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Don't Get Shocked by Winter Bills

Article published on Friday, January 29, 2010

Colder than normal temperatures caused a peak power demand record for electric cooperatives in South Carolina. That increased demand will mean higher than normal electric bills for consumers.

"Freezing temperatures make heating systems work harder and operate longer," said Bow Burch with Lynches River Electric Cooperative. "And water flowing into water heaters is colder and, therefore, requires added energy to warm it up and then maintain that warmth."

The electric bills consumers received between Jan. 9 and Jan. 12 covered the period during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, a time when most consumers typically use more electricity.

Bills consumers receivee from mid-January to the first of February covered Christmas and two weeks of frigid temperatures. Daytime highs from Jan. 2 to Jan. 13 were in the 30s and 40s. Lows for the same period dipped into the teens most nights.

Along with the cold weather, the extra hours of darkness tend to keep families inside more, which presents additional opportunities to use electricity. Ultimately, heating and cooling represents about 50 percent of a typical home's energy use.

"We can't do anything about the weather," Burch notes. "But consumers can take steps to make their homes more energy efficient. Some simple steps include adding weather stripping and caulking around windows and doors, replacing heating system air filters monthly and closing outside vents during the winter."

Lynches River Electric Cooperative offers energy efficiency tips and online tools to help members reduce their energy use and save money. Visit the Energy Tips section on this site or call Lynches River at 800-922-3486 to request our free Energy Tips brochure.

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