Want to lower your growing energy bills?

You may have opened your electric bill last month and found that it was higher than expected. Dakota Electric understands many members are feeling the crunch of increasing energy bills and would like to help by answering some questions.

Why did my bill increase?
Starting in January, members' bills reflected increasing power costs from our wholesale power supplier, Great River Energy. The increase was reflected in the RTA (Resource and Tax Adjustment), which is a mechanism for Dakota Electric to adjust prices according to changes in wholesale power costs, property and real estate tax and conservation spending, compared to the tariffed rate. In 2008, residential members' RTA charge is an additional $.0122 per kilowatt hour. The exact RTA charge will vary by rate class and commercial and industrial accounts are encouraged to contact Dakota Electric.

In 2008, the price of off-peak electricity also increased. The off-peak credit on participants' bills reflects this rate change and despite increases, off-peak rates remain a great cost-saver for members.

What can I do to reduce the impact?
Increases will cause the average monthly electric bill to increase $7. Following are some easy ways to offset the increase:

• Sign up for Cycled Air Conditioning® and save $30 each summer for an average of $2.50 a month.
• Switch your furnace fan from on to automatic and save an average of $13 per month.
• Replace five 75-watt incandescent lights bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs and save $2.45 each month.
• Run a box fan instead of a dehumidifier in your lower level and save $15 a month.
• Get more energy tips

Compact fluorescent bulb safety and disposal
Fluorescent lamps contain small amounts of mercury that are harmful to the environment. Please read these important CFL disposal instructions.

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