Energy Checkup

Does your bill seem too high? You may be using more electricity than you think!

Here's a handy check-list you can use to be an "energy detective" in your home. Each item on the list can contribute to higher-than-usual bills. For more specifics, give our Energy Calculator a try. Or see our Energy Usage Q&A's.

• Added, changed or upgraded appliances. For example:
  • Bought new refrigerator/freezer but kept old one running in basement.
  • Installed a new, larger-capacity washing machine.
  
  
• Temporary use of additional electric equipment:
  • Temporarily used an item such as a heater, fan, pump, etc.
  • A new baby, students home from school or an additional resident can impact your energy use.
  
  
• Weather has gotten colder.
  • Water heater is located in a cold area.
  • Fireplace damper has been left open.
  • Humidifier has been running.
  
  
• Weather has gotten hotter.
• Air conditioner has been on.
• Window or house fans have been in use.
• Dehumidifier has been running.


• Heat Source:
  • Switched to electric heat;
  • Heat pump has been in use.
  • Have been using electric space-heating units.
  
  
• Household Changes:
  • Increased number of people in household
  • Added to living area (e.g., bedrooms, family room, greenhouse)
  
  
• Malfunctioning Equipment;
  • An appliance has been cycling on and off more frequently than usual.
  • Well water pump has been running continuously
  • Fuses have been blowing
  • Circuits have been tripping
  • Hot water faucets have been leaking
  • Electric hot water heater has been leaking
  • Thermostats may not be working properly

To get some answers to some frequently asked energy usage questions, just click on the topics you're interested in from the following list:

• Why does my monthly bill amount fluctuate? Answer
• Why is my bill higher than my neighbor's? Answer
• Why are some billing periods longer than others? Answer
• How does maintenance affect energy use? Answer
• How much impact will a defective appliance or item have on my bill? Answer
• Does my hot water temperature affect my bill? Answer
• What about changes in living habits…or family size? Answer
• Will health or therapy equipment have an impact on on my bill? Answer
• I was on vacation for a couple of weeks. Why didn't my bill go down? Answer
• What type of impact will spring (or fall) cleaning have on my energy bill? Answer
• Can you give me some more general energy saving tips? Answer

Why does my monthly bill amount fluctuate?

Fluctuations in monthly bill amounts are normal. Many factors that influence the amount of your bill. For example:

• Kilowatt-hours used -- When comparing your monthly bills, it's best to look at the kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity used. The Energy Use Profile on your bill provides a graphic representation of your month-to-month usage pattern, in average kWh per day, so you can easily spot fluctuations.

• The condition of energy equipment/appliances – While PSNH is responsible for providing the equipment to the point where electricity enters your residence, and for installing a meter to accurately record energy usage, you are responsible for the use and condition of the appliances and equipment beyond the meter. You need to be alert for the possibility of faulty wiring conditions or improperly operating appliances or equipment. They can cause an increase in the amount of energy you use, which will be added onto your bill.

• The time of year, length of the billing cycle, and rates – The time of year, length of the billing cycle, and rate you are on may all have an impact on the amount of your bill.

• Estimated bills – We typically read your meter every month. But, sometimes we are unable to read your meter. At these times, we issue an estimated bill. If a reading is estimated too high or too low, the billing will be corrected when the next actual reading is taken. Your current bill may appear high or low because of previous low or high estimates.

Seasonal use -- Changes in weather will affect the amount of your electric bill. For example, that unexpected cool and rainy weekend might have prompted you to turn on the heat for the first time in six months, but since it was a time of year when you wouldn't have expected to use the heat, you may have forgotten about it until the result showed up in your bill. The same is true for air conditioning, electric space heaters, dehumidifiers and other seasonally-used items.

