent lighting with compact fluorescent bulbs. Compact fluorescents use 20 percent of the electricity of
an incandescent bulb and last 10 times longer.
Can I save money on purchasing new appliances or buying other energy efficiency products?
You may be eligible for savings depending on your state:
Other resources
Do you have printed materials available for me to read on energy efficiency?
Our Bright Ideas booklet is filled with helpful tips and recommendations for saving energy. Also our Watt’s Up Brochure contains
some good pointers for understanding why your bill may have changed. Order energy efficiency information
.
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