How can I reduce my electric bill?
Just a few small changes in your household routines can add up to big annual savings on
your utility bills. Some suggestions include:
- Switch to fluorescent bulbs for areas of constant use, such as the kitchen.
- Turn off all small electrical equipment, such as radios, turntables, VCRs or TVs when
not in use.
- Keep lamps and fixtures clean. Dirt can significantly reduce light output.
- Turn off the lights when leaving an empty room.
- Close the damper when the fireplace is not in use.
- If your furnace or air conditioner is over 10 years old, consider replacing it with an
energy-efficient heat pump.
- To increase your heating and cooling system efficiency, replace system filters monthly.
Do not block registers and return vents with furniture or drapes.
- During the summer months, set your thermostat at the highest comfortable setting.
- Use your microwave or countertop appliances for cooking instead of your stove or
oven.
- For long-term comfort, make sure your home is properly insulated. Progress Energy
recommends R-30 insulation for ceilings, R-19 for floors and R-16 for outside walls.
How can I get a billing history for my account?
With online account access, you are one click away from instant access to your current
and historical billing information. Login to My
Account online.
What is Progress Energy's Time-of-Use (TOU) rate?
Progress Energy replaces your present meter with a special meter that tells how much
energy you use and when you use it. You reduce your bill by shifting your electric use to
off-peak periods and staggering the use of major appliances (such as your electric water
heater, dishwasher and dryer) during on-peak hours. You are charged a lower rate for
electricity used during off-peak periods. The times and length of on-peak hours differ for
residential and nonresidential customers and by season. The on-peak hours are those hours
during weekdays (Monday - Friday), as follows:
- Residential On-Peak Hours (Winter):
October 1 - March 31, 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Residential On-Peak Hours (Summer):
April 1 - September 30, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- NonResidential On-Peak Hours (Winter):
October 1 - March 31, 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- NonResidential On-Peak Hours (Summer):
April 1 - September 30, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
All other times are off-peak including Saturdays and Sundays. The following holidays
are also considered off-peak periods: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day (Thurs. & Fri.), and Christmas Day. If
the holiday falls on a Saturday, the previous Friday is off-peak. If the holiday falls on
a Sunday, the following Monday is off-peak.
How do I read my meter?
Your meter measures the amount of electricity you use in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Each
dial on the meter represents one digit in the total number of kilowatt-hours you've used
since the last time your meter was read.
Most meters have five dials with 10 numbers and a pointer that turns when electricity
is being used. Each pointer moves in the opposite direction of the preceding dial –
either clockwise or counterclockwise.
Sample
The correct reading is 34945
Here are some simple rules for reading your meter:
- Read and record meter readings from right to left.
- Record the smaller number when the pointer is between numbers. However, if the pointer
is between 9 and 0, use 9 as the lower number.
- If the pointer is directly on a number, the dial to the right will determine its
reading. If the pointer on the right has passed zero, record the number the pointer is
directly on. If the pointer on the right is not past zero, record the next lowest number
on the dial you're reading.
- If you read your meter one month later, simply subtract the previous month's reading to
determine the number of kilowatt-hours you've used in one month.
How do I read my Time-of-Use (TOU) meter?
The TOU meter has five dials, which record the total energy (kilowatt-hours) used, just
as your regular electric meter did. However, located below the dials is a TOU display
register. This register will normally be lighted during daylight hours and off at night.
When lighted, the display register will run continuously through a sequence of the display
items. Register items 04 through 09 record the current month readings.
- 04 Total kilowatt hours (kWh)
- 05 On-Peak kWh
- 06 On-Peak kW
- 08 Off-Peak kWh
- 09 Off-Peak kW
Progress Energy uses a variety of meters developed by different companies. Yours may
look different from your neighbor's, but the functions will be the same.
What is demand?
Demand is a measurement of the rate of electricity consumption for all of your appliances, lighting and other equipment which operates at the same time measured over a 15-minute period.
What are the Progress Energy rate charges and how can I get a copy of my rate schedule?
Progress Energy rates are available to customers in a variety of classes of service.
For information, please review Electric
Rates.
|
