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Have your bills been higher than usual? Here are four possible causes:

1. Consumption. The main factor affecting your monthly bill is the amount of energy used. The more energy your home consumes, the higher your electric bill will be. Typically, heating and cooling systems account for over 50% of your home’s energy usage.
2. Weather. Changes in outdoor temperatures affect your bill. Sometimes, we might forget about a brief cold snap that occurred earlier in the previous month. As temperatures drop, your home’s energy consumption rises. The larger the difference between outdoor and desired indoor temperatures, the more energy your heating system consumes.
3. Energy Costs. Because energy costs change regularly, you may see a monthly credit or charge based on current energy prices and the energy used. Energy cost adjustments are implemented to recover the fluctuating cost of fuel used to generate electricity that is not recovered in the utility’s base electric rates. The Energy Cost Adjustment (ECA) solely recovers the actual cost of fuel and purchased energy. The cooperative does not make any margins (profits) on the adjustment.
4. Billing Cycles. Billing cycles can vary based on the billing dates. An increased number of days in a billing cycle may cause your bill to appear higher than usual.

We’re here to help! Contact First Electric Cooperative at (800) 489-7405. We can review your electric bill and usage. Additionally, we can discuss energy audits, recommend energy-saving tips and suggest billing or payment methods that may assist you.

Stay in control of your energy use! Monitor your daily and monthly usage anytime with the First Electric app or by signing into your online account. Awareness is key — tracking your usage helps you avoid surprises on your bill, especially during cold weather. Download the First Electric app today!