What factors influence electricity use?
Several factors can influence your monthly electric use. These factors can be
measured by WPS, and we
summarize them on your monthly bill.
- Billing days
- WPS makes every effort
to read your meter once a month. The number of days between the monthly meter readings may vary
slightly — it won't be exactly 30 or 31 days each time. Your bill shows
the number of billing days included and how that compares with the same month
last year. If fewer than 26 days or more than 35 days are included between
meter reads, your bill is prorated to reflect the length of the billing
period.
- Average daily temperature
- Weather plays a significant role in
how much energy you use. During a cold winter when more heating is required,
energy use is higher. During a mild winter, energy use is typically lower. The
average daily temperature shown on your bill compares this month with the same month
last year.
- Cooling degree days
- A measure of the need for air conditioning (cooling) based on temperature. Cooling
degree days are calculated by subtracting 65 degrees Fahrenheit from the average daily
temperature.
- Heating degree days
- A measure of the need for heating based on temperature. Heating degree days are
calculated by subtracting the average daily temperature from 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Percent warmer or cooler
- Your bill shows what percentage warmer or
cooler it was this month compared with the same month last year. This
percentage is calculated based on the number of degree days this year compared
with last year.
- kWh used and average kWh/day
- Kilowatt-hours (kWh) are a measure
of how much electricity you've used. Your bill shows how many kilowatt-hours
of electricity you used this year compared with last year — and the
average number of kilowatt-hours used each day.
