Questions About Usage
 
Electric usage can vary month to month based upon a wide range of factors. Here are some common causes.

Weather

In our area, changing seasons bring dramatic changes in energy usage. On hot humid days, air conditioners run more often. Cold winter nights make furnaces run longer to maintain the proper temperature. In addition, energy consumption can greatly vary year to year depending on how temperatures compare to historical averages.

Appliances

Often new electrical appliances are overlooked when determining the cause of increased usage. A second refrigerator, especially one located in a garage or worse, a porch, will significantly increase energy consumption. Electric space heaters, even the smaller ones, use a considerable amount of electricity too. Before purchasing appliances, be sure to check the usage guide.

To determine how many kilowatt hours are being used by each appliance, determine the appliance's wattage (or amps) and how long you use it. Here's how you calculate usage:
 

• Convert amps to watts: amps x 120 volts = watts

• Watts x hours used per month = watt hours per month

• Watt hours divided by 1,000 = kilowatt hours (kWh)
  (Example: If you use a 100-watt light bulb for 10 hours you would use 1 kWh.)

Number of Days in Billing Cycle

Sometimes energy usage can seem higher due to the number of days in the billing cycle. Keep this in mind when comparing bills from previous months.

Vacations Do Not Necessarily Mean Less Usage

Vacations do not necessarily reduce your electric consumption. Even though you are away, your refrigerator, freezer, and furnace or air conditioner are still running. And often, families use more energy preparing for a vacation and upon returning home, such as extra laundry.

Analyzing Your Energy Usage

When your energy usage seems high, ask yourself about any changes in weather, living habits, appliance usage, and the billing cycle.  Start by comparing your current usage to that of a year ago, but remember weather conditions vary from year to year. Still think the energy usage is more than it should be? Try this test:

• Shut off all the breakers in the house, and then check the meter. The meter should completely stop turning.

• If it continues to turn, you may have a short between the meter and the breaker box. If so, call an electrician to locate the problem for you.

• If the meter stopped when the breakers were completely shut off, then turn on one breaker at a time and check the revolutions of the meter in a 30 second time period. This will allow you to identify the largest electric loads by breaker.

Meter Testing

An electric meter is an extremely accurate recording instrument that measures kilowatt-hour usage. Meters are tested before being installed and then tested on a rotating basis to ensure accuracy. It is very rare that a meter is found to run fast; as most of the time, they tend to slow with age.

If you feel you feel your meter is not registering accurately, you may request to have it tested. EnerStar Electric Cooperative will test the meter within 20 days of receiving a written request along with a meter test fee of $75.00. If the results indicate the meter is testing fast, the fee is refunded in full to the member.