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Questions About Your Bill

Do you think your power bill is higher than normal? If so, here are a few things to check to find out why.

If after studying all the above information, you still feel there may be a deeper problem, we are happy to take your call and assist you, or you can use our contact form to send us a message and we will get back to you as soon as we can. After handling your inquiry on the phone, we determine if a field visit is necessary to determine any energy efficiency problems or check the meter.

When Should I Ask to Have my Meter Tested?

We encourage customers to look for the cause in the above situations first. Meter tests should be a last resort instead of the first.

Meters measure energy use and because they are a mechanical device, it is rare that they run fast. They are seldom the cause of a higher bill but often blamed.

Less than 2 out of 1,000 meters are going to be wrong when tested. This includes running slow or running fast. Most old meters will likely run slow. A faulty meter would be more likely to run slow. In the case of a meter check, if no problem is found, the cost of the test will be your expense. 

Check here for more information on having your meter tested.

Accurate History

Review the kilowatt hour (kWh) history on your account for the last 13 months. This history is actually provided for you on every bill.

You can compare your most recent month to that same month one year ago. Weather fluctuations may be a factor in any major differences, but this is a good place to start your search.

The kilowatt hours you use are the main driver of costs on your electric bill. The average Access Energy Cooperative residential customers use about 1000 kWh of energy in a month.

True Electric Bill

Check to be sure this is a true high electric bill. Are there other charges beyond electric service? Any additional service fees (i.e deposits, connection/disconnection fees or returned check fees)?

  • Have any past-due amounts from a previous bill been added to the total?
  • Are there ancillary charges added to the bill for other products or services?
Days of Use

Check the number of days that are billed for your electric use. This varies from bill to bill due to the number of days in a month, and a billing cycle may be a bit shorter or a bit longer so as not to make your bill due on a weekend or holiday.

Is the number of days greater than other months in question because of meter readings or meter reading cycles? Is the daily average significantly different from other months in question?

Compare Winter to Summer

Check the kilowatt hour total by month. From the history, are the winter months higher, indicating some form of electric heat, higher hot water heater use or heaters being used on water beds?

Do the summer months indicate air conditioning? Were temperatures higher or lower than normal during the period?

List Appliances

Make a list of appliances in your home. This list is important because all appliances do NOT use the same amount of electricity, sometimes we don’t realize how much electricity we are actually using.

Did you recently purchase a new appliance or receive one as a gift?

Click here for information about purchasing a Kill-A-Watt monitor which lets you find out exactly how much your appliances are using.

Electric Meter Doesn't Go on Vacation

If leave your home for an extended period of time for business or vacation, remember that any appliance you leave plugged in or connected will continue to use electricity even while you are gone, especially your water heater, freezer, refrigerator, HVAC system, landscape irrigation, well pump, etc.

Most of us note that the TV and lights were not on, but we forget about these items.

Lifestyle

No two households use energy the same way, so comparing your energy bill to your neighbor’s is like comparing apples to oranges. It is best to compare your current use to your past use as mentioned above. That is a more accurate record.

Remember to determine if the size of your household has increased or if someone stayed at home more. Have you added a new swimming pool or hot tub in your back yard? Have you had “guests” stay for an extended period? Do you have hobbies that include the use of power tools, ovens and other high electrical resistance tools or appliances?

Lighting, Refrigeration, Appliances & Cooking

Lighting, refrigeration, cooking and appliances account for 56% of the total energy use in the normal household.

The location of refrigerators and freezers is very important. Never place a refrigerator or freezer in direct sunlight or in unconditioned space such as a breezeway, garage or out-building. The refrigerator or freezer will have to work harder to overcome excessive heat during warmer months. Make sure that your refrigerators and freezers have adequate ventilation.

Equipment Maintenance

If an appliance is more than 15 years old, the efficiency of that appliance may be decreasing significantly and requiring more energy to do its job. It is important to clean or replace the condenser, coils or filters on some appliances regularly. You may need to replace the appliance itself.

Many times old electrical wiring will have loose connections resulting in increased electrical use and create potential safety hazards.

Seasons

The additional heating or cooling load will cause an increase in electric use. Heating and cooling your home averages around 44% of your total energy use.

