Why is my bill so high?

A number of factors go into determining your electric bill. Arcadia does not determine how much your utility charges you each month but as your energy advocates we try to help you make sense of your utility bills.  

Increased Electric and Gas Usage

The first thing thing to check for after receiving a higher than normal bill is increased usage. Changes in weather, guests, new appliances can all lead to higher usage and a higher bill. Even if your thermostat is set to the same temperature year round changes in temperature mean heaters or air conditioner need to work harder to keep your home consistent. If you are concerned about your energy usage, a home efficiency audit can help you find ways to make your home more efficient. You can always track your electric usage on your Arcadia Dashboard to see if your electric usage has increased.

If you believe your meter has been misread, please contact your utility directly to have them confirm and adjust then contact us at support@arcadia.com

Time of the year

During seasons with more energy demand utilities and suppliers often raise rates due to the spike in demand for energy. Particularly winter and summer months, you could see your bill increase even if your energy usage has not changed.

Time of day

Some utilities have a time of use plan, if you use energy at peak hours the rate per kWh may be higher than at another time of day. You can often find this information on your utility statement or email our Member Experience team and we can help you find this information. 

How Can I lower my bill?

Lower your usage

There are a number of ways to lower your usage, even if you rent. Be sure to read our blog post The ultimate guide to lower electric bills. 

Adjust when you use energy

Find if your utility has a time of use charge and what times of day are the least expensive to use energy. Preform high energy tasks and chore such as running the dishwasher and running laundry when it's least expensive. 

Take advantage of Arcadia's saving programs

Arcadia offers a number of energy and cost saving programs such as Smart Rate and Community Solar. Availability does depend on location and your utility.