Why is my energy bill higher than expected?
If your energy bill seems unexpectedly high, consider asking these questions to identify the cause.
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Was it unusually hot or cold?
During the summer and winter, your heating and cooling systems work overtime to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature, which naturally drives up energy use, even with a constant thermostat setting.To keep costs as low as possible, it's a good idea to make your home more energy efficient before extreme temperatures hit. Take a look at our energy efficiency resources for some actionable steps.
Have supply costs recently increased?
Payments toward the energy supply portion of the your bill go toward the cost of electricity and natural gas purchased from the companies that operate power plants and provide the supply of natural gas.
Have delivery rates increased?
Central Hudson's delivery rates, which fund the infrastructure and operations providing the safe and reliable delivery of energy, are fixed and determined in advance in a thorough regulatory and approval process.The “delivery” charge on your electric bill goes to the vast network of infrastructure, skilled workers, and complex systems that ensure power gets delivered from various power plants and generation sources to your home, safely and reliably. Learn more.
Have your usage habits changed?
Adding new appliances, increasing the usage of existing ones, or welcoming additional occupants into your home may cause an increase in your usage.Get the most out of each energy unit you pay for by using energy wisely and eliminating waste wherever possible. View energy savings tips to learn how.
Has your supplier changed?
Customers who rely on an Energy Service Company can opt for a fixed-rate agreement for supply charges. Note: your town may have enrolled you with an alternate energy supplier.
Did you have a budget bill adjustment?
Central Hudson reviews the Budget Bill balance every six months and adjusts the payment based on rates and usage. These reviews help make the final bill more consistent with regular payments.Your budget bill details are available on the Account Info page and the Billing & Payments page on your My Account. You can also refer to your most recently issued bill for your new monthly budget amount.
Is the billing period longer than usual?
The length of your billing cycle can vary, which may affect your total charges.Billing periods are listed on the front page of your bill.
Did you receive an estimated reading?
Although Central Hudson reads meters monthly now, estimated meter readings may be used in certain circumstances, such as instances where Central Hudson cannot access the meter to obtain a reading.
Was it unusually hot or cold?
To keep costs as low as possible, it's a good idea to make your home more energy-efficient before extreme temperatures hit. Take a look at our energy efficient resources for some actionable steps.
Have supply costs recently increased?
This paragraph indicates your average price of electricity per kWh for the billing period, exclusive of taxes and delivery charges.
Have delivery rates increased?
The “delivery” charge on your electric bill goes to the vast network of infrastructure, skilled workers, and complex systems that ensure power gets from the plant to your home, safely and reliably. Learn more.
Have your usage habits changed?
Get the most out of each energy unit you pay for by using energy wisely and eliminating waste wherever possible. View energy savings tips to learn how.
Has your supplier changed?
The “Total Electricity Cost” paragraph on your bill indicates your average price of electricity per kWh for the billing period, exclusive of taxes and delivery charges.
Did you have a budget bill adjustment?
Your budget bill details are available on the Account Info page and the Billing & Payments page on your My Account. You can also refer to your most recently issues bill for your new monthly budget amount.
Is the billing period longer than usual?
Billing periods are listed on the front page of the bill.
Did you receive an estimated reading?
Estimated readings are indicated with a lighter shade on your usage graph.
Are you experiencing a financial hardship?
We urge any customer who is experiencing a financial hardship to contact us as soon as possible. Together, we can explore every available resource and find a way forward.
If you or someone you know needs help, visit our Assistance Programs page or reach out to our customer service team directly.
At Central Hudson, we're here to help - because every home matters.
Still have questions?
We're here to help! Contact us for further assistance.