Using space heaters, fireplaces, livestock heaters or vehicle block heaters in the winter can dramatically increase your energy consumption. Running a dehumidifier or watering of lawns, gardens and animals in the summer months will increase your energy use.

Weather

Lightning can sometimes damage your well pump, sump pump or appliances increasing the running of these devices. If underground wiring-insulation is damaged, an increase in electrical use may occur when the ground is saturated with moisture.

Construction or Remodeling Activities

Has there been any underground excavation recently? If you have underground wiring, the electrical wires may have been nicked resulting in a direct short. Many times room additions are completed without proper sizing of HVAC for additional heating and cooling loads.

Dedicated to exceeding member's expectations for safe, reliable, efficient service while being a good citizen in our communities.

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1800 West Washington Street 

P.O. Box 440

Mount Pleasant, IA 52641

To REPORT AN OUTAGE CALL

319-385-1577 | 866-242-4232

Access Energy Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 800-795-3275 (voice) or 202-720-6382 (TDD).

©2023 Access Energy Cooperative. Safe, reliable, efficient service and a good citizen in our communities.

  • Home
  • My Cooperative
    • About AEC
      • About Us
      • Our Staff
      • Board of Directors
        • How to Run for the Board of Directors
          • Nomination Process Begins for 2021 Board Election
      • Monthly Magazine
      • Service Area
      • Annual Meeting
        • Election of Directors
      • Cooperative Principles
      • Where Does Your Power Come From?
      • History of Co-ops
      • About Touchstone Energy
      • Employment Opportunities
    • Policies
      • Articles of Incorporation
      • By-Laws
      • E-Business Privacy Policy
      • Identity Theft Protection
      • Privacy Policy
      • Rights and Remedies
      • Statement of Nondiscrimination
    • Member Info
      • Dividends
        • Treasure Hunt
      • What does it mean to be a member?
  • Your Account
    • Payment Options
      • Bank Draft
      • Budget Billing
      • Credit/Debit Card Payments
      • Payment Drop Box
    • Billing
      • Your Meter
      • Questions About Your Bill
    • IA Energy Assist Program (LIHEAP)
    • Moving/Address Changes
    • Rates
    • Dividends
  • Residential & Business
    • Residential
      • Residential Rebates
      • Rates
      • Products Available
      • Financing
      • Energy Audits
      • Energy Saving Ideas
    • Business
      • Business Rebates
      • Rates - Commercial & Industrial
      • Power Quality
      • Services
        • Business Energy Audits
        • Thermal Imaging
        • Questline
        • Business Energy Advisor
        • BizConnections
        • Energy Saving Ideas
  • Safety
    • General
      • Blinking Lights
      • Restoring Power
      • Safety Tips
      • Maintenance Programs
      • Safety Equipment
      • Safety Quiz
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Safety Policies and Procedures
      • Grain Bin Clearance
      • Tree Trimming
      • Call Before You Dig!
  • Community
    • Legislation
      • Current Legislative Issues
      • National Legislative Issues
      • Contact Your Legislators
    • Economic Development
      • Economic Development Partners
      • Revolving Loan Fund
    • News
      • Coop News
  • Co-op Programs
    • Programs for Youth
      • Access Energy Cooperative Scholarship Program
      • Summer Work and Internships
      • Youth Tour Contest
      • Kids Zone
    • Tools For Schools
      • Teachers Zone
      • Get Charged!
      • Safety Demonstrations
    • General
      • Photo Contest
      • RECare
      • Co-op Connections
      • Together We Save
      • Lineworker Scholarship Application
    • International Assistance
  • Going Green
    • General
      • A Balanced Fuel Mix Promotes Power Reliability
      • Electric Vehicles
      • Energy Saving Ideas
      • Programs to Help You Save Energy
      • Access to Green Energy Program
      • Environmental Partners
      • Rebates and Low Interest Loans
      • Solar Energy Generation
    • Wind Energy Info
      • Questions to Ask Vendors
      • Small Wind Systems
      • Tariff Requirements
      • Ten Steps to Wind Systems
      • Wind FAQs
  • Outage Center