2 minute read
HIGH ENERGY BILLS
By Heather Juzenas, Vice President of Marketing & Member Services
June 22 was one of the hottest Kids Day events we have hosted in a long time! The Newark City Fire Department came to the rescue by opening a hydrant and providing much-needed relief to the children and families. On extremely hot days, like June 22, it is hard to stay cool. Even our air conditioners work harder to keep us comfortable, and it shows on our summer electric bills!
Why Does This Happen?
The bigger the difference between the outside and inside temperatures, the more energy it takes to keep you comfortable. For example, if it is 70°F outside and you want your home to be 68°F, the system only needs to remove a small amount of heat, creating a two-degree difference. However, when it is 90°F outside, your air conditioning unit must work harder to keep the inside temperature at 68°F, resulting in a 22-degree difference.
Managing High Energy Bills
The high temperatures in June and July likely increased your energy bill. Contact us if you are struggling to catch up—we have options that can help! Here are a few:
Consider budget billing. Members can sign up for budget billing through SmartHub or by calling us. Our levelized (budget billing) program helps you avoid spikes in your energy bill and allows you to plan for a year’s worth of energy use.
Set up a payment arrangement. We work with members who honor their payment plans. You can set up a payment extension using the SmartHub app. As long as you stay current on your payment arrangements, you will remain in good standing and are not at risk of disconnection for non-payment. If you encounter any issues with SmartHub, please call us—we are happy to help.
Take a Closer Look
Check your energy use in SmartHub to see if it correlates with the weather. Because cooling and heating your home typically accounts for the most significant portion of your bill, you will likely see energy use rise and fall with the temperature. However, if you have a sump pump, well pump or pool pump that runs constantly, you will see high energy use every hour of the day (regardless of the temperature).
