Imagine my shock when I recently received two of the highest electricity bills in my lifetime. On June 27th, my first bill was a staggering $801.81, which opened my eyes. The most recent bill, $685.85, only added to my concern.
As a senior citizen living on a fixed income, I am acutely aware of the financial pressures from high home insurance, increasingly higher property taxes without adequate reductions in school taxes for seniors, and home maintenance fees that increase yearly.
Living on a fixed income, every dollar in my pocket feels more precious than ever. I keep hoping our school board will relieve all senior citizens of school taxes, but I’ve seen no signs of this becoming a reality. The struggle for seniors is accurate, and it’s a daily battle to make ends meet.
Georgia Power has a discount rate plan for seniors who qualify; however, the savings are so small that it falls under my personal cost-benefit category of “not worth my time.” Please review that program and tell me whether I am right or wrong and why. My email is below.
Receiving my first electric bill of $801.81 was a wake-up call. I now realize I was uninformed about the potential savings of using electricity during off-hours when the kilowatt price decreased. My rate for March was $314.88, April was $290.04, May was $288.12, and the beginning of June was $429.42. Then, my electric bill nearly doubled at the end of June. Understanding our electricity usage is crucial to managing our bills.
My average daily cost was $12.39 a year ago; in June 2024, it rose to $24.75. I note that the kilowatt hours used were 3,585 in June 2024 for a 32-day window and lower than a year ago during a 30-day window; however, my average daily cost for Georgia Power nearly doubled, moving from $12.39 to $24.75 per day in June and dropping slightly to $23.31 average daily cost in July.
Average Billing Option
I could use the average billing option, as I have previously, but now, based on personal preference, I pay based on the current month’s usage.
Using electricity during non-peak hours
We are charged for peak hours during June, July, and August; at least during those months, we should avoid using our washer, dryer, dishwasher, and air conditioning as they are major electricity users.
When are the peak hours?
It’s crucial to understand the peak hours. Peak Hours are Monday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. This knowledge has made me feel more informed about my electricity usage.
Georgia Power’s rates
Upon examining the rates charged by Georgia Power, I discovered that my electrical provider rates vary based on classification. Whether Secondary Distribution customers pay 6.8871 cents per kWh, Primary Distribution customers pay 6.5674 cents per kWh, or Transmission customers pay the lowest rate per On-Peak kWh of 6.5216 cents per kWh. While I couldn’t discern my price classification, I realized that I couldn’t control the classification but could control when I use electricity. This understanding has made me more proactive and responsible in planning my electricity usage to maximize savings.
Off-Peak kilowatt hours are significantly lower than peak hours. The rate for Secondary Distribution customers is 4.2398 cents per kWh, Primary Distribution customers are charged 4.1638 cents per kWh, and Transmission customers are charged 4.1348 cents per kWh. The differences between the three categories are based on the electrical service and whether Transmission customers pay the lowest rate, Primary Distribution pays more, and Secondary Customers pay the highest rate.
I encourage readers to look closely at the rates charged during the Peak Hours of May, June, and July between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and use the electrical appliances that use the most electricity during the Non-Peak Hours.
Communication With Georgia Power: Attempting to reach Georgia Power was a most unsatisfactory experience, at least for me. I could not get anyone through my calls, and the 1 (888) 660-5890 number was determined to route me to self-service, regardless of my desire to talk with a live human being who might have some sense of understanding, even without compassion. I suppose I will have to wait for that also.
Source: www.GeorgiaPower.com/support
Burton Fletcher, JD, MBA, is a writer, publicist, emeritus attorney, and retired full professor of business administration who enjoys writing and community service. He is active as a servant leader in the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, a Volunteer Leader and Board Member of the American Red Cross South Central District, and an active and enthusiastic member of Crossroads Baptist Church, where he was recently baptized. Burton is the president, founder, and executive director of The Burton Fletcher Foundation for Animals, Inc.,
www.BurtonFletcherFoundation.org. He can be reached at
Burton@BurtonFletcherFoundation.org.
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