 We understand that unexpected high bills cause our customers a great deal of concern. If you’ve had a high bill and wish to avoid future unanticipated high bills, please consider the following:
Weather affects electricity usage
There exists a direct correlation between weather and energy consumption.
If your thermostat is set on 72 degrees when the low was 68 degrees, the heater only has to raise the air temperature 4 degrees. But if it is set at 72 degrees and it is 32 degrees outside, the heater has to raise the air temperature 40 degrees. So, even if the thermostat setting doesn’t change, there is the potential for a radically higher usage of electricity. JEA recommends 68 degrees during winter months.
Meter Reading
Sometimes, customers believe their meter reading is not accurate. JEA reads the electric and the majority of water meters through an advanced metering system. The accuracy for JEA’s meter reading is more than 99.9% on a monthly basis, which is more accurate than the average utility. Meter errors account for only .044 % of high bills. With this technology, JEA can conduct daily electric reads to validate consumption.
Rates
Are higher rates to blame for high bills? While rate increases do affect the bill, they alone generally are not enough to cause a high spike, and would not cause a spike for just one month. It is an increase in the amount of electricity used to stay comfortable during very cold or hot months that causes a spike.
Energy Efficiency
The efficiency of a home has a direct impact on electric bills. Mobile homes, older houses, especially those with little or no insulation and that are off-grade will cause the HVAC system to have to work harder and longer to keep the house comfortable, causing higher utility bills.
What can you do to find out if your home is as energy-efficient as possible? Take our online energy audit by clicking here. Or watch our energy audit video by clicking here.
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