Energy Bills: You Have the Power
February brings some of the coldest weather of the year, and we typically see higher energy bills as our home heating systems work harder and longer to keep us warm.
However, there are steps you can take to make a meaningful impact on your home’s energy savings.
When you receive your monthly bill from Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative (MWEC), you’re provided with a summary of how much electricity you used during the billing cycle. The bill also includes a monthly usage chart for energy usage comparison over the past 12 months (see chart).
This helps to identify how electricity may have spiked on months when you used more electricity such as a particularly chilly.
As a member, you can also track your electrical usage on a daily or even hourly basis through SmartHub. This tool features usage monitoring, alerts and notifications that keep you informed and show you where you could save money on your electric bill.
With these tools at our fingertips, there is good news as we endure the cold winter months. You have the power to make a meaningful impact on your home’s energy savings by following three steps.
Thermostat management
The most effective way to lower use is thermostat management. Our team is often asked, “Why is our electric bill higher than usual if I didn’t change the temperature on my thermostat?” And when the weather is extremely cold or hot, the answer is often simple.
Your furnace is using more electricity to maintain the temperature set on your thermostat. Higher electricity usage results in higher bills. Since heating and cooling account for a major portion of home energy use, adjusting the thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting can help you save energy and money.
Seal your home
According to ENERGY STAR, about 20% of heated or cooled air that moves through a home is lost due to lack of proper insulation and air leaks. Ensure your home has sufficient insulation levels and seal air leaks around windows and doors with caulk and weatherstripping. This is a simple, effective way to lower energy use and improve indoor comfort.
Maintain equipment
The health of your heating and cooling system is essential for comfort and can greatly impact energy bills. Maintain your system by regularly replacing dirty filters and scheduling annual inspections for maintenance and necessary repairs.
As the winter temperatures continue to drop, these small adjustments can help you keep your electric bill in check. If you have questions while reviewing your usage or notice a bill is higher than you expected, call 800-279-2667. Our MWEC energy experts are ready to assist you.