Quick answer: Winter bills rise mainly because of heating. Heat pumps switch to backup electric heat strips in very cold weather, which can use 5 to 10 kW; a 10 kW strip running 4 hours a day costs about $7.28 a day at the US average rate. Space heaters, colder water for the water heater, longer nights and more time indoors add the rest.
The main causes
Heat pump backup (“auxiliary” or “emergency”) heat
Heat pumps move heat efficiently, delivering 2 to 4 units of heat per unit of electricity. When it is very cold, or when the thermostat is turned up by several degrees at once, many systems switch on electric resistance strips that convert electricity to heat one to one. If your thermostat often shows “AUX” or “EM HEAT”, that is likely the cause.
Fix: avoid large setbacks with heat pumps, raise the temperature in small steps, and have the system checked if backup heat runs on mild days.
Electric furnaces and baseboard heaters
These heat with resistance elements all the time. A 15 kW electric furnace running 6 hours a day uses 90 kWh, about $16.38 a day.
Space heaters
A 1,500 W heater for 8 hours a day adds about $65.52 a month. See space heater costs.
Water heating
Incoming water is colder in winter, so an electric water heater needs more energy to bring it up to temperature, and hot showers tend to get longer.
Lighting, holiday lights and time indoors
Longer evenings, holiday displays and more time at home all add a little. Incandescent holiday lights add more than LED: holiday light costs.
Drying laundry
Fewer chances to line-dry outside means more dryer cycles.
What to do about it
- Lower the thermostat a little and wear warmer clothes; the Department of Energy suggests 68°F while you are awake at home.
- Seal draughts around doors, windows and attic hatches.
- Zone-heat carefully: a space heater in one room only saves money if you also turn the central heating down.
- Use an electric blanket instead of heating the bedroom all night: about $0.15 a night.
- Ask about budget billing to spread winter costs across the year.
- Check for help: LIHEAP and utility programs can help eligible households with heating bills.
Still unsure where the energy goes? Work through the 15 most common causes.
A real example: the January bill shock
A household with a heat pump normally uses about 900 kWh in October. In January, a cold snap makes the heat pump call for its 10 kW backup strip for 4 hours a day. That alone adds 1,200 kWh in a month, about $218.40 at the US average rate. Add a 1,500 W space heater in the basement for 4 hours a day (180 kWh, about $32.76), and the bill can easily double compared with autumn, even though nothing seems to have changed.
How to tell what pushed your winter bill up
- Compare the kWh used, not just the dollar amount, with the same month last year.
- Check whether your rate per kWh or fixed charges changed.
- Look at your thermostat history if you have a smart thermostat: long periods of “aux” or “emergency” heat are the usual cause with heat pumps.
- Count the hours any space heaters or heated mattress pads were in use.
- Remember that winter months often have more billing days and more time spent at home during holidays.
More questions readers ask
Is it normal for my electric bill to double in winter?
In all-electric homes with electric heating, yes, it is common. In homes heated with gas, a doubling usually points to a space heater, a fault or a rate change.
Can my utility spread the cost?
Most US utilities offer budget or level billing, which averages your bills over the year. It does not lower the total, but it avoids large winter bills.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver guidance on heat pumps and thermostat settings.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Short-Term Energy Outlook.
- Our methodology.