Some aspects of life can become a daily routine. You get ready for work, get in your car, and drive to the coffee shop on the way to the office. At lunchtime, you drive to the nearest fast-food location and get lunch. Once you finally end the day at home, you stream an episode or two of you favorite show before bed.
As we look for ways to save money in this age of increasing inflation, we begin to think about our daily routine and how much value it provides compared to the money spent. A morning latte cost about $6, a fast-food combo with a burger, fries, and a drink sets you back $10, and a Netflix subscription is about $16 monthly. All these daily expenses totaled around $85 a week, or about $340 monthly. And what was the real value — short-term satisfaction and a larger waistline? Even as you start packing your lunch, a latte still costs about $120 a month. This may get you thinking — is this the best value for my money?
The average daily cost of electricity is about $4.57, and the average monthly electric bill for members of Warren County REMC is $140. You could power your entire home every day for the price of a medium latte. You could brew your own coffee, cook your own meals, binge a series, and run on a treadmill for less than the cost of that drink. That’s real value.
Electricity provides benefits that we often take for granted. It goes well beyond short-term satisfaction by allowing us to charge devices, have cold food and hot water, and enjoy a comfortable indoor climate. Besides the privilege it affords, electricity has remained relatively cost-stable despite rising inflation.
As a member-owned cooperative, Warren County REMC does everything in our power to ensure your costs stay reasonable and that electricity remains a great value for our members. It’s not always easy, as several factors beyond inflation impact the price of electricity — some within our control but most beyond it.
The cost of electricity can fluctuate due to supply and demand, infrastructure investment, maintenance, and operational expenses. Weather patterns also contribute, affecting demand and generation capabilities, with extreme conditions leading to heightened energy use or disruptions. Government policies, such as subsidies for renewable energy or taxes and regulations on emissions, shape electricity costs as well. Your electric co-op considers all these aspects when adjusting rates, and because we’re a cooperative, we also consider the impact of those costs on our members.
As our community continues to rely on electricity for nearly everything in our homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses, we need it to be reliable and affordable. You can be assured that Warren County REMC always puts you top of mind and works each day to ensure electricity remains the best value for your money.
