We often hear the question, "Where did I use all that electricity?" To answer that concern, we must first acknowledge that no two families consume electricity in exactly the same way. On the surface, it may appear that they operate similar appliances and equipment. However, the manner of operation and frequency of use can make a big difference when it comes to comparing your monthly statements. From roof to foundation, every home is unique, and so is the family living within its walls.

Clearly, your household electric bill is no longer a "light bill." In fact, lighting typically accounts for a small percentage of the modern family's electricity bill.

The largest users of electricity are things that heat or cool. The list is long: freezers, refrigerators, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, heat lamps, water beds, heat tapes, vehicle engine heaters, water heaters, portable space heaters, and welders are common devices which typically consume a significant amount of electricity.

Your home's structure type, insulation, windows and exposure can greatly affect household energy use. So will the weather.

Your choice of heating and air conditioning equipment will have a significant impact, too. We suggest you check out the advantages of our special electric heat and dual fuel programs. We can offer substantial savings for your participation in "off-peak" programs.

Become a Meter Monitor

Still concerned about the amount of electricity you're using? Try this:

1. Be familiar with the electrical devices in your home. Take an inventory of appliances and equipment.
2. Pick a day and time to begin recording meter readings. Take a meter reading each day, for a week to ten days, at about the same time each day. This will generally allow you to consider a broad range of activities.
3. Subtract yesterday's reading from the reading you took today. The difference will be your kWh consumption during the last 24-hour period.
4. Make note of changes in outdoor temperature or heavy use of any appliance or equipment.

Being a meter monitor will help you identify any activities or equipment use that seems to cause a significant increase in your electric consumption. If you would like more information on the typical amounts of electricity consumed by various appliances, please contact our office.

If you suspect an appliance of being an "energy hog," you may want to check out an appliance test meter from Jackson Electric Cooperative. You can plug any 120-volt appliance directly into the test meter, which is then plugged into the outlet. The device will record only the electricity used by that single appliance.

Print out a copy of "My Electric Meter Readings"