Back To Energy Usage Q&A's

Why is my bill higher than my neighbor's?
	We recommend against comparing your bill with a neighbor's. Although the size of your homes may be the same, your appliances and the manner in which you use them could differ significantly. Insulation factors, including window and floor coverings, also affect your bill because they can have an impact on the efficiency of heating and air-conditioning systems.
Back To Energy Usage Q&A's
Why are some billing periods longer than others?
	Each regular billing period ranges from 25 to 38 days. The range may be greater for first bills, final bills or special bills. A special bill may be rendered if we are unable to access the meter at the scheduled monthly time, but subsequently get a reading on a special trip or appointment or if a bill is canceled and re-billed.
Back To Energy Usage Q&A's
How does the maintenance of my appliances affect energy use?
	Let's use your refrigerator as an example. Your refrigerator will cool more efficiently when its condenser is free of dirt and dust. The dust acts as an insulator that blocks proper cooling. So be sure to clean the condenser (the coils at the back of or underneath the unit) at least twice a year. Refer to your manufacturer's manual for user maintenance instructions on your refrigerator and other appliances.
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How about defective appliances or equipment?
	Improperly working appliances or equipment are usually less efficient energy users than their property working counterparts. Many times, we are unaware that some of our appliance or equipment are defective. We must all learn to be "energy detectives” in our homes. Here are some clues that could signal higher-than-usual energy use: Blown fuses or tripped circuits. Pumps that run more often than they should. Leaky faucets – A small leak that fills a coffee cup in 10 minutes wastes approximately 3,000 gallons of water a year. If you have an electric hot water heater, that small leak can add $40 a year to your electric bill. An increase or decrease in water temperature – This can signal a faulty thermostat or heating element.
Back To Energy Usage Q&A's
Does my hot water temperature affect my bill?
	It can, particularly for electric hot water heaters and dish washers. We recommend your water heater be wrapped and set to 120 degrees for additional savings. (Automatic dishwashers may require a higher temperature refer to your owners manual). An increase or decrease in water temperature can signal a malfunction, such as a faulty thermostat or element.
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What about changes in living habits…or family size?
	Has the work schedule of a household member been adjusted so that they're home more? Are you working at home later into the night, using your lights and appliances for a longer period of time than previously? Lighting costs can make up 15 percent of your electric bill. Have you recently had an addition to your household? For instance, a baby or an elderly parent? This could result in keeping the house warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, and promote increased use of appliances. All of this will affect your bill.
Back To Energy Usage Q&A's
Will health or therapy equipment have an impact on on my bill?
	If it's electric-powered,it probably will. For example, is a member of the household on a respirator, or using a vaporizor? Is someone in the household using an electric treadmill for exercising?
Back To Energy Usage Q&A's
I was on vacation for a couple of weeks. Why didn't my bill go down?
	Many people expect their electric bill to be significantly lower than usual when they're away on vacation. They often find their bill amount isn't much different from their usual bill. There are several reasons for this: Your time away from home may have fallen into two billing periods so that the total difference in your energy use will not be apparent in a single bill. Automatic appliances operate throughout the day and night, whether you are home or away. Some examples: refrigerator, freezer, electric water heater, heating system, etc. It may not be practical or even wise to disconnect them unless you plan to be away for weeks at a time. The Customer Service Charge remains the same each month. It's determined separately from the energy used.
Back To Energy Usage Q&A's
What type of impact will spring (or fall) cleaning have on my energy bill?
	Are you doing extra loads of laundry – bedspreads, curtains, blankets, clothes? Although the washing machine itself does not use a lot of energy the use of hot water is a big contributor to the energy usage if you have an electric hot water heater. We recommend you use cold water when doing laundry. An electric dryer, at a wattage rating of 5,000 uses 5 kWh per hour of use. Make the best use of the dryer by drying a full load rather than a few items at a time.
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Can you give me some more general energy saving tips?
	Turn off lights when not in use. Minimize the number of times you open the refrigerator door. Wash full loads of laundry using cold water whenever possible. Turn off all appliances when not in use, especially room heaters, electric blankets, TVs, stereos and radios. Keep all appliances and other pieces of electrical equipment in good repair and well maintained. Close doors and windows when running an air conditioner or space heater Keep your waterbed covered all the time. Keep fireplace damper closed when not in use.
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