RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WGNS News) - As a severe heatwave continues to grip the region, area residents may experience a slight shock when opening their electric bills. Some customers have taken to social media to complain, suggesting their bills have doubled or tripled because of a summer rate change... But Amy Byers, Public Relations Coordinator at Middle Tennessee Electric, says that rates have not been changed at all. Instead, the amount of electricity being used has increased.
Earlier this week, Byers confirmed that electric rates have not gone up in Rutherford County, nor have they increased for any of the 750,000 people that MTE serves. However, the amount of electricity area residents are using to cool their homes has increased due to the extreme heat being felt all across the Middle Tennessee area. Byers said...
To clarify, the actual cause behind the rising energy costs is the heat...
When it is hot outside, as we've seen in recent days with a weeklong heat advisory issued by the National Weather Service, there are things you can do to offset the expenses tied to keeping cool. One of the best ways you can lower energy costs is to reduce how hard your air conditioner is working. Set ceiling fans to run counterclockwise for a cooling breeze and turn them off when rooms are empty, keep the thermostat slightly warmer - especially when you are away - and use a programmable thermostat when possible... Closing blinds or drapes during the day, particularly on south - and west-facing windows, can block heat from the sun. You can also keep indoor temperatures down by using a microwave or slow cooker instead of a conventional oven, or by cooking outdoors.
Customers can also choose to be billed under the MTE levelized billing program, which takes a rough average of your overall usage throughout the year, thus spreading out your monthly energy expenses. Levelized billing helps to provide a more consistent rate that gives customers a predictable monthly amount to pay throughout the year.
The bottom line is that the increased bills are a direct result of increased energy usage, not a change in utility rates. When the heat index pushes past 100 degrees, air conditioning units must run continuously to maintain the same comfortable indoor climate that you may have been accustom to, inevitably leading to higher electricity consumption.
On a positive note, Byers reassured customers that utility usage - and corresponding bills - will naturally decrease as the region enters the "shoulder months" of September and October, bringing milder weather and lower demand for air conditioning.
NEED HELP? If you are having trouble paying a higher than normal electric bill, reach out to MTE by calling 877-777-9020.
TIPS: For tips on saving money during the hot months, visit MTE.com You can also view your actual month-to-month usage by downloading the free MY MTE app on your smart phone.
