Has your electric bill ever surprised you? If so, chances are it wasn’t because your charge was too low! The initial shock when your energy bill is higher than expected can lead to confusion. 

With the holiday season behind us and winter’s chill in the air, here are a couple of variables that could impact your monthly bill this time of year.

’Tis the season

A higher-than-average energy bill can be the result of family get-togethers during the holidays. Think about last month. Did you have family or friends stay with you? With more people in the house, devices such as the stove and water heater are used more often. 

You might have prepared meals for your guests – also increasing energy use. And if your guests stayed overnight, your water heater was used more. As these devices use 240 volts, they are some of the most energy-intensive items you own. 

Time for a tuneup

Let’s focus on your HVAC system. If you haven’t had it tuned up in a while, now might be a good time. A properly tuned and performing HVAC system can help you reduce your energy use. 

An easy first step is to check your furnace filter. Replace it if you can see dirt and dust built up on the filter media. Be sure to set a reminder to check it regularly based on the manufacturer’s recommendation.

Next steps

If you still have questions about your bill, don’t forget that your electric co-op is a great information resource. Energy experts there can help you compare costs year after year to identify what might have changed. This level of support is part of the cooperative difference.