After an extremely warm summer that saw a spike in electric bills, North Jersey residents are seeing the same problem at the other end of the spectrum as the region experiences a bout of frigid winter weather.
Tiffanie Fisher, a councilwoman in Hoboken’s 2nd Ward, noted that she and several other city residents received “exceptionally high” bills from PSE&G earlier this month. Specifically, she said, her bill was twice the rate of last month despite her having been away for half the pay period.
The issue is not limited to North Jersey. The National Energy Assistance Directors Association, an organization representing administrators of federal utility aid to low-income residences, reported last month that the average price of home heating this winter is expected to rise 8.7%. That increase, from $866 last year to $941, is largely due to cold weather throughout the Northeast and Midwest.
The year-over-year jump is even more significant for homes heated by electricity, with a 14.2% rise from $1,040 to $1,189, reported the association. It attributed the difference to the high cost of maintaining and upgrading the electrical grid, along with increased consumption because of colder temperatures than last winter.
How to save on your electric bill in winter
While utility rates are on the rise, residents can take measures to save energy while still staying warm in their homes. Below are several simple tips from FirstEnergy Corp. (the parent company of Jersey Central Power & Light) and New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program.
Reverse ceiling fan direction: In the winter months, running fans clockwise at a low speed will draw cool air toward the ceiling and force warm air down. This can warm up the area without an adjustment of the thermostat.Know when to open and close blinds: On sunny winter days, opening blinds can heat the indoor space by allowing light to shine through. Heat is lost through windows, so closing the blinds at night can provide some insulation.Use cold water for laundry: Heating water uses about 90% of the energy required to operate a washer, so switching from a hot temperature setting to a warm or cold cycle can cut energy use by at least half. Washing in cold water will generally clean effectively unless you have clothes with oily stains.Check various home appliances: Close the fireplace damper when it’s not in use to prevent cold air from entering the home. Wrap exposed pipes in insulation or layers of newspaper. Seal any leaks with caulk or weather stripping to keep out cold air.
