Summer residential rates return beginning with May 1 electric bills. While our summer rates are slightly higher (12.48¢) than our winter rates (11.49¢), a wholesale power cost adjustment credit of $1.79 per 1,000 kilowatt hour (kWh) remains in effect. That means the actual billed cost per residential kWh for May 2021 will be 12.301¢.
The co-op recommends an air conditioning setting of 78°F for an occupied home and 85°F for an unoccupied home. If you find the 78°F setting uncomfortable, check your home’s indoor humidity level. If it is above 50%, look for ways to reduce indoor humidity to allow for a higher thermostat setting. Strategies for reducing indoor humidity include running bathroom exhaust fans while showering, covering pots and pans while cooking, and reducing the number of indoor plants that require frequent watering. Keep in mind that oversized air-conditioning systems will not run long enough to properly dehumidify so avoid the urge to oversize when installing a new HVAC system.
Fans are an economical way to cool off but remember: fans cool people. They do not cool rooms. Therefore, cut fans off in unoccupied rooms. Likewise, you should never operate your HVAC system in the “On” mode which will continuously operate the system blower. Use the “Auto” mode instead.
More ways to save energy
Download our Weatherization Guides to start saving.