If your electric bill is higher in the summer, you’re not alone. Hot weather increases city-wide air conditioning use, which raises energy demand and the cost of supplying electricity. Beginning July 1 and continuing through Oct. 31, our seasonal electric rate changes from $0.11270 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to $0.15303 per kWh. Summer bills are influenced by both how much electricity you use and the seasonal rate in effect. Understanding both can help you anticipate changes, make informed decisions and better manage your energy costs throughout the summer.
Your total energy cost = base + usage
Base Service Charge: This fixed monthly charge helps cover the shared costs of maintaining the electric system and providing service year-round.
Energy Usage (kWh): Your meter measures how much energy you use. That usage is multiplied by the seasonal rate in effect. This is typically the largest part of your energy cost and is the portion you have most control over.
Learn more about understanding your bill.
What affects your usage?
Even if rates stayed the same, most customers would still see higher summer bills because they use more electricity. For many homes, daily energy use can double between June and August. Cooling systems use more electricity than any other household appliance, and hotter weather, longer days and increased household activity increase runtimes even when thermostat settings do not change.
A bill cycle that includes just one week of temperatures 10 degrees hotter than normal can significantly increase higher energy use because twice as many cooling hours may be needed during extreme heat.
Example of how AC use can add up:
An AC running about eight hours on a hot day may use 20 to 40 kWh. At the summer rate, that’s about $3 to $6 per day for cooling alone. Over a month, cooling costs can add up to $90 to $180, depending on temperature and thermostat settings.
Tips and opportunities to save
Raising your thermostat a few degrees, even for a few hours each day, can reduce cooling costs without significantly affecting comfort, especially when paired with fans to keep air moving. Using a programmable thermostat can make those savings automatic.
Track your usage at myaccount.lovgov.org. Review your usage history, compare bills and view average temperature data alongside your energy use. Tracking your kWh from month to month can help you spot trends and better anticipate seasonal changes so you are equipped to manage your energy expenses.
Why summer rates cost more
Summer electric rates reflect the higher cost of providing power when demand is at its highest. As temperatures climb, air conditioners run longer and more often across the community, especially during late afternoons when electricity use peaks. Several factors drive up the cost of providing power during the summer, including:
Higher power costs: The cost of buying electricity on the wholesale market rises sharply when our region must compete for limited power supplies during hot weather.
Meeting higher demand: Air conditioning creates some of the highest electricity use of the year, requiring additional power generation and a strong electric distribution system.
Maintenance + reliability work: Heat, heavy use and storms strain system equipment. Summer requires more inspections, maintenance and staffing to keep power reliable and restore outages quickly.
Preparing for peak days: Having enough power available during the hottest days of the year helps prevent outages. That investment keeps service reliable when customers need it most
Seasonal rates help cover higher summer costs without increasing rates year-round. As a community-owned utility, we operate at cost and do not profit from selling power. Questions about your bill or usage? We’re here to help. Call 970-962-2111 or visit lovgov.org/utilities for tools and resources.
