January’s long cold snap — which plunged into the negatives throughout Michigan — is continuing and intensifying as February begins. This means your furnace is working harder to keep your home warm, even if you lowered your thermostat settings, and your latest bill reflects that increased usage.
We understand high bills are frustrating. Knowing what drives winter energy costs can help you adjust your usage and make choices that fit your budget.
Get support this winter
If you or anyone you know needs assistance paying their bill, find support and programs at dteenergy.com/help.
If you need a warming center at any time this winter, check out this list.
Understand why your bill is higher
- Your furnace uses both natural gas and electricity to keep you warm. During extreme temperatures, it works harder and uses more energy to do this.
- Space heaters use a lot of electricity. If you had to use one to stay warm, this likely added to your bill.
- Shorter and colder days keep people indoors, using more lights, electronics and heat. If schools were closed during this time, you may have had more people in your house than normal, using more energy.
Check your natural gas supplier
Michigan is a gas choice state, so DTE may not be your natural gas supplier. Double-check your bill. If you’re using an alternative gas supplier, you’ll see a text box in the “Summary of Charges” section that shows the price you are paying for your natural gas compared to DTE.
Learn more about gas choice.
Take action with our tools
Our free Bill Analyzer Tool helps you understand how your home uses energy so you can make choices that could help save you money. Sign into or create your DTE online account and select the “Analyze my Bill” to get started.
DTE 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 warm and lower your energy bill at dteenergy.com/staywarm.