If you’re like me, there are aspects of your life that become sort of a daily routine. I get ready for work, get in my car and drive to the office. At lunchtime, I may drive to the nearest fast-food restaurant and get lunch. Once I finally end the day at home, I stream an episode or two of my favorite show before bed.

With rising inflation, I started evaluating my daily routine to see how the value I receive compares to the money I spend. A fast-food combo with a burger, fries and a drink set me back $10, and my streaming subscriptions are about $80 each month. All these daily expenses totaled around $70 a week, or about $280 monthly. And what was the real value—short-term satisfaction and a larger waistline? This got me thinking—is this the best value for my money?

The average daily cost of electricity is about $5.52, and the average monthly electric bill for members of Pee Dee Electric is around $168. You could power your entire home every day for less than the price of a burger combo. Now to me, that’s real value.

Electricity provides benefits that we often take for granted. It goes well beyond short-term satisfaction by allowing us to charge devices and have cold food and hot water, all in a comfortable indoor climate. Besides the privilege it affords, electricity has also remained relatively cost-stable even amidst rising inflation.

As a member-owned cooperative, Pee Dee Electric does everything in our power to ensure your costs stay reasonable and that electricity remains a great value for our members. It’s not always easy, as there are several factors beyond inflation that impact the price of electricity—some within our control but most beyond it.

The cost of electricity can fluctuate due to supply and demand, infrastructure investment, maintenance and operational expenses. Weather patterns also contribute, affecting both demand and generation capabilities, with extreme conditions leading to heightened energy use or disruptions. Government policies, such as subsidies for renewable energy or taxes and regulations on emissions, shape electricity costs as well. Your electric co-op considers all these aspects when adjusting rates, and because we’re a cooperative, we consider the impact of those costs on our members as well.

As our community continues to rely on electricity for nearly everything in our homes, schools, hospitals and businesses, we need it to be reliable and affordable. Rest assured, Pee Dee Electric prioritizes your needs and works tirelessly to ensure electricity remains a top value for your money.