DWP Summer Bill Announcement
Summer is just around the corner, so here are some important points to keep in mind as the temperature starts to climb:
Summer bills can go up due to higher usage
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Air conditioners tend to be the biggest energy users in the home. Air conditioner usage is at its highest during the hottest periods of the year, especially during a prolonged heat wave.
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Other appliances can use more electricity when they operate in a hotter environment. For example, a second refrigerator, which is typically older and is sometimes found in the garage or in the back yard, can use 2-3 times the energy of a newer generation model.
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Home energy usage is also higher when everyone in the family is home, especially during the summer when school is not is session. In addition to air conditioners, appliances and home entertainment energy usage is also at its highest during the summer.
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Water usage is also at its highest during the hottest periods of the year. Landscaping is the biggest water user in the home, along with water evaporation for those who own swimming pools, especially when the pool does not have a solar cover.
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The combination of higher usage for electricity and higher usage for water results in higher bills, so summer bills are typically the highest of the year.
Summer bills can also increase due to seasonal rate adjustments
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Rate factors are set by ordinance, and all rate factors represent costs incurred by DWP to provide electric and water service for all of its customers.
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DWP’s overall electric costs increase during the summer because city-wide air conditioner usage is at its highest during the hottest time of the year. Those overall costs then decrease during the cooler periods of the year.
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The result: some rate factors are adjusted slightly higher during the summer, and slightly lower during the rest of the year.
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During the summer, the combination of much higher usage and slightly higher rates can result in higher bills.
Summer bills can still be manageable by conserving and limiting higher usage
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Set the thermostat at 78º. Air conditioner usage can be as much as 5% higher for every degree that it is set lower.
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Keep air moving in the home. The usage of portable or ceiling fans, especially when air conditioning is not available, keeps everyone in the home as comfortable as possible.
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As much as possible, limit the amount of sunlight that enters the home. Keep curtains and shades closed, and consider shading options such as window film.
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Limit outdoor watering as much as possible. Most lawns, plants and shrubs do not need to be watered every day.
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Water early in the morning or late in the evening to limit evaporation.
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Many additional simple and useful conservation measures can be found on Savings Tips