Accurate History: |
Review how much power you've used for the last 13 months. This is your kilowatt hour (kWh) history. This information is provided for you on every bill. You can compare your most recent month to the same month one year ago. Weather fluctuations may be a factor in any major differences. The kilowatt hours you use are the main driver of costs on your electric bill. |
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True Electric Bill: |
Check to be sure this is a true high electric bill. Are there other charges beyond electrical service? Any additional service fees (deposits, connection/disconnection fees or returned check fees)?
• Have any past-due amounts from a previous bill been added to the total?
• Are there ancillary charges added to the bill for other WFEC products or services (appliances, surge protection, security lights, etc.)?
• Don't forget about state, local & franchise taxes.
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Days of Use:
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Check the number of days that are billed for your ele ctric use. This varies from bill to bill due to the number of days in a month and a billing cycle may be shorter or longer so as not to make your bill due on a weekend or holiday.
Is the number of days greater than other months in question because of meter readings or meter reading cycles? Is the daily average significantly different from other months in question? |
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Compare Winter to Summer: |
Check the kilowatt hour total by month. From the history, are the winter months higher, indicating some form of electric heat, higher hot water heater use or heaters being used on water beds? Do the summer months indicate air conditioning? Were temperatures higher or lower than normal during the period? WFEC offers a levelized billing program to help member-owners with seasonal fluctuations. |
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Your Electric Meter Doesn't Go on Vacation: |
If you leave your home for an extended period of time for business or vacation, any appliance you leave plugged in or connected will continue to use electricity even while you are gone, especially your hot water heater, freezer, refrigerator, HVAC system, landscape irrigation, well pump, etc. Most of us note that the TV and lights were not on, but we forget about other items.
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Lifestyle: |
No two households use energy the same way, so comparing yo ur energy bill to your neighbor's is like comparing apples to oranges. It is best to compare your current use with your past use.
• Determine if the size of your household has increased or did someone stay at home more.
• Have you added a new swimming pool or hot tub?
• Have you had guests stay for an extended period of time?
• Do you have hobbies that include the use of power tools, ovens and other high electrical resistance tools or appliances?
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Lighting, Refrigeration, Cooking & Appliances: |
• Lighting, refrigeration, cooking & appliances account for 56 percent of the total energy use in the normal household. The local of refrigerators and freezers is very important.
• Never place a refrigerator or freezer in direct sunlight or in unconditioned space such as a breezeway, garage or out-building, The refrigerator or freezer will have to work harder to overcome excessive heat in the warmer months.
• Make sure that your refrigerators and freezers have adequate ventilation.
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Equipment Maintenance: |
If an appliance is more than 15 years old, the efficiency of that  appliance may be decreasing significantly and requiring more energy to do its job. It is important to clean or replace the condenser, coils or filters on some appliances regularly. You may need to replace the appliance itself. Many times old electrical wiring will have loose connections resulting in increased electrical use and create potential safety hazards. |
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Seasons: |
The additional hearing or cooling load will cause an increase in  electric use. Heating & cooling your home averages around 44 percent of your total energy use. Using space heaters, fireplaces, livestock heaters or vehicle block heaters in the winter can dramatically increase your energy consumption. Running a dehumidifier or watering of lawns, gardens and animals in the summer months will increase your energy use. |
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Weather: |
Lighting can sometimes damage your well pump, sump pump or appliances increasing the running of these devices. If underground wiring-insulation is damaged, an increase in electrical use may occur when the ground is saturated with moisture.
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Construction or Remodeling Activities: |
Has there been any underground excavation recently? If you have underground wiring, the electrical wires may have been nicked resulting in a direct short. Many times room additions are completed without proper sizing of HVAC for additional heating & cooling loads. |
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Home Energy Audits: |
If after studying all the above information, you still feel there may be a deeper problem, we are happy to take your call and assist you. After handling your questions on the phone, we determine if a field visit is needed to determine energy efficiency problems or check the meter. WFEC's Member Services department can offer more efficiency solutions. |
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When Should My Meter Be Tested? |
WFEC encourages members to look for the cause in the above situations first. Meter tests should be a last resort instead of first. Meters measure energy use and because they are a mechanical device it is rare that they run fast. They are seldom the cause of a higher bill, but often blamed. Less than 2 out of 1,000 meters are going to be wrong when tested. This includes running slow or fast. Most faulty meters would likely run slow.
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