If your electric bill seems higher than it used to be, it’s time to investigate.
Check your history. First, verify that the bill truly is higher. Check your MVEC Mobile App or call Magic Valley Electric Cooperative to ask for a review of your bills over the past year. You might be surprised to see how much your usage fluctuates depending on the season.
Check the weather. Fluctuations in outdoor temperatures can lead your family to crank up the air conditioning on especially hot days. Most people use more electricity during the hottest summer months than at any other time of the year. Winter chill can also increase utility bills.
Check what’s plugged in. If you thought your bill would be lower when your family was on vacation, you might be surprised to realize that many appliances still use electricity when the house is empty. Your refrigerator and well pump, for instance, keep running while you’re gone unless you unplugged them. In fact, any appliance plugged into the wall uses electricity, whether anybody is home to use them or not.
Check your equipment. As appliances such as refrigerators and water heaters age, they become less efficient. If your AC or a large appliance is more than 15 years old, consider replacing it with a more energy-efficient model.
Check your lifestyle. If your college-age child is home for the summer, your electric bill will be a bit higher than it was while he or she was away. If your grandkids are enjoying their vacation at your house, your bill could go up. If you’ve added a major appliance, like a pool with a pump, a hot tub or even an oversized TV, that will affect your power bill, too.
Don’t check with the neighbors. No two families use electricity the same way, so if you believe your bill is too high because your neighbor’s is lower, you’re not making an even comparison. The better comparison is between your use of electricity now compared with the same time last year.
Contact your cooperative. If you still think your bill is higher than itshould be, reach out to the energy experts at your co-op.
