Why Is My BGE Bill So High?

High Summer BGE Bill

It’s no secret that BGE bills are very high this summer. BGE customers are paying higher rates than most recent years and it may get even worse. But shopping for better electric rates isn’t the only way to cut back on energy costs. Let’s figure out why your BGE bill is so high and what you can do about it.

Why Electricity Bills are High

No one can deny that MD is experiencing a hotter that normal summer. And this leads to many families cranking up their AC’s earlier in the year for longer periods of time. And according to a 2018 EIA report, Maryland AC costs amount to about 12% of energy use. On top of this, Reuters explains that the War in Ukraine is also partially to blame. Russia has been the world’s largest suppliers of natural gas. And sanctions against them have led to spikes in global pricing and demand. Which is a problem for the US since natural gas is the source for about 38% of our electricity generation.

Ways To Lower Your BGE Bill

Thankfully, smart energy strategies can add up to dramatic savings on your high MD bills. These include:

• Open Your Windows on Cool Nights
  Keep an eye out for the evening temperature. If it’s a cool evening and rain isn’t expected, you can shut off the AC as you sleep. As an added bonus, a 2017 Netherlands study suggests opening doors and windows improves ventilation, which helps improve air quality.
• Set Back your Thermostat
  Having a cool house is nice, but does it have to be cold all day long? Because you could save up to 10% a year by turning back your thermostat 7 to 8 degrees for 8 hours of the day. And it’s even easier when you have a programmable or smart thermostat. Just set it to turn back when no one’s in the house or while you sleep.
• Check and replace HVAC filters
  HVAC systems work best with clean filters. In fact, The Department of Energy reports that clean air filters let AC units use 5% to 15% less energy. Most homes with pets should consider checking filters every 3 – 4 months. If you live alone and you don’t smoke, you can usually get away with checking every 6 months.
• Replace Your AC Unit
  If you have an older AC unit, then you could be paying a lot more than you need to. According to the Department of Energy, energy-efficient central AC units could save anywhere from $541 to over $2,000 in energy costs compared to standard models. Because of the upfront cost, this is best as a long-term investment.

Managing Your BGE Bill

There are a lot of factors causing higher than normal BGE bills this year. But there are easy short and long-term solutions that can help you save money and cut back on energy waste. Because nothing’s cooler than saving money while being comfortable.

You can keep up with the news that affects your bills at https://www.mdenergyratings.com. You can also shop for great plans and find ways to save money on lower electricity rates.