Air conditioners and ceiling fans give way to electric blankets, space heaters, and a greater need for hot water. Trends also indicate that more electricity is consumed as people spend more time indoors during the winter than during the summer. Have a deep look into why electricity is high in winter and summer.
Why Is Electricity High In Winter And Summer?
We frequently discover that our behaviors shift as we formally adjust to the shorter, chillier days. We watch movies and make the soup more often indoors and at home. People enter hibernation mode on their own. And that’s wonderful! It’s healthy to take some time to relax, get comfy, and recover after the summer season because that’s how things naturally progress.
However, you should be aware that there’s a considerable probability your electricity cost will increase throughout the winter. It’s wise to plan and do what you can to decrease your usage and prices because, as electricians, customers frequently express surprise at this sudden increase in their bills.
This article will examine why your electricity bill increases throughout the winter and what you can do to prevent rising expenditures. Why, then, does my electricity bill increase throughout the winter? Electricity costs increase in the winter for a few main reasons, particularly in a city like Vancouver.
Reasons Why Wintertime Electricity Bills Are Higher
Days Are Becoming Shorter
Shorter days can be expected as we approach the winter solstice in December. So, what shall we do? Since there is less daylight to work with, we turn on our inside lights sooner and leave them on for longer.
It’s Colder Outside
Naturally, this requires us to turn on the heat, plug in energy-guzzling space heaters, boil more water for tea, leave the oven on to bake warm items, and leave the stove on longer to cook soup. We take longer, hotter showers and take more baths. Essentially, anything we can do to stay warm during winter raises energy costs.
Need More Entertainment
We naturally spend more time indoors due to the shorter and colder days, and we don’t just sit around watching the paint peel off the walls, do we? Most likely, we’ll switch on the TV or computer, keep opening the refrigerator to obtain snacks, listen to music more frequently, and eventually get around to thorough cleaning, which entails using the vacuum and running the washer and dryer.
The Simultaneous Use Of Electricity By More People
There are others besides us. In Vancouver, winter affects everyone equally; it is the great equalizer. And the cost might increase as more people use more electricity at once. In the winter, when demand for electricity rises, generators must produce more power to meet the demand. In Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, electricity costs are generally consistent. However, they can change if there is a sudden surge in demand (caused, for example, by a protracted cold wave).
How Can I Reduce My Winter Electric Bills?
We are certainly at the whim of Mother Nature’s whims regarding things like temperature, weather, and season changes. However, we have some influence over our behavior, and there are many things we can do to reduce both our electricity use and prices.
Cover Up
Look at what you’re wearing. Rather than turning up the heat of the moment, it starts to get chilly. You won’t need to heat the entire house if you remove the warm blankets and keep them there throughout the season; layer on another sweater, add a pair of warm socks, and wear slippers and a pair of warm socks.
Lights Out
Watching our behaviors in this area is one of the simplest things we can do to help reduce our usage and expenditures. Improper lighting use can lead to increased electricity bills. Make sure all of your bulbs are high efficiency, and if your holiday lights are already up, think about adding timers.
Make it a practice to turn off the lights in empty rooms and adjust the illumination in the evening. Instead, consider setting some candles alight and keeping a lamp on to enjoy the complete light show.
Close It Up
Having untreated gaps around windows, chimneys, and door frames is one of the sneakiest ways the cold enters and the heat leaves our houses. The need to increase the heat will be diminished if you take the time to close up any areas that seem drafty to the touch.
Don’t Overload
It is that easy. We may save money on energy by practicing wise consumer behavior in our daily activities. We can:
- Purchase energy-saving appliances, and replace your windows. To save more money, keep an eye out for government rebates.
- When not in use, connect our electronics to a power strip and switch the power off.
- Consider whether we need that space heater or that second, outdated, energy-guzzling refrigerator to keep the beer cool.
- Place our thermostat on a timer, and allow the home to remain calm during the day, night, and while we are away.
Naturally, it depends on your particular circumstances, but there are things we can all do to limit our user base and expenses. The notoriously harsh Vancouver winters will undoubtedly cause our electrical costs to increase, but there are ways to get by without going bankrupt. Call BPM if you’d like to talk to a professional electrician about your bill or ways to reduce your expenses. We are always pleased to assist.
Check Your Bill
Examine the electrical bills you received at this time last year. Is your kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption compared to what you already use? Find out the typical summer power bill for residences in your neighborhood if you did not dwell in your present residence last year.
Remember that the amount of electricity each home uses will vary depending on its size, energy efficiency, and the type of weather it typically experiences at this time of year. You can try checking to see if your bill matches your meter reading if your usage seems unusually high compared to the previous year.
Check your meter for your kWh usage and locate the most recent meter reading on your account. Your meter should show a somewhat higher reading than the one that appears on your bill right now. Your charge can be incorrect if your meter is reading lower. To have your usage reviewed, contact your electrical provider.
Rising Costs For Electricity
Summertime in many places results in increased energy demand, which raises market prices. Your energy rate can go up this season if you have a variable-rate plan. If you’ve changed or renewed your power plan during the past year, you can experience higher electric costs even on a fixed-rate plan.
