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An early season heat wave in June caused air conditioners to work overtime to beat the heat and dry lawns to require more watering. There’s no question – it’s been hot! Normal temperatures in June are in the mid-80s, according to the National Weather Service. In June, the area’s temperatures averaged six degrees above normal. There were 16 days with daytime highs in the 90’s and five days in the upper 80s. And, the high humidity made it feel even hotter.

GUC projects June electric usage to be approximately 164,000,000 kWh, which is high, but still slightly less than the same time last year and well below the record of 180,475,872 kWh set in August 2010.

Customers used an average of about 14 million gallons of water a day (mgd), which is higher than the 13 mgd typical June average. Rainfall amounts play a role in how much water is used. Parts of Pitt County continue to be in Severe Drought conditions, and we had less than an inch of rain. 

Despite the heat, GUC had no problem meeting the demand. Fortunately, we have the facilities and production capacity in place to provide service to customers when they need it. 

High temperatures and humidity can account for high energy and water usage, and that can mean higher utility bills. The outside temperatures force even the most energy-efficient homes to consume more power for cooling and thirsty lawns soak up more water from irrigation systems. Using energy and water wisely is critical, especially when temperatures soar.  

Depending upon how air conditioning is used or lawns are watered, customers could see a significant increase in their utility bill. How much is hard to say. It depends upon billing cycles and thermostat habits. 

Bills vary because of difference lifestyles, the age and capacity of your air conditioning unit, the condition of your ducts, the size of your home, air “leaks”, where you set your thermostat, etc. Even a two or three degree difference in the thermostat setting can make a dramatic difference in the amount of energy used.  

Here are some tips to help decrease electric and water usage in hot weather, and lower your bill:    

• Set your thermostat for 78 degrees. If you set your thermostat below 78, you’ll add around 3% to 5% per degree to your cooling costs. Setting above 78 saves around 3% to 5% per degree.
• To be comfortable at higher temperature settings, use fans along with your air conditioning. A typical ceiling fan or box fan uses around a penny an hour to operate.
• Replace or clean filters monthly. Clogged, dirty filters block normal airflow and reduce a system's efficiency significantly.
• Don't place lamps or TV sets near your air conditioner thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances and causes the air conditioning to run longer than necessary, using more energy.
• Check for duct leakage in the attic. It could be allowing 120 degree attic air into your system, making your air conditioning work even harder.
• Limit vehicle washing. Use a hose nozzle and turn off the water when washing your car and save more than one hundred gallons of water. Try to wash your car on the lawn and not the pavement so excess water can return to the ground and not evaporate. 
• Don't use a hose to clean sidewalks and driveways. Use a broom and save up to 80 gallons of water every time.

To help minimize electric bills, GUC offers the Beat-the-Peak Program. “By reducing peaks, which occur when all of our customers use the greatest amount of electricity, we can hold down the cost of wholesale power we purchase,” said Roger Jones, Director of Electric Systems. “If customers have an electric water heater, central air conditioning unit or heat pump, they can save up to $70 a year by participating in this voluntary program. Call 551-1583 for further information.”

For additional energy tips, click here, or call Energy Services at 551-1525.