Requirement 8 of 11
Electric Bill and Conservation
Read an electric meter and bill, calculate power used and cost, identify fees, and discuss ways to conserve energy.
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Checklist
- 8a Read a meter and determine total power used and cost since the billNot complete
- 8b Explain other charges on the bill such as taxes or feesNot complete
- 8c Discuss five ways your family can conserve energyNot complete
Reading electricity use
Use the meter or bill to find how much energy was used and what it cost.
What to look for on the bill
- Total kilowatt-hours used.
- Billing period and rate information.
- How the total cost connects to the amount of energy used.
- The account may show previous and current meter readings, total usage during the billing cycle, and the price charged per kilowatt-hour.
How to talk through the math
- A kilowatt-hour means using 1,000 watts for one hour.
- If the bill shows how many kilowatt-hours were used and the price per kilowatt-hour, you can estimate the energy charge by multiplying them.
- The total bill may be higher than the basic energy charge because utilities often include delivery charges and other fees.
What a meter is telling you
- An electric meter measures how much electrical energy the home has used over time.
- The difference between an older reading and a newer reading shows how much energy was used during that period.
- Your counselor will want to hear that the bill measures energy use over time, not just how much power is being used at one moment.
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Taxes and fees
Be ready to explain the extra charges that are not the basic energy charge.
Common extra charges
- Taxes, service fees, delivery charges, fuel adjustment fees, or local utility charges.
- Some bills separate the cost of generating power from the cost of delivering it through power lines.
- There may also be franchise fees, regulatory fees, environmental charges, or minimum service charges depending on the utility.
How to explain them
- Taxes are charges required by local or state government.
- Delivery or distribution charges help pay for poles, wires, substations, maintenance, and repairs.
- Service fees help cover the cost of keeping the account active and the system available even when little power is used.
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Energy conservation ideas
Discuss five realistic ways to use less electricity at home.
Possible examples
- Turn off unused lights and electronics.
- Use LED bulbs.
- Adjust thermostat settings wisely.
- Unplug idle chargers or use smart power strips.
- Seal drafts and improve insulation where possible.
- Run dishwashers and laundry only with fuller loads when practical.
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
- Use ceiling fans wisely to support heating or cooling comfort.
Good family discussion points
- Which appliances use the most electricity in your home.
- Which changes are easy habits and which changes may need money or planning.
- How energy conservation can save money and also reduce strain on the power system.
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