We want to help you make the most of your energy usage, understand your electric bill, and find ways to save. Whether you’re a new member or have been with us for years, understanding your bill can sometimes be confusing. This page will break down the components of your electric bill and provide tips to help you manage your energy usage more effectively.
Visual Breakdown: How to Read Your MVEA Bill
To help make your MVEA electric bill clearer, we’ve created a visual breakdown PDF that illustrates each component of your bill in an easy-to-understand format. This resource is designed to guide you through the details of your monthly charges, making it easier for you to understand what you’re being billed for and how to manage your energy usage effectively.
How to Read Your Bill (PDF)
Understanding the Energy Usage and Demand Components of Your Bill
Your electric bill is made up of several components, but the two primary elements impacting your total charge are Energy Usage and Energy Demand. These components work together to determine how much you owe each month. Below is a breakdown of these key areas and information on how you can monitor them to take control of your energy costs.
Energy Usage (kWh)
Energy usage refers to the total amount of electricity consumed during a billing period, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This is the primary charge on your bill and represents the energy you’ve used to power everything in your home—from lights and appliances to heating and cooling systems.
- How It’s Calculated: Each appliance in your home has a specific energy consumption rate, and the total energy usage is calculated based on how long these appliances run during the billing period. The more electricity your home uses, the higher your bill will be.
- How to Monitor Usage: You don’t have to wait until your monthly bill arrives to check your energy usage. Members can track their energy consumption at any time through SmartHub—our online and mobile platform. By logging into SmartHub on your desktop or downloading the SmartHub app, you can view real-time data on your energy usage, including historical trends, daily, weekly, and monthly usage. This can help you understand patterns in your consumption, identify potential areas for savings, and make informed decisions about how and when to use energy.
What is Energy Demand and What Contributes to It?
Energy demand is a crucial part of your electric bill and refers to the maximum amount of electricity your household uses at any given moment during a billing period. While Energy Usage measures the total amount of electricity consumed over time, Energy Demand focuses on how much electricity is used at the peak or highest point of demand. It’s essentially the “instantaneous” or “peak” consumption.
Understanding Energy Demand:
- What It Represents: Energy demand is measured in kilowatts (kW) and is associated with the highest amount of electricity being used simultaneously during the billing cycle. Unlike energy usage, which accumulates over time, demand is about the rate of electricity consumption at any given moment.