How you can save on your New Jersey electric bill this summer

Daniel Munoz, NorthJersey.com
Updated ·3 min read

Inflation has come down from its 40-year high seen just two years ago, but customers can still expect to pay more on their electric bills this summer, thanks to the state’s annual energy auction.

But there are ways New Jersey residents could shave dollars and cents off their bills. On average, New Jerseyans paid nearly $115 a month for their electricity, according to the financial advice website SmartAsset in a post from last August.

Why is my electric bill so high?

The new electric prices take effect in less than two weeks. That’s thanks to an auction by the state Board of Public Utilities that sets the wholesale electricity prices that the four electric utilities will pay and pass through to all New Jersey residential customers and small businesses who have not chosen a third-party electric supplier.

This year, residential customers will experience "a moderate increase in energy costs," said Christine Guhl-Sadovy, BPU president, in a statement. "Our primary goal remains to do what is in the best interest of ratepayers across New Jersey."

The monthly increases are as follows:

  • Atlantic City Electric: 4.8%, or $7.34, to $161.62

  • Jersey Central Power & Light: 8.6%, or $8.34, to $104.93

  • PSE&G: 6.2%, or $8.22, to $140.12

  • Rockland Electric: 3.6%, or $4.71, to $135.57.

To help save money on your bill, we've put together a guide on how to save during these next few months of hot weather.

What runs your electric bill up the most?

Dirty filters make the air conditioner work harder, so replace them monthly, according to Public Service Electric and Gas.

Meanwhile, ceiling fans work just as well and cost less to cool the house, PSE&G added.

Fans use as much as 90% less energy than an air conditioner, according to the state BPU.

“The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be,” reads the U.S Department of Energy website.

That means setting your thermostat higher when you’re away from the home or apartment during the warmer months, PSEG said.

"Keep your house warmer than normal when you are away, and lower the thermostat setting when you return home and need cooling," the Energy Department said. "A programmable thermostat allows you to do this automatically and without sacrificing comfort."

You should avoid placing lamps or TV sets near your air-conditioning or thermostat, the Energy Department said, because those appliances might react to the heat from the light.

You should also seal holes and cracks around doors and windows with caulk or weather-stripping material, to prevent warm air from leaking into your residence.

How to use less electricity

Timers and motion detectors ensure lights only use power when they’re needed, PSE&G said.

“Replace old appliances, including room air conditioners, with energy efficient options,” the state BPU said. “Replace old, inefficient, energy-sapping appliances (refrigerator, freezer, air conditioner, oven, etc.) with high efficiency models.”

The BPU also advised to keep the fridge at a constant temperature of 36 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit for “maximum effectiveness,” and the freezer at 15 degrees.

More commonly used items should be kept in one place in the refrigerator so the door would be kept open for a shorter period of time.

According to the BPU, LED lightbulbs will save $55 more in electricity costs than a traditional 100-watt CFL bulb, despite higher upfront costs.

Daniel Munoz covers business, consumer affairs, labor and the economy for NorthJersey.com and The Record.

Email: munozd@northjersey.com; Twitter:@danielmunoz100 and Facebook

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Tips to save electricity at home as summer starts