About your Bill

Bill offers much information

Read it closely to better understand your costs

To answer the question of why the power bill is going up, co-op members must first understand what portion of the bill they actually have control over and can possibly reduce. Your monthly co-op statement is a good place to start.

The “total due now” section includes is the actual charge for electricity consumed by the home or business. It is this amount that the consumer has control over and can reduce both in the winter and summer by using energy-efficient practices around the home.

The cost of wholesale power has risen significantly and will probably continue to increase as electric companies spend millions of dollars to comply with federal emissions regulations. This enormous cost is passed on to every electricity-using consumer.

In the face of rising fuel and compliance costs, Marlboro Electric Cooperative continues to do its best to hold down the cost of service for its members. You also can hold down your costs by using energy wisely and being conservative.

Your co-op bill, by the numbers

  1. Account Number: This is your co-op account number. Please refer to this number when calling our office.
  2. Electric Bill Summary: Indicates previous and present meter readings and the kilowatt-hour usage for your current statement. This also gives current billing charges, previous statement charge, payments and adjustments on your account. Any additional services provided, such as a yard light, is included in this section also.
  3. Amount Due: Total monthly charge for your statement due upon receipt. The past due amount is also shown if payment is received after the due date shown in section seven.
  4. Power Use: This area shows your average kilowatt-hour usage and cost per day. It also shows your days of service for that period. You will be able to use the bar graph to determine your high and low months of usage.
  5. Messages and Important Information: Messages, announcements, notices and important information will be posted in these two boxes.
  6. Due Date: Deadline to pay the bill without a late fee.
  7. After Due Date: The total monthly charge plus a late fee if bill is not paid by the due date.
  8. Disconnect Date: The date your service will be disconnected if the bill is not paid.

What's watt

Some electrifying words to know:

Watt (abbreviated W) -- A basic unit of electrical power used for measuring work done.

Kilowatt (kW) -- 1,000 watts

Megawatt (MW) -- 1,000 kilowatts or 1 million watts.

Kilowatt Hour (kWh) -- A unit of work or energy equal to using 1,000 watts for one hour. Your bill is computed according to the number of kWhs you use.

Horsepower ( h.p.) -- A unit equal to 746 watts. Usually used to measure the power of motors.

Ampere (Amp) -- The measure of current flowing through a wire.

Voltage (Volt) -- The force which moves electric current through a conductor from the origin to the point of use.