Summer Brings Increased Electric and Water Bills for Many Utilities Customers
Posted on: May-30-2013
Fort Collins Utilities customers can expect to see higher summer electric and water bills as a result of seasonal and tiered rate structures and increased use of air conditioning and lawn watering. Utilities offers many efficiency and conservation programs, rebates and services to help customers better anticipate and manage their utility use and save money, https://www.fcgov.com/conserves.A higher electric rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) is charged in each tier during June, July and August when it is most expensive to purchase power from Platte River Power Authority, the City’s wholesale electric provider. With tiers, costs increase as electric use increases. At each tier, customers pay more per kWh for electricity. In addition to a monthly base charge of $4.75, summer residential electric rates are calculated as follows:
• First tier (up to 500 kWh) about 9 cents per kWh
• Second tier (501-1,000 kWh) about 10 cents per kWh
• Third tier (above 1,000 kWh) about 14 cents per kWh
Residential customers can use the online rates calculator at https://www.fcgov.com/residential-electric-rates to estimate electric costs based on seasonal rates and historic monthly use.
Single-family and duplex water rates have a year-round base charge and three tiers. Water costs more per gallon as use increases. Multi-family accounts do have a seasonal rate increase. The volume charge is 25 percent greater during lawn watering months (May - October).
Utilities’ Home Efficiency Audit ($60) serves as a resource to help customers determine how to conserve energy and water as well as add comfort to their homes, https://www.fcgov.com/HomeEfficiency. Another option to save water is to sign up for a free sprinkler audit, https://www.fcgov.com/sprinkler-audit.
For more information, visit https://www.fcgov.com/residential-rates, email utilities@fcgov.com, call (970) 221-6700 or TDD (970) 224-6003. Commercial rate information is available at https://www.fcgov.com/commercial-rates.
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Rene’ Evenson, Residential Accounts Coordinator
- 970.221.6394
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Did You Know?
Wearing an extra layer of clothing during the winter and lowering the thermostat a few degrees can help save money and energy.
Closing crawl space vents and covering the crawl space floor with at least 6 millimeters of plastic can reduce soil moisture.
Pre-heating your home before 5 p.m. in the winter and coasting through the on-peak hours can save money on your utility bill.