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In my August 2024 article, I mentioned kilowatt hour (kWh) usage and this month I'd like to talk more about that. I will also talk about how using less during certain times of the year can save you money as well as every other member!

For residential accounts, West Florida Electric Cooperative's (WFEC) current kWh price is 0.11637 cents per kilowatt hour used. If your use was 1,000 kilowatt hours, then your bill shows an Energy Usage Charge of $151.37 ($116.37 for you kWh plus $35 for the base rate, which I spoke about last month).

As members, we are aware that we use more power during the colder winter months and hotter summer months. What you may not be aware of is that WFEC is a winter peaking system, which means that we use the highest amount of power (demand) in the winter on typically the coldest morning of the year between 6 and 9 A.M., when everyone is getting up to start their day. How much the entire cooperative uses on that morning sets our peak demand with our power supplier, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative in Andalusia, Alabama, and that peak demand affects how much we pay for the next year!

There are quite a few things that you, as a member, can do to lower your overall energy use as well as help with that winter peak. I will give you just a couple of suggestions. One of the most important things you can do to eliminate kWh use is make sure that your home is properly insulated. Heat and cold enters and exits your home in so many places and there are small things you can do to help stop it. Check the weather stripping on your doors, windows, your home's skirting, and the pipes coming into your home. Also make sure to check the level of insulation in your attic. Another thing that you can do is make sure that all your major appliances (water heater, electric stoves, clothes dryers, air conditioners/heaters, and pump) are operating properly. Most of these operate on 220 voltage and can make a major difference in your kWh use. (And, please don't forget to insulate your pump this winter to keep it from freezing).

If you need more information or advice about how to conserve and save, don't hesitate to reach out to the Energy Services Department by calling 800-342-7400. It might sound crazy, but that department is dedicated to helping you buy less power!

Look out for those super cold mornings and try not to use as much power between 6 and 9 AM on those days. Any little bit will help.

I hope that everyone has a safe and blessed holiday season.