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Local Power Rates Flat Into August; Heat Still Drives Energy Use

Media Contact:

Wayne Scarbrough

(423) 745-4501 ext. 6002

wscarbrough@aub.org

 

July 17, 2018

 

ATHENS, Tenn. – Local electric power rates for August will be virtually unchanged compared to current July rates, changing by one one-thousandth of a penny.

 

The AUB residential power rate for August will be $0.09157 per kilowatt hour compared to July’s rate of $0.09156.

 

The power rate has two components that compose the all-up rate you pay for a kilowatt hour of energy, the base rate and the TVA fuel charge.

 

The fuel charge for August is $0.01993.  In July, it was $0.01992.   The base rate for each of those months is the same $0.07164 per kilowatt hour of energy used.

 

“The flat fuel charge is a positive for our customers in these hot summer months.  TVA’s summer base rate is the highest of the seasonal base rates, so having the fuel charge remain level helps,” said AUB’s Wayne Scarbrough.

 

He said that the recent spate of 90-degree days is showing up in customer energy use as air conditioners work to keep homes and businesses cool.

 

“We are approaching one of those cyclical times of the year when energy use peaks.  This happens every July/August based on hot days and cooling needs and every February/March when winter weather creates a big heating load.   These are the bills that give all of us that ‘there is no way’ jolt,” he said.

 

To help moderate bills during summer heat, AUB suggests the following easy steps:

 

  • Keep curtains closed where sunlight can beam into your home.  This makes a big difference.
  • Ensure doors and windows stay shut to keep your conditioned air in the home.
  • Nudge your thermostat up to 76 or even 78.  This won’t stop the heat from making your units run but it can help.
  • Use overhead fans to help circulate air, especially when nighttime temps allow you open windows.
  • Change your system filters monthly so that your cooling system runs as efficiently as possible.

 

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