MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Following a period of punishing winter weather, residents in Rutherford County and across Middle Tennessee are beginning to see the financial fallout on their monthly electric statements. Amy Byers, the Public Relations Coordinator for Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE), warns that the majority of members should prepare for significantly higher bills due to the extreme cold snap that gripped the region from mid-January through early February.
The recent billing period captured a perfect storm of energy-draining conditions, including an intense ice storm and prolonged sub-freezing temperatures. For many MTE members, this combination resulted in a dramatic spike in kilowatt-hour (kWh) usage as heating systems—particularly electric heat pumps—struggled to maintain indoor comfort. Byers told WGNS the first thing you should do when the bill arrives – is to look at the billing period in comparison with the colder weeks experienced locally…
The “Emergency Heat” Factor – One of the primary drivers behind the rising costs is the increased reliance on “emergency” or “auxiliary” heat…..