Colder winter weather will equal higher energy bills

With recent extreme cold winter weather, A&N Electric Cooperative warns of increased electric use locally, which will lead to higher electric bills.

When temperatures go down in winter, heating needs go up, which increases energy use in homes and other spaces.

Even if you keep the thermostat at the same temperature inside, your heat pump or furnace has to work harder when it gets colder outside. That increases your energy use and therefore increases your energy bill.

Your energy use depends on many factors, including your house’s square footage, age, insulation, the efficiency and age of the HVAC system, etc. Neighbors with the same floor plan and HVAC system could have dramatically different energy bills due to factors like how many people live and work in the home, what the thermostat is set to or how many appliances and devices are used.

To learn more about how you can decrease your energy use, please contact the cooperative’s member services department at 757-787-9750, fill out a “Contact Us” form at www.anec.com, or message us on SmartHub.

SmartHub is also a great tool to help you track your daily energy use.

The cooperative can conduct an in-home energy audit to provide information on how you are using energy in your home and identify areas of concern that may need attention.

Co-op members needing assistance with higher winter energy bills should search “payment assistance” at www.anec.com, which lists several local programs and services.