Use Of Energy Has Increased
In the summer, we often use more electricity. The more we use gadgets and other equipment when it’s hot outside, the more complex our air conditioners work to keep our houses at the temperatures we enjoy. This summer, you might be using more energy for the following reasons:
- Children have returned from school. The kids are always looking for entertainment with computers, Television, and other technologies now that school is out for the summer. The entire family will probably be indoors during the hottest part of the day, seeking relief from the heat with the help of lights, electronics, and air conditioning.
- High temperatures. The hottest months are often July and August. The more significant the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the harder your air conditioner will have to work to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
- Your pool is frequently used. In the summer, pools are a terrific place to cool off and have fun, but your electric pool pump can be very energy-intensive. Running your pool pump continuously for the entire month can increase your energy cost by $80-$90.
How Can I Improve The Energy Effectiveness Of My House During The Summer?
The consequences of summer on our energy bills may be recognizable to those who have endured periods of high heat. Fortunately, there are easy actions you can do this summer to reduce your electricity expenditure.
- Increase the thermostat. You can potentially save 10% a year on heating and cooling bills by turning down the thermostat by seven to ten degrees for eight hours a day. We advise keeping your home’s thermostat set at roughly 78 degrees in the summer and as high as bearable when you are away or sleeping. See how far you can raise the temperature in your home without feeling uncomfortable by experimenting with your family.
- Examine your filters to maintain adequate airflow and keep your HVAC system operating effectively; clean or replace your air filters regularly. Visit our guide on selecting the ideal home air filter.
- Keep the area around your air vents clear. Verify that no furniture or other objects are blocking your vents. Clearing the area around vents will improve excellent air circulation.
- Receive an AC tune-up. To get the most out of your cooling system, call a professional to ensure your cooling system is in good shape and operating as effectively as possible.
- Use window units’ energy-saving features. Although many window units are ENERGY STAR-rated and feature energy-saving modes, few people use them and leave the fan constantly going, even when the air conditioning component is off. Nothing but a continual energy drain results from this. Cut the electric cost by a few cents using the energy-saving settings or setting the fan to automatic.
- Make your home well-lit. Switch to LED light bulbs. This bulb uses 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs yet lasts 25 times longer. Additionally, they produce less heat, so your AC will work less. When leaving a room, don’t forget to turn off the lights.
- Create an energy-efficient attic. Attics can get hotter than 100 degrees, which makes it harder for a central air conditioner to cool a house and raises electricity costs. If necessary, improve the insulation in your attic and add an attic fan to give your central air conditioner a break.
- Your doors and windows with caulk. Don’t let drafts in your doors or windows cause cool air to exit and hot air to enter. Put a dollar between the seal and the door or window and close it to test your seals. It’s time to replace the seal if you can easily remove the dollar. Re-caulk the drafty areas or install weather stripping.
- Doing laundry will save you energy. Wash and dry full loads in cold water to cut expenditures in your laundry room. Dry your stuff on a hanger if you can. Your garments will last longer and use less energy as a result.
- Set the temperature of your water heater. Most water heaters should be set to a temperature of 120F. Using the suggested option, you can conserve energy and avoid security risks.
- Disconnect any useless electronics. An average family spends $100 a year on energy due to standby power. Use surge protectors to turn off quickly and stop these items from using standby power.
- Check the efficiency of your refrigerator. You can be spending more money if your refrigerator is excessively cold. The suggested temperature settings can be found by contacting the manufacturer. Using the dollar as mentioned above test, make sure your refrigerator isn’t leaking any chilly air.
- Maintain a full refrigerator. Air is more challenging to chill than solids and liquids. To allow for air circulation, make sure not to overfill it.
- Dress in breathable materials. Reduce your need for AC by dressing comfortably for the weather.
- Shut the drapes. If your home faces the west or the south, close the draperies to keep the extra heat out. Dark and thick drapes offer extra protection from the sun’s heat.
- For shade, plant shrubs and trees. This is a long-term solution because these take time to mature, but strategically placed shade trees and shrubs can help your curtains prevent warm sunshine from interfering with your air conditioner. For best shade protection, plant trees on the house’s east, west, and northwest sides, but avoid placing them too close to your house.
You can find straightforward strategies to reduce your energy costs even during the hottest months of the year. Visit the “Live brighter Blog” for additional energy-saving advice!
To Conclude
Every year, KEA members phone concerning their bills and meters. Most of these calls come from people who think their high utility bills are wrong. During the winter, heaters are on; we’re all inside more, the TV is on, the lights are on, the kids are inside, and so on. Winter is when we utilize more electricity. I hope you learned Why Is Electricity High In Winter And Summer?
We must often remind members of their increased usage. Residential users average 602 kWh per month annually. The summer average is 505 kWh ($78/month), and winter averages 706 kWh, 200 kWh greater than summer. The average winter bill is $105.
There are ways to limit your usage and keep your bill from rising as the temperature drops. I suggest checking your electric meter sometimes. Consider what’s on and check your meter. It’s rotating swiftly. The more electricity is used, the faster it spins.
