A glance at your monthly electric bill shows you the amount of energy that powers your home. Yet, all the information on the bill may also leave you in the dark about what exactly it all means.

Measuring Your Energy 
Your home’s energy use is typically measured in kilowatt-hours, or kWh, for short. This is the amount of electricity needed to do 1,000 watts of “work,” or 1 kilowatt for 1 hour. The amount of kilowatt-hours of energy consumed multiplied by the kWh rate leads to the total of your monthly energy cost. Different appliances use varying amounts of energy, and their consumption is based on how frequently they are used. 

More electricity is used to heat and cool buildings than nearly any other activity, so your energy bills are the highest during the dog days of summer and winter’s coldest months. Your air conditioner and heating system are working the hardest during these times to maintain the thermostat settings to keep you comfortable. 

Improve your energy use 
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to improve your home’s energy use. With the highest single use of energy in your home typically being the heating and air conditioning, one way to control your energy use is by installing a Wi-Fi thermostat. Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats automatically learn your preferences and adjust your home’s temperature to establish a schedule and make minor changes that save energy while you’re asleep or away. On top of the savings you’ll earn over time from optimizing your HVAC performance, you could be eligible for a $45 rebate from KV REMC and the Power Moves program when you install your new thermostat. 

For more tips and advice, visit the ENERGY STAR® website at energystar.gov. For information on the Wi-Fi thermostat program, visit kvremc.com or contact the co-op.