In the winter, your furnace and other heating appliances work overtime to keep you warm, which means they use more energy. This is especially true during extremely cold temperatures, like what most of Michigan has been experiencing lately – meaning you should expect to see a higher energy bill.
We know how important it is to take control of your energy budget, so DTE has tips and tools to help you manage your energy use and bills all winter long.
Why is my energy bill higher this month?
- You’re using more energy: When temps are cold, your furnace is working harder to keep you comfortable, and it does this by using more natural gas and electricity. Taking hot showers or baths, using your oven or stove to cook warm meals or using space heaters will also increase your energy usage. You’ll also use more electricity in the winter because you spend more time indoors and daytime hours are shorter.
- Temps are fluctuating: Therefore, even just a few days of extremely cold weather this winter can make your furnace work harder and longer, increasing your energy usage.
- More people are spending time at home: More people in your home means appliances are used more or thermostats are adjusted to make guests more comfortable.
- Your monthly billing cycle might be longer: Cycles can run from 26 to 35 days, so monthly bills may vary based on the number of days. The number of days in your meter reading schedule can vary based on holidays and weekends. Your billing cycle is listed on your bill, in your DTE online account and in the DTE Mobile App.
To understand how usage, temperatures, nighttime hours and billing cycle affect your monthly bill, check out our free Bill Analyzer Tool. Available in your DTE online account, the tool also lets you compare your bills and usage on a monthly or yearly basis to see how outside factors can affect your bill.
What can I do to lower my energy bill in the winter?
- Adjust your programmable thermostat to 68 degrees when you’re home and to 65 degrees or lower when you’re asleep or out of the house. You can save around 3% on heating costs for each degree you lower your temperature.
- Know what uses the most energy – Electric space heaters use a high amount of energy and can impact your bill. While they offer immediate warmth, the cost to run a space heater is high. Try adding a layer like a blanket or sweatshirt instead of turning on your space heater.
- Add caulking or weatherstripping around doors and windows. You can save up to 10% on your annual energy bills by sealing air leaks and adding insulation.
- Allow warm sunlight in south-facing windows during the day and cover them at night to reduce drafts.
- Keep your furnace working at peak efficiency by regularly changing air filters, cleaning vents and getting routine tune-ups.
- Turn on your ceiling fans. Run the ceiling fan clockwise to draw warm air near the ceiling down throughout the room.
What tools are available to help me lower my energy usage?
Our free energy usage tools make it easy to learn how you use energy so you can make the right decisions for your household’s budget this winter. Sign into or create your DTE online account and use the Bill Analyzer Tool at the “Analyze my Bill” button to help you:
- Analyze your energy usage by the hour, week, month or year.
- Calculate your DTE bill based on changes you make.
- Discover what appliances use the most energy in your home.
- Try out a new electric rate to see how it could impact your projected bill.
- Understand how outside factors, such as the length of the billing period or weather, can impact your bill.
- Estimate the cost of charging an electric vehicle.
Electric customers can download the free DTE Insight App to help you see, understand, manage and control the energy used to power your home. Use the Insight App to receive energy usage recaps, set budgets and track goals – right in the palm of your hand.
Learn more ways to stay cool and lower your energy bill at dteenergy.com/staywarm. Additionally, if you or anyone you know needs assistance paying their bill, find support and programs at dteenergy.com/help.