Your electric bill may vary, depending on a variety of lifestyle factors, such as the number of people who live in your home, the size of your home, and the electric equipment you own and operate.
When one of your electric bills is much higher or lower than usual, think back over the last couple of months. Consider these questions. Did I run my air conditioning? Was my electric heat pump or my add-on heat pump running? Do I have a water bed? How many refrigerators and freezers do I use? Did I do any entertaining? All these factors can affect the total amount of your electric bill. Here are some other things that can cause your electric bill to vary.
Change of season.
Hot weather makes your refrigerator motor run longer and more often, using more electricity. Attic fans, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers also use more electricity during the warmer months.
One energy-user that is easily overlooked in most homes is the furnace fan. During normal winter weather, the furnace fan on your home’s gas- or oil-heating system operates about 10 hours a day, and much longer during very cold weather. If you have central air conditioning, a heat pump, or an add-on heat pump, your furnace fan is working in the summertime, too, to circulate the cool air through your house.
Since the days are shorter in the winter, your lights will be on longer. You also may spend more time at home with the TV, CD player, or VCR on. During colder weather, some people use humidifiers and heat tape on exposed water pipes, both of which use electricity. And of course, winter brings the holiday season with its extra lights, houseguests, and special cooking, all of which can add to your electric bill.
Changes in living habits.
Moving into a new home, bringing home a new baby, doing more laundry when the children go back to school, starting a new hobby, and entertaining at home – all of these can cause an increase in your electric bill.
New appliances.
A new color TV will use three times as much electricity as a new black-and-white set. A frost-free refrigerator uses up to 50 percent more electricity than a manual-defrost refrigerator does. Adding a water bed heater also adds to your electric bill, especially in colder weather.
Older appliances.
Some appliances use more electricity when they get old because they become less efficient. For example: faulty electric coils in your water heater can add to your electric bill. To make sure that your appliances are operating efficiently, follow the manufacturer’s service guidelines.
