Although temperatures in our region are finally warming a bit after a week of bitter cold, the groundhog did see its shadow and we're in for six more weeks of winter. That may have you wondering how winter affects your home's energy use.
If your electric bill looks different in the winter months, you’re not alone. It doesn’t mean you did anything wrong, and it doesn’t reflect any changes to your REC electric rates. Extreme cold, like we’ve had in December and January, changes how both homes and the electric system operate, even when daily routines stay the same.
Extreme Cold Raises the Baseline for Energy Use
In severe cold, your home shifts into a different operating mode. The gap between indoor and outdoor temperatures becomes extreme, and systems that keep your home safe and livable must work more often. Heating rooms, warming water and even everyday routines like laundry require more energy in winter.
Even if your habits don’t change, winter raises the baseline. The environment itself increases how much work your home must do, which means it needs more electricity simply to function.
How Heat Loss and Longer Run Times Add Up
Homes constantly lose heat through walls, windows and doors. During extreme cold, that heat escapes faster. To maintain the same indoor temperature, heating systems must run longer, sometimes nearly nonstop, just to keep up.
What might be a few minutes of run time on a mild winter day can become near-constant operation during a cold snap. That extra run time adds up hour by hour, day by day, increasing overall energy use.
Learn More and Get Support
REC is committed to helping members understand how weather, energy demand and pricing are connected. We also offer tools and resources to help you manage energy use and understand your bill, including:
• Energy-saving tips
• Budget billing options
• Payment assistance programs
• Personalized usage insights through your REC account
Learn more at: myrec.coop/heretohelp
Winter simply changes how the system works. Our goal is to provide clear, practical information so you can make informed choices throughout the season.
