The warmer times of the year has started, so you should expect the temperature to get hotter in the coming months. To counter the heat, you might be tempted to keep your AC on day and night — but that leads to higher energy bills, especially if your cooling system is inefficient. As early as spring, prepare your home for the summer, so you don’t hit your boiling point when you see a huge electricity bill.
Causes of High-Electricity Bill during Summer
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) explains that the cost to supply electricity changes rapidly. You, as a consumer, pay rates according to the seasonal cost of electricity. Several factors affect the prices of electricity, including:
- Fuel availability – the demand affects the cost of fuel, which usually increases when the demand for electricity is high.
- Power plants – their construction, maintenance, and operating costs contribute to the increase in electricity bill.
- Transmission and distribution system – the maintenance costs of this system affect the price of electricity, particularly when it needs repair due to damage caused by an accident or extreme weather condition.
- Weather conditions – these can either increase or decrease electricity prices. Extreme temperatures, for instance, increases the demand for cooling systems, which drive prices up.
- Regulations – states have different ways to regulate electricity prices.
The total demand for electricity is high in summer, that’s why you get higher electricity bills. In this season, there’s a need for more expensive generation sources to meet the demand.
Solar Panels Help Reduce — Even Eliminate — Your Energy Bill
Your electricity bill is likely to inflate over the next 20 years, given the increases in electricity rates. You can free yourself from paying an average of $1,200 annual electric bill by installing solar panels, however. This system helps you significantly reduce, if not eliminate, your energy bill.
Factors, such as the amount of energy your system produces and the amount you consume, influence the savings you get from solar. The rates you’re supposed to pay for your utility are another major factor affecting your savings. Find reliable SunPower solar panel dealers to install solar panels around your home.
Apart from its economic benefits, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) says that using solar panels contributes to minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. The system decreases the collective dependence of people on fossil fuel, which is where traditional electricity is sourced.
Energy-Saving Alternatives for the Summer
If you’re not ready to switch to solar power, consider other options to keep your home cool this summer without inflating your energy bill. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recommends:
- Setting your programmable thermostat high
- Clean or change the air conditioner filters regularly
- Block sun heat with window coverings
- Invest in energy-efficient appliances
Distributing electricity to residential properties costs more compared to industrial and transportation. This is why homeowners tend to pay higher electricity bills. In 2018, the average price of electricity in the US was 12.89¢ annually.
Don’t let high electricity bill spoil your summer. Consume your electricity smartly and keep your systems efficient to prevent your energy bill from increasing.
