Why Is My Electric Bill Higher In the Fall & Winter Seasons?

Learn how you can track how much energy is being used at your home or business.

Let’s be honest; we all love summer. The warmer weather, the longer days, the chance to get outside and enjoy all that nature has to offer. However, now those days are behind us. The fall weather is almost over, and the temperatures are dropping as winter approaches.

For many of us, this also means our electric bills will rise.

During this time of year, Sangre de Cristo Electric Association (SDCEA) office staff members receive calls from members asking why their monthly bill seems higher than previous months, and whether a rate increase is to blame.

It’s true your bill may be higher than before, but it is not due to a rate increase.

SDCEA hasn’t raised rates since 2017. The Service Availability Charge, a fixed monthly fee that covers the cost of providing service to your home or business, has not increased since 2017 either.

However, you may still be wondering, why is my electric bill higher now?

The amount of energy you use in a month affects your electric bill, and winter is typically a time when electricity usage is higher.

Following are some reasons we use more electricity in the winter:

People spend more time in their homes during the colder months. It’s time to bring out the space heaters and electric blankets. There is also an increase in the time spent watching television and using computers. Don’t forget the PlayStation and the other gadgets people typically use during evening hours in the winter. TV streaming viewing surges during the winter months — it’s binge-watching time.

There are more hours of darkness during these seasons. Therefore, you probably use more lights inside your home, which consume more energy.

Winter is a time when people tend to take warmer showers. The water for those showers is heated, and because it’s colder, it takes more electricity to heat it to a comfortable temperature. Hot tubs also require more energy to maintain heat for a comfortable water temperature.

During the holidays, some households decorate with additional lighting, which draws more power.

Guests visiting over the holidays? That means more people taking showers and running appliances such as hair dryers. You may find yourself cooking more for guests, including students at home. Did we mention binge watching?

You might be using a block heater to help start your vehicle, heat tape or other winter-specific equipment.

Curious about how much power you use each day?

You can track that.

Create an account on our website or download and sign in to our SmartHub app. On the landing page, click Start Now. You will be taken to three options to analyze and manage your energy usage. It is an easy way to compare your usage from the previous month, year or season.

You can also use this to track how much energy you use in your home or business.

Keep in mind, even if you have a gas or propane heater in your home, it still uses electricity to move the warm water or air throughout your house.

We encourage you to contact us if you have any questions or concerns about your bill. Call us at (719) 395-2412, toll-free (844) 395-2412; or email us. For energy saving tips, go to our website and visit our Energy Saving Guides page.