The official start of fall will be here soon, but sweltering temperatures are still in full effect. In fact, Kentucky is experiencing record-breaking highs this September.
According to the National Weather Service:
- Through the first 9 days of the month, this is the second hottest September on record in Louisville; an all-time September record, 99 degrees, was reached Sept. 10.
- Lexington set two all-time records: 100 degrees on Sept. 10 and 95 on Sept. 11
- Over the next week, six days are forecasted to be in the 90s.
- In terms of number of days in the 90s this summer (note: the “Meteorological Summer” runs from June 1 to Aug. 31):
- June – 7 days in the 90s
- July – 23 days in the 90s
- August – 19 days in the 90s
So, what does this mean for your utility bill? Prolonged heat can lead to higher energy use for our customers, because air conditioning units are forced to work overtime, even in the overnight hours.
Over time, all of the extra work by your A/C to keep your home cool and comfortable adds up and is reflected on your monthly utility bill.
To offset higher energy use, we encourage customers to follow some easy energy-saving tips to stay cool now and through the summer months.
The amount of energy needed to cool your home or business can rise significantly when summer-like temperatures grip the region, which ultimately impacts your energy bill. The National Weather Service data show temperatures for the month of September that are above normal, with highs near 90 degrees and lows in the 60s and 70s.
As a reference point to the weather’s impact on energy use, this weather calendar features the average temperature for each day in 2018 as well as the average temperature for the same day last year.
Why is my bill estimated sometimes? And what does that mean?
Meter readers physically collect the energy-usage information needed to calculate your bill from each meter. Occasionally, due to various circumstances, meter readers are unable to collect the necessary information, and we predict the amount of energy you would have used based on several factors, including usage from the previous year and current weather conditions.
Extreme temperatures may impact estimated bills. Learn more about how an estimated bill is calculated.
Programs available to assist customers in better managing their bill include:
Budget Payment Plan
Available assistance
We encourage you to contact us right away if you find yourself faced with a bill you don’t think you’ll be able to manage. We can help customers identify available programs that can help you manage your bills, as well as other area assistance programs and options available in the community.
LG&E customers should call 502-589-1444; KU customers should call 800-981-0600 Customers can also visit lge-ku.com/helpingyou to find more information on available resources.
