Electricity remains a good value

Posted by Jeph Novak on March 2, 2022

Electricity remains a good value. While prices of gas and propane can fluctuate dramatically, electricity has historically remained stable and low. Wright-Hennepin (WH) works hard to keep costs low and pass the savings onto you, our member-owners, through low rates, capital credits and Energy-Saving Programs (ESPs).

In the last 5 years, the basic cost per kilowatt hour has changed only minimally. From 2017 – 2022, WH’s general service rate has changed from $0.094/kWh in 2017 to $0.095/kWh in 2022. Thanks to strategic planning and decision-making by your Board of Directors, we are proud to be able to deliver consistently low rates while maintaining reliability and best-in-class performance! In fact, from 2020 to 2021, the average monthly residential bill decreased from $134.77 to $133.30.

To illustrate just how low these rates are, let’s take a look at what a dollar of electricity can get you.

According to this energy use calculator, you can power your Wi-Fi router for just $0.53 per month, your TV for $1.83/month and your washing machine for just $3.65/month!* That’s the value of electricity at work in your life. 

*Prices calculated assuming 24-hour Wi-Fi router use, 5-hour TV use and 2-hour washing machine use. Actual prices may vary.

By taking a few simple steps, you can save energy and pay less for electricity – it all adds up! Here are a few energy efficiency tips for your consideration:

• Shut the lights off when they’re not in use. Consider using natural light during the day to brighten your rooms, and when you leave a room, don’t forget to shut off the lights!
• Unplug your devices. Even when they’re not in use, things like cell phone chargers, radios or coffee makers can still use energy when plugged in. Once you’re done using it, unplug it!
• Switch to LED lights. LED light bulbs use less energy than incandescent bulbs and last longer, too, meaning you don’t use as much energy, and you don’t need to buy new bulbs as often.

WH also offers programs to help reduce your energy usage and monthly bill even further. Rebates and programs for air conditioning, home heating, water heating and electric vehicle charging are available for members to take advantage of and save money. These programs are designed to allow WH to cycle members’ systems during times of peak demand. In turn, members receive a discount on their monthly bill. Interested in learning more or signing up for an ESP? Call us at (763) 477-3000 or head to our website to learn more! (https://www.whe.org/energy-savings-rebates.html)

WH is proud to provide great service and reliable power at affordable prices. This is all wrapped up as part of the cooperative advantage. When you set up an account at WH, you aren’t just signing up as a customer – you are a member-owner, meaning you are the beneficiary of the planning and care that your Board of Directors puts into delivering this essential service.