Click the blue info dots on the sample bill below to learn more about the items listed on your bill. Can't find the answer you are looking for? Give us a call at 1-800-900-2832 or email us at helpdesk@ctec.coop!
High Bill Concerns
Outside temperatures are often the cause of higher bills. Heating and cooling your home is often the majority of your total energy use. So, it makes sense that during periods of extreme heat or cold, the additional load will cause an increase in electric use.
In the winter, your heating system will run more often and will increase your electric use. Also, the addition of space heaters, electric fireplaces or livestock heaters can dramatically increase your energy consumption.
In the summer, your AC runs more often and will increase your electric use. Also, running dehumidifiers, pool pumps, or that refrigerator in the garage during summer months, will also add to your electric bill.
If you leave your home for an extended period of time or if no one is living at the location, any appliance you leave plugged in or connected will continue to use electricity even while you are gone. Your water heater, freezer, refrigerator, HVAC system, landscape irrigation, well pump, pool pump, etc. keep on running when you're not home. Also, any appliance or electronics that have a standby feature or clock, constantly draw electricity.
Before you leave, make sure to turn off or unplug appliances that aren't needed and adjust your thermostat to help keep heating and cooling costs down.
No two households use energy the same way, so comparing your energy bill to your neighbor's is like comparing gas mileage on different vehicles. It's best to compare your current use to your past use. Factors like insulation quality, amount and type of windows, thermostat settings, age of the residence, age, amount and location of appliances, water heater settings and habits of those living in the home all play a part in electric use.
Often members think meter malfunction is to blame for a higher bill, but this is very rarely the cause. In fact, if a meter is malfunctioning, it's more likely to run slow or quit entirely instead of running fast. The vast majority of meters we test function properly. If you do want your meter tested, you can call us at 1-800-900-2832 or email us at helpdesk@ctec.coop