Get Ready For Bigger Power Bills: Gulf Power, EREC Set Demand Records In Cold Weather

January 29, 2018

Gulf Power and Escambia River Electric Cooperative are reporting record energy demands during our recent arctic blast.

Weather plays the biggest role in the amount of energy customers use and how it impacts their power bill, according to Gulf Power. Customers typically see their highest bills after the hottest months of the summer and coldest of the winter.
With the rounds of Artic blasts tumbling temperatures into the teens and 20s across Northwest Florida this month, Gulf Power and EREC experienced the highest energy demand ever from customers trying to stay warm.

The severe winter weather experience in January resulted in Gulf Power setting an all-time high system peak demand of 2,817 megawatts on January 18, compared to an expected system peak demand of 2,202 megawatts under more typical weather conditions. This winter’s peak is 28 percent higher than forecasted and surpasses the all-time peak of 2,694 megawatts in January of 2014.

At 6:30 a.m. on January 18, EREC experienced a peak demand of 63.04 megawatts, which was about 24 percent higher than forecasted, according to Nick Jackson, EREC spokesperson.

“What this means is our customers should prepare for higher than normal power bills,” said Kimberly Blair, Gulf Power spokesperson. That thought was echoed by Jackson.

“It’s going to mean higher bills for our members,” he said.

Gulf Power company offers a budget billing program. With budget billing, pay about the same amount each month with their bill averaged out based on their previous 12 months’ electrical usage. That eliminates the drastic spikes from extreme weather events.

An immediate fix to avoid higher bills – get in the habit of leaving your thermostat at a constant temperature, Blair said.  “Almost half of the energy in your home goes to heating and cooling. In the winter, set it at 68 degrees and leave it. For every degree above 68 you set your thermostat, you’ll pay 10 percent more in heating costs.”

For those who may struggle to the pay their higher bill, the Salvation Army has a program called Project SHARE those that need help with energy bills, repairs to heating and air-conditioning equipment, and other energy-related needs. The program assists the elderly, the disabled, the sick and others who are experiencing financial hardship. Project SHARE is available to help Gulf Power or EREC customers.

Other community agencies also offer help with utility payments.

Both utilities companies encourage proactive actions now to help alleviate high bills later including energy checkups, programmable thermostats, finding and sealing leaks, maintaining heating systems and using fluorescent or LED lighting. Also, the use of an electric blanket at night is recommended — it’s more economical than heating the entire house all night long.

Here is a full list of where to get help paying an electric bill. The availability of help from a listed agency may depend on the customer’s utility company.

Escambia County

*   United Ministries (only provides assistance to families w/children) 257 E Lee St., Pensacola, 850-433-2333
*   Catholic Social Services, 222 E Government St., Pensacola, 850-436-6425
*   Community Action Program (Tuesdays 8:15-9:15 am), 1308 W Garden St., Pensacola, 850-607-2088
*   First Call For Help, 1800 N Palafox St, Pensacola, 850-595-5905
*   Salvation Army, 1501 North Q St., Pensacola, 850-432-1501
*   First Baptist Church, 850-438-8907
*   Olive Baptist Church. 850-473-4466

Santa Rosa County

*   Interfaith Ministries — Santa Rosa County residents, Gulf Breeze, Navarre, Milton, 850-934-8385
*   We Care Ministries (United Methodist Church — Santa Rosa County residents, Navarre) 850-939-1005
*   Family Resource Center, 850-626-2054
*   Salvation Army, Santa Rosa County, 850-623-4099
*   Tri County Community Council, 6607 Elva St., 850-981-0036

Comments

13 Responses to “Get Ready For Bigger Power Bills: Gulf Power, EREC Set Demand Records In Cold Weather”

  1. Don't support GP on January 31st, 2018 9:06 am

    I think it’s real funny how Gulf Power can shut down all our local offices and fire quiet a bit of employees but keeps jacking their prices up

  2. ROBERT on January 31st, 2018 4:11 am

    We were set at 65*..if we got cold we put on a sweater …we did ok and saved money.I know people who set at 70 and ran around the house dressed for summer…I have no sympathy for their high bills…

  3. Jane on January 30th, 2018 1:43 pm

    Your bill will reflect how much energy you used and is not connected to what your neighbor used or didn’t use. GP bills may be higher because of an increase in how much they had to pay for coal or whatever source used to provide electricity for the community during that month. They pass this increase on to the customer, making a GP bill higher than usual.

  4. Sam on January 30th, 2018 11:47 am

    @Margielu my Dec 14-Jan 16 bill is $124 and that’s for an all electric 2100sqft house.Sounds reasonable to me. All the careless ppl are being hit by a 400-600 bill because they thought it’s smart to have your heat setup at 70+ degrees when it’s under 30 outside lol.

  5. Margielu on January 30th, 2018 7:06 am

    We have our heater set on 66 F. Why should we be charged more now than those who cranked theirs up to 75? We used sweaters and warm clothing, while others may have enjoyed using mor energy.

    Why raise rates for all? We were miserly with our usage in sub-freezing weather. Why punish us all for those who refused to conserve?

  6. BT on January 29th, 2018 4:45 pm

    That’s gonna sting. The December bill was pretty big. Still, I’d rather pay more than be cold.

  7. anne 1of2 on January 29th, 2018 4:26 pm

    Gulf Power gets the grocery money in Jan & Feb if needed. The kitchen is still stocked from Christmas. It’s called winter, it is cold.

  8. Jarrid on January 29th, 2018 2:26 pm

    LOL my bill will not be as high as you think, I use gas for heat so only my fan does the work when the heater is on…..

  9. Peggy Hill on January 29th, 2018 11:41 am

    I like charcoal grills Hank. I’m sorry, but it tastes better. Mucho better!

  10. Hank Hill on January 29th, 2018 8:59 am

    I like propane, and propane accessories. Nothing like a gas fireplace to warm your soul.

  11. Century on January 29th, 2018 8:56 am

    Why can’t there be one in Century for people to check it out? It’s hard for some people to get to other places some don’t have a way have to find someone take them places. And some might have to miss a days work and won’t be able still get the help having to drive to Pensacola.

  12. retired on January 29th, 2018 7:24 am

    YOU USED IT PAY FOR IT

  13. Jason on January 29th, 2018 1:48 am

    I can monitor my daily electric usage and while I saw an slight uptick in usage, it wont be overwhelming for me. What is my greatest concern is how big the bill will be from ESP for the natural gas. Our area is billed at one of the highest rates in the nation for natural gas as the City of Pensacola seeks to squeeze every penny out of a consumers bank account.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News