First, make sure you are comparing apples to apples when looking at your bill and usage. You need to compare the same months, take into consideration temperature fluctuations in the compared months, and make sure you are comparing two months where the rate is the same. As we announced in the winter of 2024, a rate increase went into effect in April 2024. It was the first rate increase in nearly six years for IEC members. IEC continues to have some of the lowest rates in the state. The board took into consideration the dramatic rise in the cost of materials, equipment and a rate increase from our power supplier and determined the cooperative couldn't continue to absorb the rising expenses without increasing rates.

You can read about our 2024 rate increase here and a breakdown of power costs across the nation.

“Why does my bill go up when it’s cold outside?”

When record-setting cold temperatures hit the area, most of us stay indoors and look for ways to stay warm. This can mean you may see higher-than-normal electric bills the following month.

• It’s a frigid fact that you use more energy in cold weather.
• Most people spend more time at home in the cold weather, thus using more energy.
• It gets darker outdoors earlier in the winter, causing more electricity use indoors.
• Your heating system works much harder to keep your home comfortable in cold weather. Even if you don’t change your thermostat setting, it runs longer to heat your home. And if it’s an older furnace or heat system, it may have to work harder to keep you warm enough to combat those bone-chilling temperatures we experienced.
• Even gas heating systems use electricity to power the fan and distribute the warm air.
• Chances are, you took more hot showers, baths, and used more hot water in general.
• You may have also used space heaters and electric blankets more than usual, which can consume a lot of energy when left on for hours.
• Inadequate insulation does not keep the warmth inside, nor does it keep the cold outside.

Monitor your energy use through SmartHub to see where spikes occur

To monitor your energy use and set up alerts for when your usage is high, use our account manager account, SmartHub. Create an account, either on a desktop or download the free mobile app. In SmartHub, you can view your yearly, monthly, daily, or even hourly electric use. This can help you see when you use a normal amount of energy and when your energy usage spikes. By monitoring your usage closely, you can identify what you did differently to make your usage go up or down. Changing your behavior around those spikes can help you save on your bill. You can even set energy use alerts that notify you when you go over a preset amount. Learn more about SmartHub here.

Take advantage of our energy calculators

Break down each appliance and see how much you are spending on each. Use the energy calculator here.

Speak with our energy experts or schedule an energy audit

If you are concerned about your electric bill, call us at 918-295-9500 to speak with our energy auditor. We may be able to recommend specific solutions to help with your electric bills and suggest  DIY home improvements you can make for improved energy efficiency. In the wintertime especially, a leaky house can cost you a LOT in heating bills, as your warm air leaks out and frigid air comes in through cracks around your windows, doors, attic cover and more. IEC also offers low-interest home improvement loans through USDA funding, which you can pay back over 10 years on your electric bill. We estimate the amount of energy savings you will experience due to improved efficiency will be equal to or greater than the cost of the loan. Learn more about the Energy Saver Program here .

Save with Rebates and Incentives

IEC provides rebates and incentives to our residential members for various energy-efficient equipment purchases and upgrades. Rebates are for new ENERGY STAR certified equipment. Current rebates and incentives include Geothermal, Heat Pump, Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump, Air Conditioning Rebate, Smart Thermostat, Water Heater, Electric Vehicle - Level 2 Charger, Insulation, New Home Construction, Reduced Electric Rate, and Tax incentives. Learn more about rebates here.

Budget/Average Billing

Take the guesswork out of budgeting for your monthly utility expenses. Our convenient budget billing averages your annual energy use and then distributes this total cost across 12 months, eliminating the hassle of predicting your monthly expenses. Call 918-295-9500  to request average billing if you are a member. Unfortunately, this option is not available to prepay accounts, as a deposit for a membership needs to be on file.