Residential Energy Usage Alerts
Did you receive an Energy Usage Alert?
Higher usage will cause higher bills, but usage is something that you can control. Energy use is measured in kWh (kilowatt hours) and makes up the largest portion of your bill. There may be other charges on your bill; for example, rental fees or a distribution charge, and these costs are the same each month. It’s the kWh that you can manage.
You may be able to make a few changes in the remaining days of your billing cycle to minimize your energy use for the month. See below for five suggestions on where to focus.
Question 1 of 5 Household activity
Have there been any recent updates in your home activity? This could include anything from having more people in your home, embracing the joy of a new baby, giving your space a makeover, or even opting for a cozy switch in your heating system.
- Every additional person means more energy consumed to heat water for dish washing, showering, clothes washing and cleaning.
- Only run your dishwasher and clothes washer when they are full, turn off the heat dry cycle on the dishwasher and wash clothes in cold water
- let’s move on and talk about the temperature.
- Ok let’s talk move on and talk about the temperature.
- Ok let’s talk about the temperature.
Question 2 of 5 Temperature
Have temperatures been colder or warmer than usual? During cold winter months it takes more energy to heat your home, and in the summer, the hot weather can cause your air conditioner to work harder.
- This may explain why your energy usage is higher due to your heating or cooling system coming on more and working longer to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. Let’s talk about your heating system next.
- Ok let’s talk about your heating system.
- Ok let’s talk about your heating system.
Question 3 of 5 Heating system
Has your heating system been properly maintained?
- okay great job, let’s move on.
- If you have heat pump or a furnace, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions and regularly clean and replace filters. Let’s move on to the next heating system question.
- If you have heat pump or a furnace, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions and regularly clean and replace filters. Let’s move on to the next heating system question.
Question 4 of 5 Heating system
Are you only heating areas that you use?
- Perfect! Let’s move on to discuss your hot water usage.
- If you have a vacant room, you can close the door and lower the thermostat to avoid using energy you don’t need. Let’s move on to discuss your hot water usage.
- If you have a vacant room, you can close the door and lower the thermostat to avoid using energy you don’t need. Let’s move on to discuss your hot water usage.
Question 5 of 5 Hot water
Do you keep track of your hot water consumption?
- You're off to a great start! By the way, did you know that the energy needed to keep your home comfy and cozy is pretty important? And guess what's the second most energy-hungry activity in your home - it's using hot water!
- Let’s look more closely at that.
Besides the energy needed to heat or cool your home, hot water use is often the second most energy intensive activity in your home.
Simple ways to reduce hot water use is to shower instead of having a bath and keep the shower to five minutes. Only run your dishwasher and clothes washer when they are full; turn off the heat dry cycle on the dishwasher and wash clothes in cold water.
- Here are some hints for you.
Besides the energy needed to heat or cool your home, hot water use is often the second most energy intensive activity in your home.
Simple ways to reduce hot water use is to shower instead of having a bath and keep the shower to five minutes. Only run your dishwasher and clothes washer when they are full; turn off the heat dry cycle on the dishwasher and wash clothes in cold water.
Check out SaveEnergyNB.ca for more efficiency hints and tips.
Still wondering why you received a usage alert?
Fill out this form and one of our Customer Care Advisors will contact you to discuss your energy consumption.
Log into your online NB Power account for detailed information about your energy usage. You can toggle between hourly and daily use to get a sense of when you’re using the most electricity.
