Even With Rates Down, Bills Still Driven By Usage: Eversource

CONNECTICUT — Eversource Energy Officials Thursday were warning customers that, even though rates are slated to go down with recent adjustments, home electric bills are driven by how much power is used and therefore could go up when air conditioning units start blasting away away in the summer.

Here is an explanation and an overview on efficient electricity use from Eversource:

• On average, Connecticut customers use 35 percent more electricity during the summer months. To help customers manage their increased summer costs, Eversource offers a variety of easy and budget-friendly energy efficiency measures that can help customers keep their homes cool while managing energy use. Details are below.
• On June 1 customers in Connecticut using an average of 700 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity a month can expect to see an increase of less than $3 on the delivery portion of their monthly bill when the rate adjustment takes effect. This rate change covers costs associated with building and maintaining a reliable electric system – this does not include costs related to the Tropical Storm Isaias restoration.
• On July 1, the cost of energy will decrease for customers who receive their energy supply from Eversource. In Connecticut, the energy supply price changes twice a year – January 1st and July 1st. On July 1, 2021, the Standard Service Charge for residential customers will change from 8.391 cents per kilowatt-hour to 7.003 cents per kilowatt-hour and the supply portion of customers’ bills will decrease by more than $9.50 for customers using an average of 700 kWh of electricity per month.
• "Staying cool and comfortable at home during the hot summer months can get costly and we want to help customers save energy and avoid spikes in their energy bills," Eversource Executive Vice President of Customer Experience and Energy Strategy Penni Conner said. "On average, customers use more electricity during the hot summer weather because air conditioners, fans and other appliances work overtime when it's sweltering outside. So while the cost of electricity will go down on July First, customers’ overall bills will go up because more electricity is being used to keep things cool. That’s why we urge customers to take advantage of our energy efficiency programs now – before the hot weather arrives."

Eversource officials outlined actions customers can take now to beat the heat this summer:

• Use the new Cooling Calculator on Eversource.com. The tool helps determine how much electricity is being used to keep a home cool and offers suggestions to save energy.
• Sign up for a Home Energy Solutions home energy audit. During the audit, a certified technician checks a customer’s home to identify places it can be tightened up to save money and energy. The technician will do on-the-spot improvements like replacing old lighting with LEDs, sealing up drafty doors and windows and closing air gaps around pipes.
• Take advantage of the Kill A Watt electricity usage meter which shows how much power is being used by most home devices. The Kill A Watt kits are available for borrowing from nearly 200 libraries around the state. A list of participating libraries can be found at Eversource.com, here.

Additional tips for keeping temperatures and energy costs down in the summer:

• Keep air conditioners set at or near 78 degrees—a generally comfortable temperature that requires less energy to reach and maintain than cooler temperatures. For every degree higher on the thermostat, the air conditioner will use 1 to 3 percent less electricity.
• Don’t block air flow. Keep air vents clear of obstructions such as furniture, curtains, and rugs. For those with central air and floor vents, consider using vent deflectors to direct and increase the reach of cooled air.
• Operate major appliances during the cooler parts of the day. Energy is conserved by using appliances like clothes washers and dryers early in the morning or late in the evening, when there is also less demand on the electric system.
• Keep blinds closed when it’s hot out to prevent unwanted heat from entering a home through windows. Using curtains, shades, and blinds can lower indoor temperatures by up to 20 degrees.
• Switch to LED lights. The energy efficient bulbs run cooler and last up to 25 times longer than incandescent lights.
• Set ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise and at a higher speed in the summer to circulate the breeze more effectively, creating a cooling, wind chill effect.
• Look for the ENERGY STAR rating when purchasing new appliances. Also, be sure to choose the right size when purchasing an air conditioning unit. An oversized or undersized AC unit is less effective and wastes energy.

____

Eversource this week was encouraging customers to enroll in one of its payment plans or assistance programs if they need help with their energy bill.

Regardless of financial need, both residential and non-residential customers are eligible for the COVID-19 Payment Program and are urged to call the energy company at 800-286-2828 to learn more.

Enrollment in the program has been extended to July 20. Customers can also learn more about payment programs and enroll online at Eversource.com/BillHelp. Information on energy efficiency programs is available at www.energizect.com.