Local Power Rates Up Slightly In January

Media Contact:

Wayne Scarbrough

(423) 745-4501 ext. 6002

wscarbrough@aub.org

December 17, 2018

ATHENS, Tenn. – Local electric power rates will move up in January on higher TVA fuel costs compared to December.

The AUB residential power rate for January will be $0.09258 per kilowatt hour compared to December’s rate of $0.09169.  As a result, the average household using about 1,200 kilowatt hours of energy will pay about a dollar more versus last month.

TVA’s winter period runs December through March. The base rate of $0.07123 cents per kilowatt hour will be the same each of those months.  The fuel cost adder for January is $0.02135, which is added to the base rate to determine the full monthly per kilowatt hour charge.

“With regional temperatures cooling and becoming more seasonal, most customers’ energy use will be on the high side of their average for the quarter, so we hope that fuel costs stay steady and keep the overall rate steady as well,” said AUB’s Wayne Scarbrough.

To keep winter bills in check, AUB advises taking simple steps such as installing weather stripping around doors and windows, keeping doors and windows shut, letting in the sun’s warmth when possible to take advantage of solar gain in your home, and setting your thermostat on 68 or 70.

AUB also recommends that you change your heating system’s air filters monthly and have your unit tuned up by a local professional annually.

“It is worth it in the short and long term, because a well maintained unit with clean filters will last longer, run more efficiently and use less energy correspondingly, lowering your AUB bill as a result,” Scarbrough said.

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