Leaders from Maine’s two largest electricity companies are sharing cost-saving tips with their customers as they expect them to see higher bills during the recent cold stretch.
Central Maine Power spokesperson Jon Breed said that systems have to work harder in the cold, resulting in higher usage rates.
“That electric bill can go up in the cold temperatures because we’re just using more,” Breed said. “If the heat is escaping your home, it’s going to result in more usage.”
Breed encouraged customers to check with Efficiency Maine for help with weatherization and insulation work on homes to prevent heat from escaping. He also suggested the common tips of turning down the thermostat during the day and limiting the use of space heaters.
This month alone, Maine’s recorded low temperature was below 20 degrees Fahrenheit 19 times as of Jan. 27, 2025, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Breed said because bills arrive in the following month, many people will see their usage from the January billing period reflected in the February statements.
He urged customers to inform themselves about their electricity usage by enrolling in usage alerts, which customers can receive as text messages. In their accounts: customers can set targets for when they receive the alert, based on how much money or kilowatt hours of electricity they spend or use.
“If after you hit your target and you say, ‘well, I need to make some changes,’ those usage alerts will help guide you in the things you’re using around your home,” Breed said. “The power of knowledge is very important for our customers, and we want to give that tool to as many customers as we can.”
Both CMP and Versant offer multiple payment assistance programs. The companies encourage customers to call to figure out which program fits for them. The companies also freeze disconnection notices due to nonpayment from Nov. 15 to April 15. Breed warned that some customers do not pay their bills during that time, and then get stuck with a large bill in the spring.
“Customers won’t make payments for that entire period. And come April, they will have a bill that will not have been paid for six months. We look to avoid that when you can,” he said.
