Why East Hampton-Portland Residents Are Paying Higher Electricity Bills in the Winter

NORWICH, CT - Despite what residents may hope, it is typically commonplace for electric bills to go up in the winter months.

Norwich Public Utilities is one of many utility departments across the state that is fielding a number of questions this time of year from citizens demanding to know why this is happening. The government organization recently took to their Facebook page to help clear up some of these questions.

"We frequently hear from customers who notice that their electric bill increases during colder months, but they don’t understand why," the post reads. "Their first reaction is to think it must be an increase in rates, but that’s not the case."

According to the department's thorough post, heating equipment such as furnaces, boilers, space heaters and hot water heaters run more often during the colder months. This causes a higher consumption of electricity, which all heating appliances (even those fueled with oil or natural gas) require to run.

The department also states that computers, television sets and lights are on more in the winter than residents realize because everyone is inside more often. Even refrigerators run more during winter months, mainly because it’s being opened a lot.

"For example, a typical residential consumer uses about 500 kWh a month during the summer," the post reads, "but that same consumer may use about 700 kWh per month during winter months. This equates to about a $34, or 35 percent, increase in the electric bill."

Anyone who still believes their electric bill is unusually high based on the types of appliances being used in their home is advised to contact their local public utilities department. Customer service representatives can typically review an individual residence's electrical consumption and make recommendations on ways to lower costs.

Visit the Norwich Public Utilities Facebook page for more information.

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