Dayton Customers Face High Estimated Bills From Cold
Posted onAre Your Dayton Energy Bills Higher?
Higher-than-normal electricity bills shocked many Dayton energy customers last month. February's cold snaps left them contacting news outlets and lawmakers about high bills and if it could happen again. However, the actual reasons for these high bills may not be as big a problem as they first appear. Still, it should still be a reason to shop for better electricity rates. Let's talk about why cold snaps may have driven up your Dayton bills and what you can do about it.
Dayton February Estimated Bills
On average, February cold pushed heating use about $12-$15 higher than normal. To put that in perspective, EIA estimates that Ohio homes spend close to $125 a month on their electricity bills. So this means because of the cold weather, the average home bill rose close to $140 last month.
AES Ohio explained that record low temperatures caused the higher-than-average electric bills. That's party due to the nearly 50,000 homes that don't have smart meters. Due to extreme cold, AES Ohio meter readers were unable to read these analog meters. As a result, these customers saw estimated charges on their bills, many of which may have been slightly higher than they should be.
Customers must still pay the estimated bill amount. But, AES Ohio will eventually take accurate readings and then credit any overcharges to their account.
Ohio Electric Rates May Rise
However, it's important to remember that meters aren't the only thing to worry about.
Right now the AES Ohio PTC rate is 9.17822 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). But, with natural gas prices expected to rise, it's possible the PTC rate may rise as well. This means that unless you are practicing the best energy saving strategies, your future energy costs may rise. If that happens, then now's the time to shop during the shoulder month pricing season.
Ohio homes use an average of 811 kWh of energy per month. With the PTC rate, that adds to an average supply charge of about $74 on your bill. However, you would pay 7.99 cents per kWh if you switched to the Electric 12 Month Fixed Rate WITH MRC plan from Public Power. This equals an average supply charge of about $64 a month for 12 months ($10 less than AES Ohio). On top of the savings, Public Power has no early termination fee. This makes it convenient if you need to cancel should you have to move.
What Dayton Electric Customers Can Do
Thankfully, there are state programs you can take advantage of to keep the heat on during these last cold months. For example, HeatShare can help Columbia Gas of Ohio customers to help make payments or reconnect their service. If you need help with your winter bills it's best to call your utility and work with them to avoid disconnection.
You can also count on https://www.ohenergyratings.com for news and tips that could affect your bills. You can also shop here for the best rates in town.