COLUMBUS – AEP Ohio is telling customers to brace themselves for higher bills this summer.
The utility says a combination of higher energy use during the summer and higher generation supply prices could lead to large increases in customer bills beginning in June.
A typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month can expect an increase of about 28% in a typical bill, from about $155 currently to about $198.
AEP officials say the rate increase will remain in effect until May of 2024.
Follow these tips to keep summer cooling bills lower:
- Close blinds and curtains to keep the sun out and cool air inside.
- Avoid using appliances that produce heat, like ovens and dryers, when it’s hot outside.
- Weatherstrip doors and caulk windows to prevent leaks.
- Use your ceiling fan and set it to rotate counterclockwise so that it pushes cool air down.
- Change the filter on your AC system to lower the appliance’s energy use by 5 to 15%.
- Adjust your thermostat a few degrees higher while you’re away or asleep.
Source: AEP Ohio
“Customers who are struggling financially may qualify for assistance programs or payment plans. Our team is here to help connect customers with programs and resources and we encourage them to reach out if they need assistance,” Marc Reitter, AEP Ohio president and chief operating officer.
For more information, visit AEP’s website or call 800-672-2231.
The price of a kilowatt-hour of electricity in Ohio is determined by a Standard Service Offer auction that sets the cost of generating the electricity provided to customers who do not choose an alternate electric generation supplier.
The auction is overseen by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and state law requires AEP Ohio to pass the cost on to consumers with no profit, Reitter said.
AEP Ohio serves approximately 1.6 million customers across much of the state.