Did you know that the rate structure for your electricity usage recently changed? Idaho Power announced last week that their residential rates increased an average of 1.61%. However, the bigger news is that rates are now tiered and priced by usage. If you use less than 800 kWh (kilowatt hours) your rates stay at a low 5.58 cents per kWh September through May and 5.78 cents per kWh during the summer months. However, if you use more than 800 kWh but less than 2,000 kWh they raise to 6.2 cents and 6.59 cents respectively. If you can hang meat in you home in the summer and bake a cake in there during the winter and use over 2,000 kWh you rates will be much higher – 7.13 cents and 8.17 cents per kWh.
This new structure may help reduce a lot of people’s energy use. If you are close to one of the tiers, say around 850 kWh, you may start figuring out how to reduce the amount of energy you use in order to take advantage of the lower rates.
Curious about how to lower your energy usage? Check out the tips below or contact us – we’re EcoBrokers, remember?
- Set your thermostat down one degree and save two to three percent on your heating or cooling bill, depending on the season.
- Turn off lights not in use.
- Participate in an Idaho Power energy efficiency program.
- Wash full loads of laundry and dishes, and use water and energy-saving settings.
- Use plug strips for computers and video equipment and shut off when not in use.
- Buy compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs for light fixtures you use more than two hours a day. They use 75 percent less energy!
- Weather-strip windows and doors.
- Regularly clean or replace the air filter in your furnace.
