Tri-County Customers See Spike In Utility Bills Caused By Cold Weather Usage

HOOKER, Okla. (Feb. 22, 2011) – Temperatures dropped and electric usage spiked in January, causing higher February electric bills for many of Tri-County Electric Cooperative’s members.

While Tri-County Electric implemented a rate increase recently, it’s important to understand that higher rates don’t always equate to significantly higher electric bills. For example, the recent increase raised bills an average of $9.66 per 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) consumed. Weather may have played a much higher role in increasing the bills.

“Looking beyond the average 9.66 percent increase will benefit cost-conscious members who wish to lower their electric bill,” said Zac Perkins, manager of Communications and Member Relations. “More energy consumption is the single largest contributing factor to higher electric bills.”

He added that it is important to remember that bills received this month were actually for usage in the month prior.

“That previous month may have included a week or two of very cold temperatures that drove up usage significantly,” Perkins said. “Members can use the new charts and graphs on their bills to better understand their electricity use. They show kilowatt-hours used by month as well as average temperature and average daily kilowatt-hour usage.”

The combination of increased seasonal usage and a slightly higher electric rate led to higher-than-usual bills for many of the cooperative’s members in February. Perkins stressed that members can best manage their energy use by paying close attention to their electricity consumption and looking for ways to save energy. The cooperative’s website at www.tri-countyelectric.coop offers a ‘Ways to Save’ page with many free resources to learn how to save on your electric bill.

Members with questions regarding their bills or any other aspect of their electric service can contact Tri-County Electric at 800-522-3315 or [email protected].