A harsh winter is driving energy usage up for West Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative members. Higher usage means members will see higher bills in the weeks ahead.
The Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives reports that electric cooperatives across Kentucky are seeing double-digit increases in energy use compared to this same period one year ago.
“In the winter, we all have to heat our homes and we’re indoors more, which means we use our lights, TVs, gaming systems, and other appliances for longer periods,” said David Smart, WKRECC President and CEO. “But this year the cold weather is the biggest factor driving higher energy bills. Since Christmas, average temperatures have been 17 degrees colder than during the same period last year. We’ve also had about a foot of snow and brutal wind chills across the region.”
Weather, especially cold weather, affects residential energy bills more than anything else. Put simply, the colder it is, the harder your heating system works to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature and the more energy it consumes.
WKRECC’s January bills reflect, on average, a 30 to 40 percent increase in usage over the same period last year.
“However, some accounts have increased by as much as 60 percent,” said WKRECC Engineer Ricky Binkley. “Factors like the kind of heat you have, the efficiency of your home, and the number of people that live there will determine how much your usage goes up, but everyone should prepare for higher bills for at least the next two months because of the cold weather.”
These are things you can do to help mitigate your increased energy usage as the temperature drops.
Start with your HVAC unit. If you have electric heat, that probably accounts for the largest portion of your bill.
You can save on the heating portion of your electric bill by lowering your thermostat, turning it down even more at night and when you are away from home. Change the air return filter regularly and make sure your vents and air return(s) are not blocked. Keep in mind that baseboard heaters and electric furnaces are large energy users when it’s very cold and your usually-efficient electric heat pump will use much more energy when temperatures fall below 35 degrees.
Electric water heaters. The heating elements in your electric water heater use energy to keep the water at a set temperature. To conserve energy during the winter, turn the water heater thermostat to 120 degrees. You can also insulate the tank, which helps reduce heat loss. This is especially important if your water heater is in the garage or other unheated space. Washing clothes in cold water also saves on water heating costs.
Electric space heaters. Space heaters use a lot of electricity. A 1500-watt heater can cost $100 per month to operate if used continuously. Limit your use of using space heaters as much as possible.
Keep cold air out. Make sure your doors and windows are closed tightly. Seal off unused fireplaces. Consider covering your windows with inexpensive shrink-to-fit plastic, available at any home improvement store. Close blinds and curtains any time the sun isn’t shining and cover drafty windows with a blanket at night. Roll up a towel and place it along the threshold of your outside doors. Keep your garage door closed, too.
“Tracking your energy usage can also help you lower it. You can monitor your usage with our online tool, MY POWER, available at wkrecc.com. The website also has more information about ways to save energy,” said Smart. “Even small reductions add up. Yes, power usage will always be higher in cold weather, but you can still find ways to save.”