Customer Service Q&A

Why is my electric bill low one month and high the next?

Due to our company wide estimating procedures, Edison Sault personnel will read your meter every other month. The month your electric meter is not read, your usage will be estimated. We attempt to estimate your usage as accurately and conservatively as possible, so as not to estimate high or excessive usage. However, unforeseen changes in electric consumption, such as a change in the number of people living in the home, changes in electrical appliances, adding or removing electric heat units, we sometimes estimate incorrectly. In the month when your meter is read, all kilowatt-hour usage for the prior two months (last month’s estimate, plus the current month), will be recorded and billed. The current bill may then be higher, if the prior month’s estimate was too low.

How can I reduce my winter heating bills?  

Controlling the loss of heat from your home is the best method to reduce your winter heating costs.  Start by looking for drafts around doors and windows and use weather stripping to stop the cold outside air from entering your home.  Also, using heavy-weight or insulated curtains on your windows and closing them at night and on cold or windy days will reduce the heat escaping through the glass.  And, of course, adding more insulation to attic and walls.  Look for signs of ice building up on your roof.  If ice is forming that means heat is escaping and melting the snow.  Dialing down your thermostat will reduce heating costs, too.  A reasonable thermostat setting during the winter months is usually between 65-degrees and 68-degrees, but may require you and your family to dress warmer, such as wearing long-sleeve shirts, a sweatshirt and socks to keep your feet warm.

Will a portable electric space heater reduce my heating costs?

This is a good question and a challenging one to answer.  Suppose you have your home thermostat set at 70-degrees so you are comfortable sitting in your living room in the evening.  Using a portable electric space heater in the living room during the evenings could reduce your heating costs if you then dialed down the thermostat 4-5 degrees and reduce the temperature in the rest of your home.  But, remember, the electric heater will raise your monthly electric bill by 10-12 cents/hour the heater is running.   Portable electric space heaters are meant to be run for short periods of time when extra “comfort” heat is needed, and should never be left running while you are sleeping or not at home.

Can I have my meter read EVERY month?

No. However, we can supply you with meter reading cards. With these cards, you may read the meter yourself and mail the card reading to our Office for the month scheduled to be estimated. Upon receiving the reading card, our billing staff will use the provided reading instead of an estimate. Additionally, we offer a "budget" billing plan which gives you twelve (12) equal monthly payments based on the average of your prior year’s total billings.

How can I reduce my winter heating bills?

Are there any account transfer fees, or meter turn-on fees?

Assuming you have no outstanding balances with Edison Sault Electric Company, we do not charge any service fees for transferring or turning-on a new account. However, business and commercial accounts may be required to pay a deposit or furnish current letters of credit.

Why do I get my electric bill at the beginning of the month and my friends or relatives receive their bills later in the month?

Due to the large number of accounts being billed each month, we read meters, generate and mail bills throughout the month. Each billing group or cycle is related to a specific geographic area within the communities we serve. You will receive your monthly bill within a few days of the date your meter was read. Other people living in different communities, or even across town, will receive their monthly billings a few days after the date the meters in their area were read by our personnel.

How can I tell if my bill is estimated or not?

In the middle portion of your bill, there is a line which starts with the meter number, reading across on that line, there is a reading code column. An ‘R’ indicates and actual reading, and an ‘E’ indicates an estimated billing.

Other than mailing a payment, are there other ways to pay my electric bill?

Yes. Edison Sault Electric Company has made arrangements with many banks and credit unions in our service territory to accept our customers’ payments. Just bring your payment stub to one of these locations along with your payment and they will forward the payment to us. Here is a complete list of the locations accepting payments for Edison Sault Electric Company.

Does Edison Sault Electric Company offer different residential rates, such as discounted rates for electric heating customers?

No. All residential rates for Edison Sault Electric Company customers are the same.

My meter has been on my house for years, and I’ve noticed my bills are getting higher, is the meter worn out and I need to have it replaced?

Although it’s true that meters can wear out, break down, or malfunction, it very rarely causes an increase in your electric bill. Meters are mostly mechanical devices, and will occasionally slow-down or jam and stop recording the full amount of electricity flowing into a home. The increases in your monthly electric bill are more likely do to other appliances within your home. In the summer, freezers, de-humidifiers, air conditioners, and refrigerators use more energy to keep up against the warmer weather. In the winter months, watch for such things as portable heaters, plumbing heat tape, waterbed heaters, and longer showers on cold winter mornings which can all contribute to increasing your electric bill.

What are the monthly charges on my electric bill?

All residential electric bills include a monthly service fee (minimum bill) of $3.40 per meter, and all general/commercial electric bills include a monthly service fee (minimum bill) of $7.40 per meter. Additionally, each meter includes charges for the kilowatt-hours recorded on the meter and sales tax.

Are there options available to customers who travel during the winter or own cabins which are closed during the winter?

Yes. Edison Sault Electric Company has a "Seasonal" program which limits the rendering/mailing of electric bills to only those months of the year in which kilowatt-hours are recorded on the meter. During the months no usage is recorded, the monthly meter charge is carried-over until the next time an actual bill with usage is mailed. If you would like more information about our seasonal program, please contact our Customer Service Department.

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Last modified: May 01, 2008