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Bill higher than usual? Here are four possible causes:

1. Consumption. The primary factor that impacts your monthly bill is the amount of energy used. The more energy your home uses, the higher your electric bill will be. Heating and cooling systems typically account for more than 50% of your home’s energy usage.
   
   
2. Weather. Changes in outdoor temperatures impact your bill. Sometimes we can forget about a short, cold snap that happened earlier in the previous month. As temperatures drop, your home’s energy usage increases. The greater the difference between the outdoor temperature and your desired indoor temperature means your heating system is using more energy.
   
   
3. Energy Costs. Because energy costs can change regularly, you may see a credit or charge each month depending on current energy prices and the amount of energy used. Energy cost adjustments are implemented to recover the varying cost of fuel used to generate electricity that is not recovered in the utility’s base electric rates. The energy cost adjustment only recovers the actual cost of fuel and purchased energy. The cooperative makes no margins (profits) on the adjustment.
   
   
4. Billing Cycles. Billing cycles can vary depending on the dates billed. More days in a billing cycle may make your bill seem higher than normal.

We’re here to help! Reach out to Rich Mountain Electric Cooperative at (877) 828-4074. We can review your electric bill and your usage. We can also discuss energy audits, recommend energy-savings tips and suggest billing or payment methods that may help.