To help income-eligible households struggling with higher than average electricity bills following the cold weather in December and January, we are devoting an additional $100,000 to our income-eligible assistance programs. This will help 500 more customers in need.
The extra $100,000 is on top of the $1.5 million already budgeted each year to help income-eligible customers and those who have lost their jobs. If you have lost your job and are receiving state unemployment benefits, you can receive a $200 bill credit, regardless of income.
If you need more time to pay your higher-than-average bill following the cold weather in December and January, please contact our Customer Service Department at 541-685-7000. We are happy to provide guidance on options, which may also include extended payment arrangements.
We also offer a Budget Billing Program to help balance out the seasonal high and low bills by making the monthly payments more predictable throughout the year. The program allows us to estimate an average payment based on the previous 12 months of actual usage. Read more about the Budget Billing program here.
When temperatures drop to freezing or below, heating systems have to work much harder, resulting in higher electric usage. Even if you keep your thermostat at 68 degrees all year, you may see your electric bill increase dramatically after just a few days of freezing weather.
The average temperature in Eugene between Dec. 15 and Jan. 31 was 34 degrees. There were more than 20 days during that time period when temperatures plummeted below freezing. Many heat pumps turn to backup electric resistance heating in such extreme cold in order to maintain warm temperatures indoors, and these systems can use up to three times as much electricity on the coldest days.
In addition, the increased electric usage during extremely cold weather can move you into a higher energy price category. Current prices are 5.948 cents per killowat for the first 800 kWh, and 7.435 cents above 800 kWh. We did not increase electric prices in 2017, but the combination of extreme cold temperatures, heating systems having to work harder in general to keep up with the cold, and the possibility of being moved up into the higher category could all be reasons for your higher-than-average bill.
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Mailing Address: 4200 Roosevelt Blvd., Eugene, OR 97402
Phone: 541-685-7000
Toll free: 800-841-5871
Email: eweb.answers@eweb.org
Customer service phone hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday
