There are a few key factors that affect electricity prices, and while most of those are out of our hands and yours, there are a few ways you can make a meaningful impact on home energy savings.
When you receive your bill from Big Country Electric Cooperative, you’ll see a summary of how much electricity you used during the billing cycle. You can even see when your electricity use may have spiked, such as a particularly cold or hot day.
But you might be surprised to learn that beyond your monthly energy consumption, there are external factors that can impact the cost of electricity.
Fuel Prices
Big Country EC purchases electricity from our power generation partner at a wholesale cost, then we deliver that power to our local communities.
That wholesale cost accounts for a significant portion of the cost of providing electricity to homes and businesses—and the cost of fuels used to generate that power fluctuate based on supply and demand.
While these fluctuations impact the cost of electricity, we work closely with our wholesale power provider to plan ahead and help stabilize electricity prices for our members.
Extreme Weather
While we can’t control the weather, we can review weather patterns and forecasts to prepare for times of extreme cold or heat, when we know the demand for electricity will increase. When temperatures fluctuate and the demand for electricity spikes, the price of power typically goes up.
Infrastructure and Equipment
To cover the costs associated with providing electricity, Big Country EC members pay a monthly charge. This flat fee ensures the costs of equipment, materials, labor and daily operations are covered for all members in our service territory, no matter how many kilowatts you use.
To ensure the reliable service you expect and deserve, we must maintain a complex grid of power lines, substations and other essential equipment.
You Have Control
While many of these external factors are out of our control, we all have the power to manage our energy use at home. The most effective way to lower use is thermostat management.
Since heating and cooling account for a major portion of home energy use, adjusting the thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting for heating and highest for cooling can help you save energy and money. Remember to have your heating and cooling system checked annually and replace dirty filters as needed.
You also can help reduce your co-op’s energy use by taking advantage of off-peak periods, when the demand for electricity is lower. Reserve energy-intensive chores for off-peak times—typically 8 a.m. to 7 a.m.
Be sure to seal air leaks around windows, doors and other areas where gaps are possible. This will help your heating and cooling system work less and improve the overall comfort of your home.
Big Country EC is your local energy partner, and we’re here to help. As always, we will continue working diligently to provide you with reliable power at an affordable cost.
