Why was my winter electricity usage so high?

At the end of January, temperatures dropped and many families were iced inside their homes for days. Throughout that time electricity usage naturally increased. During extreme cold, electricity usage rises significantly as heating systems run longer and more frequently to maintain safe indoor temperatures. With more time spent indoors, TVs were on, multiple meals were cooked at home, and appliances and devices were all running at the same time. Kilowatt usage adds up quickly. Those spikes in usage will show up on the following month’s bill which can make it feel unexpected.

At the beginning of January, we also implemented a rate adjustment. This decision was made only after careful consideration and reflects the rising cost the cooperative has continued to face. The previous rate base was set in 2020 before the inflationary pressures of recent years. Since that time, the cost of materials, fuel and equipment have risen along with increased insurance expenses and new state regulatory requirements such as pole inspections and wildfire mitigation efforts. These requirements are essential to maintaining a safe, reliable, and resilient electric system for all Members and the communities we serve.

As a Member-owned, not for profit cooperative, our focus remains on serving our Members with reliability, fairness, and care. We are deeply committed to supporting members who may be feeling the impact of higher bills. Our team is available to review usage, explain billing details, and work with Members to navigate payment options. We encourage anyone with concerns about their bill to contact us. We are here to listen, to guide, and to help you find a path forward that works for your household.

Members can also monitor and manage energy use through Power Usage Alerts in the SmartHub app and explore flexible payment options such as Bank Draft, Power Pay, and Budget Billing.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact our Member Service team at 903 843 2536. We appreciate the trust you place in Upshur Rural Electric Cooperative and remain honored to serve our communities.