Why Is My Electric Bill Higher In the Fall & Winter Seasons? – Sangre de Cristo Electric Association, Inc. (2024)

FAQs

Why does my electricity usage go up in winter? ›

We Use More Electricity In Winter

Air conditioners and ceiling fans transition to space heaters, electric blankets, and a higher demand for hot water. Trends also show that people spend more time in their homes in winter months, so more electricity is being used for more hours than the summer months.

We tend to use more electricity in the summer. The hotter it is outside, the more we stay inside using electronics and appliances, and the harder our ACs have to work to keep our homes at our preferred temperatures.

Electricity Usage in Your Home

Heating systems, from electric heaters to gas furnaces, are the primary contributors to higher winter energy bills. As temperatures drop, people turn on their heating systems, which uses energy. Houses with less insulation may end up using more energy to achieve the desired temperature.

Energy prices are a product of supply and demand, so electricity is cheapest when consumer demand is low. Summer and winter are when we need to cool and heat our homes the most and those HVAC systems pull a lot of power so that's when electricity is most expensive.

Faulty electrical wiring could cause a sudden increase in electricity consumption, or your electrical meter may be broken. If you continue to see a higher than expected electricity bill, even after taking all of the necessary steps to troubleshoot the exact cause, it may be time to call a certified electrician.

Some of the most common reasons for increased electric bills include changes in the weather, increased electricity use, and rate increases from your utility company.

During the daylight hours, typically from 8am to 10pm, electricity rates are at their peak. Conversely, the night hours, usually from 10pm to 8am, offer off-peak rates that are more wallet-friendly due to the lower demand.

The ideal thermostat temperature in the winter is 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home. Energy.gov suggests that 68 degrees is a good room temperature while you're awake at home but recommends lowering it while you're asleep or away.

1. Air Conditioning and Heating. As your main source of comfort from extreme outdoor temperatures, your HVAC system uses the most energy of any single appliance or system at 46 percent of the average U.S. home's energy consumption.

In the summer and fall, electricity use increases gradually through the daytime as outside temperatures increase. The load peaks between 5 and 6 p.m. as people start getting home. Load starts dropping off as the sun and temperature go down because air conditioners are not running as often.

Does heat affect the electricity bill? ›

Weather is the biggest reason for fluctuations in your bill. On average, 55 - 60% of your electric bill is made up of heating and cooling costs. Throughout the summer, one month's bill can differ greatly from another, as the summer weather in this area can be unpredictable.

Total U.S. hourly electricity load is generally highest in the summer months when demand peaks in the afternoon as households and businesses are using air conditioning on hot days.

With colder weather comes an increase in electricity and gas use. New Australian Energy Council data shows that winter electricity bills can be more than $200 higher than in summer, contributing to a significant part of a household's annual energy costs.

Even if tree branches don't fall and disrupt power lines, ice can accumulate along tree roots, which may damage underground power lines. Wind can rock tree roots back and forth, which may affect power lines as well. It's important to keep in mind that the cold temperatures cause power lines to become stiffer.

Higher natural gas prices and increased energy use during colder months can lead to higher bills. Natural gas market prices have increase nationwide. In addition to these higher prices, lower temperatures have caused California to use about 26% more natural gas than the five-year November historical average.