Winter in Alberta has arrived and it has come with extreme cold.  Alberta winters always keep you on your toes because you just never know what it is that you are going to get from day to day.  The past few winters have been filled with extreme cold and lots of snow.  Not only Alberta winters but the past summer was a much hotter summer than we normally have in Alberta.  

Air conditioners increase the cost of your electric bill in the summer, just as extra heating costs do in the winter.  You will notice that in certain months of the year, your electric bill will be higher than others.  Today we want to talk about what makes these fluctuations happen and how can you prepare for them when they do?

FACTORS THAT AFFECT YOUR ELECTRIC BILL FROM MONTH TO MONTH

1| The type of rate that you chose from your retailer. There are two different options when it comes to paying for electricity for your home or business.  You can purchase your electricity at a fixed rate or a variable rate.  A variable rate means that every month, your bill is going to be different. This is due to the market which will change daily. When you are paying a variable rate for electricity, you want to make sure that you are prepared for the fluctuations that come with that option.  

2| Weather.  This plays such a big role, especially in Alberta.  Alberta weather can and will change from day to day.  This is something that you won’t be able to control but there are ways to help with the fluctuations that these weather changes can bring.  (Link back to your January blog post)

3| Your habits.  We all have habits that we may not even realize we have.  Do you turn up the thermostat two or three degrees after getting out of bed?  By programming a smart thermostat to increase the heat by even one degree before you get out of bed, you can help break this simple habit.  It can also be as simple as unplugging your appliances and electronics when they are not in use.

4| The people in your home.  The number of people that live in your home will have a factor on the amount of your monthly electricity bill.  The more people, the higher your electric bill is going to be from month to month.  It means that you have more people using the hot water, more people flushing toilets, and more people using different appliances throughout the day.

5| The home that you live in.  Do you live in an older home or a newer home?  Do you have newer windows or older windows?  The house that you live in will play the biggest role of all in your electric bills.  Making sure that you keep up with your home maintenance will help with the cost of your electricity.