Many households have experienced rising electricity bills partly due to planned rate increases by major providers such as BGE and Pepco. These utility providers future-proof their profits against changes in inflation while increasing infrastructure to meet new energy regulations. Regardless of the cause, Maryland homeowners wonder why their monthly electricity bill is so high and what they can do to lower the costs.
This article aims to help homeowners solve the increases in their electricity bills. While some causes of energy price hikes are out of their control, others can be fixed with the proper precautions and strategies.
Causes and Fixes of High Electricity Bills
High electricity bills can be caused by several factors, many of which overlap. The best approach is to search for multiple common causes and find solutions that address the most costly ones.
Cause #1: Rising Inflation and Infrastructure Costs
Utility providers often deal with rising inflation by passing costs down to their customers. Rising energy supply demand and delivery costs, transportation, materials, labor, and more can impact a homeowner’s monthly electricity bill. As utility providers invest in infrastructure, they may also raise rates to compensate.
Fix #1: Solar installations help homeowners resist inflation by getting them off the grid and helping them resist price changes. After upfront installation and maintenance costs, solar power pays for itself, making it an effective fix for price inflation.
Cause #2: Peak Time Usage
During “peak times” of day and peak seasons, power companies can upcharge for electricity to recoup the costs of maintaining crowded power grids. As a result, many homeowners will notice higher electricity bills during the summer months, even after accounting for increased AC usage.
Fix #2: Knowing that peak energy usage times occur in the middle of the day and during the summer, homeowners can change their power consumption habits to save money. For example, power-hungry activities such as washing clothes or dishes should be saved for off-peak hours to put less strain on the grid.
Cause #3:Inefficient Appliances
Outdated or inefficient appliances can waste power, especially when not Energy Star-certified. For example, many old refrigerators and washing machines draw far more power than they need, which can become a silent drain on the household’s resources. Even energy-inefficient light bulbs can drain power.
Fix #3: Experienced energy installers can check appliances to determine the source of the power drain. If they become outdated, dishwashers, freezers, washers, dryers, refrigerators, water heaters, and other appliances can become the culprits of high energy bills.
Cause #4: Unmaintained HVAC System
In addition to regular appliances, the HVAC system should be regularly serviced to assure efficiency. Older systems or those with dirty filters and inefficient motors can cause a power drain that only becomes noticeable during the summer or winter months when power consumption is highest.
Fix #4: To avoid a self-imposed summer price hike, homeowners should service their HVAC systems when they notice rising bills. A clogged filter or worn motor may be the culprit.
Cause #5: Bad Energy Habits
In some cases, the household’s energy usage habits are to blame for rising electricity costs. For example, leaving lights and appliances on during the night, leaving the A/C on when no one is home, and using multiple power-heavy devices at once can cause a costly power drain.
Fix #5: Better energy hygiene can help homeowners lower their bills without changing appliances or systems. However, in most cases, a change in energy habits will not be enough to make a noticeable positive impact on the monthly electricity bill. Many modern appliances have energy-saving features that prevent usage habits from causing energy spikes. The increase likely comes from other, more significant factors.
Partner With an Experienced Solar Energy Installer to Fix High Electricity Costs
Regardless of the cause of rising electricity bills, many homeowners struggle to fix the problem using the information on their monthly electricity bills. Experienced solar installers can address energy consumption issues to help lower monthly costs at the source. While changes in usage habits or appliances can make minor adjustments to current price increases, modern solar arrays can shield the home against future price increases.
With major energy suppliers planning to roll out additional utility hikes over the next several years, now is the time for homeowners to invest in sustainable energy. At Energy Select, our professional installers customize energy solutions for each homeowner’s needs.
At Energy Select, we know energy! Contact our professional team today to learn more about the causes of price increases in your home and the permanent solution offered by modern solar arrays.