FAYETTEVILLE, Ark — With it being summer and so many people at home due to the coronavirus pandemic, many Arkansans are noticing higher electric bills.
Some say the higher bills are because people are at home more, but electric companies say it's due to hotter weather.
“Over the last five Junes, this has not been the biggest usage month out of those five months,” said Brandon Fisher from Arkansas Valley Electric.
A study from Arcadia, which was posted in USA Today, says people staying at home will see bill increases of 10-15%.
Arkansas Valley Electric says this can translate to higher bills if you are running the air conditioning while at home.
“The one thing that we do let folks know is the two biggest electric bowlers in your house are your hot water heater and your heating and air unit,” Fisher said.
“Before I leave for work, which is anywhere from 8 o’clock to 9 o’clock, I turn my AC up to 77 before I leave,” said Melissa Horn.
Horn does not work from home but says she does take measures to keep her electric bills from being high. She says if she was home all day, that might change things because she likes the indoor temperature around 73 degrees.
“If you’re continuously running that all day long where you’re comfortable and where your office is typically said that is going to increase it,” Horn said.
Arkansas Valley Electric says the change they have seen is bill payments. Fisher says they have people call them to find ways to cover the costs.
“We do have things in place over the last several months that we're willing to go the extra mile and help all of our members,” Fisher said.
Tips to lower those high electric bills include closing blinds, setting your thermostat to 78 degrees, which is recommended by Carroll Electric, and to turn off lights and fans when leaving the room.