Winter Weather Can Increase Energy Use

Summer isn't the only time for higher bills

While there is a slight change to the service availability charge on your bill this month, you might also notice higher energy use depending on the winter temperatures and your holiday habits.

Holiday decorations, dinners and guests can affect how much you pay for electricity. Increased cooking for the holidays and having children home over school breaks might make your January bill for December use higher than the prior month’s bill. 

One of the most significant factors in your winter energy bill is your heater's thermostat settings. According to the U.S. Department of Energy website, the smaller the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall heating bill. You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to around 68 degrees while you're awake and setting it lower while you're asleep or away from home. If you turn the temperature down for more than 8 hours at a time, you can save up to 1% on your energy bill per degree you turn the thermostat down.

For more resources on ways to save or find assistance for your utility bills, visit https://www.tcec.coop/save.