The cause of higher electricity bills this season

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – As if the rising cost of groceries and gas at the pump isn’t enough, many households are noticing heating bills are higher than usual.

A contributing factor may be that the price of natural gas has gone up, which the Tennessee Valley Authority must purchase to produce electricity.

According to Warren RECC, this may not be the main reason for a higher heating bill.

“People can say, ‘well I didn’t change my thermostat and they may not have,'” said Kim Phelps, senior director of communications and public relations at Warren RECC. “When you have several days of sustained cold, your furnace has to work harder to maintain the temperature you have set, so that does make bills a little bit higher in the winter months.”

Phelps said households will see the best results if they change out their filter and monitor their electricity usage through the SmartHub app. She also advises customers with trouble paying their utility bill to apply for federal help or local operation Warm Hearts Program.

Applications for both programs are available through Community Action of Southern Kentucky.