DAYTON -- If you were shocked to see your electric bill double, maybe even triple, it turns out you aren't alone.
Dayton Power & Light says they've received dozens of calls from customers asking why.
They say when temperatures drop, bills rise.
"When your weather is twice as cold, your bill will more than likely be twice as high," said Judi Blair, Director of Operations.
DP&L says besides the cold temperatures you could have seen a rise in your bill because there were three extra days added to the bill cycle and generally people are home more during the holidays.
The average high temperature from December 27-31 was 30 degrees and the low temperatures averaged 22.
Homeowners with electric heat or a heat pump will see a significant usage increase during the periods of those extreme temperatures.
Heating a home accounts for half of an electric bill.
DP&L says homeowners should set their thermostat at 68 degrees or below. Every degree above that adds 3 percent or more to heat costs.
So, if your thermostat is set at 72 degrees, you will likely see a 12 percent increase in your bill.
Energy-efficient light bulbs and windows will make a huge difference in a bill as well.
DP&L crews take meter readings once a month.
They say they didn't raise rates at all. In fact, they've been frozen since 2009.
However, rates can fluctuate each month depending on riders, which is the market.
Dayton Power & Light says they've received dozens of calls from customers asking why.
They say when temperatures drop, bills rise.
"When your weather is twice as cold, your bill will more than likely be twice as high," said Judi Blair, Director of Operations.
DP&L says besides the cold temperatures you could have seen a rise in your bill because there were three extra days added to the bill cycle and generally people are home more during the holidays.
The average high temperature from December 27-31 was 30 degrees and the low temperatures averaged 22.
Homeowners with electric heat or a heat pump will see a significant usage increase during the periods of those extreme temperatures.
Heating a home accounts for half of an electric bill.
DP&L says homeowners should set their thermostat at 68 degrees or below. Every degree above that adds 3 percent or more to heat costs.
So, if your thermostat is set at 72 degrees, you will likely see a 12 percent increase in your bill.
Energy-efficient light bulbs and windows will make a huge difference in a bill as well.
DP&L crews take meter readings once a month.
They say they didn't raise rates at all. In fact, they've been frozen since 2009.
However, rates can fluctuate each month depending on riders, which is the market.
