Experiencing higher bills?

How being home more often affects your energy consumption

These are certainly unusual times. A virus, COVID-19, that is affecting the entire world in ways we’ve never imagine. Many of us are not only staying away from our favorite places and pasttimes, but we are also working from home.

This new normal has changed how we are living and working has changed significantly. Right now, many of us are may be confined to the walls we call home. Only venturing out when absolutely necessary – for groceries, supplies, etc.

You may not give it much thought, but this can significantly change your home’s energy usage. Many people are experiencing high electric bills and increased home heating fuel usage even though this heating season and last have been fairly mild. Let’s forget right now about the snow we saw just before Halloween. The following weekend had temperatures well into the mid-70’s. For November, that’s very warm.

Being home during the day when you and your family are normally at work or school means that computers, lights, water and heat are being used more. Where you may have set back your thermostat during the day while everyone is away, you now leave it set higher and may actually turn it up. Less dining out involves more cooking and dishes at home. All of these require greater energy use than what was used in the past.

Those customers who are automatic, monitored or scheduled deliveries should take a look at their tanks more often. While our technology does a great job of predicting your consumption, there is now way it can take into account whether you’re home more often or not.

There are quite a few factors that go into our estimate of your usage. Past usage history, degree days and K-Factor. Please refer to this blog post to learn more about our calculation process.

We’ve got degree days (Wow, was it warm last winter!) and K-Factor but there is nothing in anyone’s previous usage history to account for what’s going on now. Nowhere in our automatic delivery program is there a checkbox for Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19.

This is where you come in. If you are on automatic delivery and have been practicing the #stayhome routine, you are undoubtedly using more energy – and perhaps blowing up the internet. Please check your propane gas and fuel oil gauges regularly. Should you notice your propane gas tank getting down towards 30% or your oil tank near ¼ give us a call.

This applies even more to customers who have moved into their second homes. Rather than have you run out because we don’t know you’re there, check your tank. Let’s #stayhomestaysafe and also let CES know when your tank is getting low. Call us at 800-874-1975 to order heating fuel.

 If you have questions about your service or products we offer, please email info@combinedenergyservices.com Do not leave a service or product question in the comments.