COLD WEATHER:

• Heating: The cold weather means that you're going to be using your heating system.  The colder it is outside, the more energy that is needed to heat your home.  If you use a heat pump or some other form of electric heat, your electric bill will be higher during colder months.  Even if your heating system is primarily fueled by natural gas, it has a fan that uses electricity and this, uses more energy during colder months.

• Lighting: Winter also means longer nights and shorter days.  You may find yourself turning the kitchen light on in the early evening, more than you would in the summer.  The longer the lights are on, the more electricity used.

• Water Heating: In the winter, water comes into the home at a much colder temperature.  This means that the water heater has to work longer to heat the water.  Even if you use the same amount of hot water as in the summer, the  water heater will use more energy, therefore, increasing your winter energy bills.

  HOT WEATHER:

  • Central Air Conditioning: Central air conditioning systems can have a big impact on your summer electric bill.  An air conditioning system has a compressor, condenser fan and blower all using electricity to cool your home.  During hot and humid summers, central air conditioning can make up over half of your electric bill.

  • Room Air Conditioners: While this can be an effective way of cooling a targeted area of the house, room air conditioners can also have a significant impact on the summer electric bill.  A 6000 Btu unit will cost about $15 per month to operate.

  • Swimming Pool/Spa: Remember, your pool or spa pump and heater can be large energy consumers.  Even if you heat your pool with gas, the pump uses an electric motor that will increase your electric bill in the summer.

  • Food Storage: Many people keep an extra refrigerator or freezer in an unconditioned part of the home.  Refrigeration equipment uses more energy when it is exposed to warmer temperatures, such as in a garage in the summer.  This can result in a small increase in electrical usage in the summer.

   

   

Greater amounts of energy are used by your heating system in the cold months and your cooling system in the warm months.  Let's look at these seasonal factors.