With the price of natural gas and oil continuing to rise worldwide, the price of electricity is also going up. The increase is due to several factors – the conflict in Ukraine causing energy supply constraints, continued increased demand as the economy recovers from the pandemic and extreme weather impacting gas-producing states. As summer approaches, Eversource is encouraging customers to act now to save money and energy to help avoid a spike in seasonal electricity usage.
“On average, our New Hampshire customers use 25% more electricity during the summer months and that can get costly. We want to help our customers save money and avoid spikes in their energy bills,” said Eversource Executive Vice President of Customer Experience and Energy Strategy Penni Conner. “During the hot summer weather, air conditioners, fans and other appliances are working overtime to keep things cool inside and that means customers’ overall bills will go up. That’s why we urge customers to take advantage of our energy efficiency programs now.”
In New Hampshire, the energy supply price – or default energy service rate – for Eversource customers changes twice a year on February 1st and August 1st. Unlike previous summers when supply rates typically decrease, this year, the default service rate for residential customers who receive their energy supply from Eversource is proposed to change from 10.669 cents per kilowatt hour to 22.566 cents per kilowatt hour on August 1.
Immediate actions customers can take now to beat the heat this summer:
1. Use the new Cooling Calculator on Eversource.com. The tool helps customers understand how much electricity their current cooling system uses and the impact of small changes to temperature settings.
2. Keep air conditioners set at or near 78 degrees – a generally comfortable temperature that requires less energy to reach and maintain than cooler temperatures. For every degree higher on the thermostat, the air conditioner will use 1-3% less electricity.
Additional tips for keeping temperatures and energy costs down in the summer:
· Don’t block air flow. Keep air vents clear of obstructions such as furniture, curtains, and rugs. For those with central air and floor vents, consider using vent deflectors to direct and increase the reach of cooled air.
· Operate major appliances during the cooler parts of the day. Energy is conserved by using appliances like clothes washers and dryers early in the morning or late in the evening when there is less demand on the electric system.
· Keep blinds closed when it’s hot out to prevent unwanted heat from entering a home through windows. Using curtains, shades, and blinds can lower indoor temperatures by up to 20 degrees.
· Switch to ENERGY STAR® certified LED lights. The energy-efficient bulbs run cooler and last up to 25 times longer than incandescent lights.
· Set ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise and at a higher speed in the summer to circulate the breeze more effectively, creating a cooling, wind chill effect. Remember to turn the fan off when leaving the room.
· Look for the ENERGY STAR rating when purchasing new appliances. Also, be sure to choose the right size when purchasing an air conditioning unit. An oversized or undersized AC unit is less effective and uses more energy.
Regardless of financial need, customers are eligible for various payment programs and are urged to call Eversource at 844-273-7760 or visit Eversource.com/billhelp to find the right plan for them. To learn about the many energy saving programs available, visit Eversource.com.
Source: https://www.dovernh.org/news/details/eversourceenergy
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